Yoga mats come in various sizes and shapes, As a result a yoga bag pattern needs to be customisable to suite the mat. Here is the perfect pattern for ANY yoga mat!

Supplies

· Material to make your bag from (about 1 – 1.5 meters will be required, see calculating your material requirements below to be sure), cotton, polycotton or other similar materials will be suitable. · 25 cm zipper. · Matching cotton. · Material scissors. · Measuring tape. · Dressmakers chalk (or pen; a pencil can also work). · Pins. · A safety pin. · Sewing machine.

Step 1: Calculating Your Material Requirements

This pattern is customisable to suit any yoga-mat. Some mats are wider and others are thicker (so also roll up thicker). I will explain below how to measure your mat and then calculate your pattern piece sizes to suit your specific yoga mat.

1. Measure the length of the rolled mat as shown in Photo 1, (Measurement A). In the example below this measurement is 60cm.

2. Measure around the rolled circumference of your mat as shown in Photo 2, (Measurement B). In the example below, this measure is 40cm.

3. The bag must always be a little bit bigger than your mat so that you can easily get your mat into the bag, I have added a 10cm allowance for this, (Measurement C). Measurement C will depend on your preference.

4. Lastly, we must account for the seam allowance. I have worked with a 2cm seam allowance per side, (Measurement D.)

5. Calculating the size of the bag base piece:

· The base piece is cut square (we will turn it into a circle later).

· The length and width are therefore equal to the diameter of the bag circle size.

· Base piece = (B+C+D) ÷ 3.14 (round the answer upwards to nearest whole number).

· Therefore in my example: Base piece = (40+10+4) ÷ 3.14 ≈18cm.

· The base piece in the example is therefore 18 x 18cm in size.

6. Calculating the size of the main bag piece:

· Length of main bag piece = A + 0.5x(base piece) + 6cm + 2xD

· Therefore in the example = 60 + 0.5x18 + 6 + 2x2 = 60 + 9 + 6 + 4 = 79cm

· Width of the main bag piece = B+C+D.

· Therefore in the example = 40+10+4 = 54cm

· The main bag piece for the example will be 79cm x 54cm in size.

7. Calculating the size of the bag straps:

· The bag straps should be at least the length of the main bag piecex3

· Therefore in the example = 79x3 = 237cm long.

· The bag straps are 10cm wide.

· Therefore the bag straps for the example should be 237cm x 10cm in size.

· This will be cut as three pieces of 79cm x 1cm and joined.

· If you prefer longer straps, you can make then the width of the material x 3.

8. The strap attachment piece is 10cm x 20 cm (does not change as bag size changes.

9. The cell phone pouch piece is 30cm x 30 cm in size (does not change as bag size changes.

Step 2: Planning the Material Requirement

Now that you have your bag piece requirements, you need to calculate material requirements. The pieces are as follows (using my calculated measurements, substitute with yours if they differ):

1. Main bag piece: 79cm x 54cm.

2. Bag base piece: 18cm x 18cm.

3. Straps 237cm x 10 cm (or three pieces of 79cm x 10cm).

4. Strap attachment piece: 10cm x 20 cm.

5. Cellphone pouch piece: 30cm x 30cm.

I have based my calculations on material with a width of 115cm.

Place the pieces on a scale diagram and add up the values to confirm your material requirements.

As seen in the diagram 84cm of material will be required. You would need to purchase 90cm or 1 meter of material depending on your local material store rules.

Step 3: Making Your Bag Measuring and Cutting

1. Measure and mark your material as per your bag size Photo 3a and 3b

2. Cut out all the pieces. Photo 4.

Step 4: Making Your Bag - Main Bag

1. Start with the main bag piece and turn up a hem on the width of the bag, zigzag this hem. Photo 5

2. With right sides together, pin the main bag piece lengthways to itself. Mark 7cm from the hemmed side. Sew along this side, leaving the last 7cm open. (do not turn it out). Photo 6 and 7

3. Turn up the hem on the 7cm remaining piece and zigzag closed. Photo 8 and 9

4. Fold down the 7cm piece on itself against the wrong side of the material (you will be making the tube for the drawstring part of the bag). Ensure that the unsewn ends are open. Sew around the bag to close the tube. Photo 10, 11, 12

Step 5: Making the Strap Attachment Piece

1. To prepare the strap attachment piece, fold it in half lengthways (right sides together) and sew along the long side. Photo 13 and 14

2. Turn it out (Video and Photo 15) and fold it in half and pin it together – you will sew it in the base.

Step 6: Preparing the Bag Base Piece for Attachment

1. To attach the bag base piece, you first need to mark the base with eight pins – mark halfway down in straight side and halfway between each of these pins. Photo 16,17,18,19

2. Mark the base of the main bag piece with pins in eight sections (lie it flat, and mark either end, mark halfway between these and again halfway between each of these). Photo 20

3. With right sides together, pin the base to the main bag piece, start on the straight sides of the base and then stretch the material flat again the base piece and pin at the halfway marks, you will have the corners of the square sticking out. Photo 21,22

Step 7: Preparing the Strap Attachment Piece for Attachment

1. Fold the strap attachment piece in half, Photo 23

2. Pin the strap attachment piece in-between the base piece and main bag piece - this must be attached at the seam of the main bag piece. Photo 24

Step 8: Sewing the Main Bag

1. The base piece is now pinned to the main bag piece with the strap attachment piece wedged in between Photo 25,26

2. Sew the base piece onto the main bag piece as you have pinned it. Photo 27

3. Trim the corners away. Photo 28

4. Turn out the bag. Now only straps and cell phone pouch to go!

Step 9: Making the Strap

1. To make the straps, sew the three pieces together to make one long strap piece. Photo 29

2. Sew the strap piece lengthways with right sides together. Photo 30

3. Turn out the strap piece. As the strap piece is so long, this may take a while, but be patient it will be worth it to make your matching straps! Photo 31

4. Sew the ends of the straps closed.

Step 10: Making the Cellphone Pouch

1. To make the cell phone pouch – pin the front of the zip to the right side of the pouch piece and sew. Photo 32

2. Pin the front of the zip to the other right side of the pouch and sew. Photo 33

3. Sew the sides of the pouch piece closed (make sure your zip is open first!) and trim any excess material. Photo 34

4. Trim the edges and zigzag seam closed. Photo 35 and 36

5. Turn out the cell phone pouch.

Step 11: Putting It All Together

1. Attach the cell phone pouch to your desired position at the top of the bag and sew it firmly on. Photo 37

2. Attach the safety pin to one end of the strap and thread it through the strap tube. Pull it through until the straps are evenly spread. Photo 38, 39, 40

3. Tie the straps to the strap attachment piece. Photo 41