A Step Inside

For the longest time I’ve eyed the Shootsac camera lens/gear bag, but at $179 for an accessory type bag, I never bit the bullet to buy one.. Don’t get me wrong, I think investing in good, quality camera bags for a heft price is a must, however, this one wasn’t the most complicated bag, so I held off..

Here are some of my other favorite bags that I use constantly though.. They all are great, but w/ different purposes and scenarios;  Yeah, I like bags
Epiphanie- she’s a beauty.. Camera bag/purse… LOVE!  ~Belle~
Canon backpack:  great for ALL my gear when doing weddings
Crumpler 7 mil home
Tamrac Velocity 6x

Back to the purpose of the post.. I have a bag that I carry on me when shooting weddings, but I found it wasn’t holding the lenses like I had hoped, and because a ball of bulk.. I love the sleekness of the Shootsac, and the ability to quickly swap out lenses.. So I searched for some DIY ones, and found a couple of links (like here).  They were helpful in getting me started, but some of the process was a “learn as you go”.. I’m a visual person, so I need good instruction pics

Here are the supplies:
two 13.3 laptop sleeves (made of neoprene) from Target: $10.00 ($5/e)
sew on velcro: $3.49
heavy duty thread: $2.40
Fabric for cover 1 yd (could have used 1/2 though): $2.79
Strap adjusters: $1.49
1in nylon strapping: $3.39
white fabric pencil (optional): $1.69
heavy duty needles: $2.19
TOTAL: $27.44 …. not bad!

Here are the steps I used;

I marked lines using the white fabric pencil for the “dividers” onto both laptop sleeves.  Two rows for one, creating 3 pockets, and one row on the other, creating 2 pockets.. Sew these lines on each sleeve individually.  I purposedly did not go all the way to the top, that I could slide my lenses out easily.

Then it’s time to sew both sleeves together.. Line them up, and stitch together right below the zipper line.  I did this so that I could still zip both sides.  (some people sew together and cover w/ bias tape, but then you cannot zip either sleeve) Then about an 1/8th of an inch small stitch on the side, and bottom corners to keep the bag from separating while worn.

After that, I sewed the D-rings on by creating a loop w/ about an inch & 1/2 of the nylon strap (cut to size).  I sewed one on each end, and in between the two sleeves, just above my stitching where they were sewn together.
Next just finish up the attaching the straps, and strap adjuster.

Last step was to make a cover, which is completely optional.. I sewed a line of velcro on the outter sleeve, and on the inside of the cover flap I made.  I layed my material over the bags to use as a guide, then cut to size.  Sewed it inside out, then flipped right side out and did a decorative stitch along the edging.  Attached by velcro, and viola!  This size is just perfect, and fits my 70-200L lens perfectly in the center..

I was really pleased w/ how it turned out.. My sewing machine was giving me some grief, but once I borrowed my mama’s, it was smooth sailing… Not bad for an ameature seamstress! lol

And a view while on my hip..