Reusing, recycling and repurposing is not only thrifty and yogic, but as Sewing.org reminds, it is the right thing to do for the Earth. By using an old pair of pants, you can choose almost any material that you like, plus have a leg left over to make a mat bag for a friend. Try secondhand stores if you do not have at least a women's size 8 pair of pants with a 30-inch inseam around the house.
Step 1
Iron your pants.
Step 2
Cut one of your pant legs off just below the inseam (where the pant legs meet).
Step 3
Turn the pant leg inside out.
Step 4
Measure out 30 inches of pant leg, then trim off the excess.
Step 5
Choose one end to sew up. Measure in from at least a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch from the edge. Sew straight across one way, then the other. Make sure that your pant leg is inside out.
Step 6
Fold the non-sewn side down 1 inch to make space for the drawstring cord.
Step 7
Sew the seam down 3/4 of one inch down from the top.
Step 8
Cut in a 1/2 inch slit into the drawstring cord area.
Step 9
Turn your pant leg outside out.
Step 10
Measure out how much strap you want. You will be sewing a simple strap to hang over your shoulder using the webbing material. Your yoga bag will hang straight down at your side. A 30-inch strap is usually comfortable, but may be too long if you are petite.
Step 11
Sew one end of the webbing onto one side of your yoga mat bag and the other to the opposite side. Sew a 1-inch box shape almost to the edge of the strapping, then an "X" shape inside the box to reinforce. Sew the strap on below your drawstring seam.
Step 12
Place one end of your drawstring cord through the middle of a closed safety pin.
Step 13
Slowly move the safety pin through the drawstring cord tunnel, using one hand to guide from the outside and the other to do so from the opening. Once you reach the other side, remove the safety pin and pull the cord until it is the same length on each end.
Step 14
Place each end of your drawstring cord into the drawstring cord lock. Trim excess to taste, leaving enough room to tie knots in the ends of the drawstring. Be sure to leave enough length in your drawstring so you can comfortably access your yoga mat.
Step 15
Spray or squeeze drops of anti-fray onto the edges of your drawstring cord tunnel, if necessary.
Tips and Warnings
- Try using old purse straps or a belt for your yoga mat bag strap to repurpose more material around the house. Use a pair of pants with leg pockets so that your mat bag has built-in storage areas.
- Put your rolled up yoga mat inside your pant leg to make sure it is a comfortable fit before you start.
Things You'll Need
- Iron and ironing board
- Pair of pants
- Scissors
- Sewing machine (optional)
- Thread
- Thick sewing machine or sewing needle
- Webbing material, 1 1/2- or 2-inch width
- Drawstring cord,1/8 or 1/4 inch diameter
- Safety pin
- Drawstring cord lock
- Anti-fray spray or drops
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