How to Make a Camera Bag Insert

I know I have repeatedly shared links to awesome designers that have fantastic camera bags.  They are gorgeous.  Let’s face it, though.  Not all of us can (or want) to drop around $200 for a camera bag.  I have a camera case.  It looks like this.

It works very well keeping my gear protected.  But I cannot carry that with me all of the time.  So here is how to turn any bag into a camera bag.

You will need an empty cereal box (not really required, but helps for extra sturdiness), glue, 1 yard of fabric (I used flannel), scissors, marker, 1/2 yard of 1/2 inch thick foam.  If you sew, great then you just need basic sewing tools like thread and pins.  If you don’t sew, you can use hot glue or fabric glue.  I recommend some pins just to be safe.

First cut out a piece of the cereal box the size you want your insert.  It helps to place it in the bag and put it up to your camera to make sure.  I have a big bag and a big camera, so mine pictured above is about 12 inches long and 9 inches high.  Now you can use the side of the cereal box as your side pieces, but check the height and width of your camera to make sure it will fit.  I have a 7D and my camera is just too big to handle that width.  So I just cut wider pieces for the sides.

Now lay your pieces onto the foam and draw around the cardboard.  Now cut out all of your foam pieces.  If you plan on using the board inside your insert, then you need to glue the board to your foam.  I used hot glue.  The foam can stand well on its own and you may decide the board makes the insert too bulky, so it is not required.  I am just freakishly protective of my camera.

Next lay your foam pieces on top of your fabric.  Your fabric should still be folded in half like it came when you bought it.  DO NOT cut the fabric the same size as your foam!  You will want to leave an inch allowance on every side. 

Sew or adhere your fabric together.  Remember: the right sides together.  So if you have a print, you need to sew/glue the correct sides facing each other.  Just sew 3 sides of each piece together.  Turn the pieces inside out (this makes them actually right side out).  Now slip each piece into the fabric sleeves.  Sew or glue shut.

When you have all of your pieces in their sleeves you can take the bottom middle piece and pin the two large side pieces to it.  The extra fabric you allowed on the sides will work great to allow for this seam.  Remember corresponding sides together.  If you are using the board, you want to make sure the padding is on the inside and the board is on the out.  I pinned mine so the seam where I sew (or glue) will be on the outside.  It will help the insert maintain its shape.

Now sew/glue the big sides on.  Then attach the end pieces.  I don’t have pictures of me sewing, sorry. 

I did make a divider, too.  I used a piece of cardboard and foam the same width as the insert.  You can adjust the height.  I made mine a tad taller to compensate for a longer lens to be carried in the insert, too.  I cut out fabric allowing the extra space on the sides, but added enough space at one end to put a “lid”.  So I made a really long fabric sleeve and put the divider foam into it.  Then I added a square piece of foam.  I sewed it shut and then pushed the foam apart and made a seam. 

       

Here is the insert with my divider.

I also made my camera a weird little pillow.  I just took two pieces of scrap foam and then made a fabric cover for them.  Now I can lay my camera on its side with the lens attached and not worry about pressure being put on the mount. 

Here is my camera inside the insert.  I have the divider in there along with another lens.

Here is my insert inside my tote.

So there is my nice new “camera” bag, that doesn’t have to stay a camera bag.  I got a big tote because I wanted to be able to carry my camera and still carry all of my regular purse/diaper bag stuff.  I got this tote at Target for $29.99.  The materials for the insert cost less than $10. 

The best part is that any bag I own (or come across and a thrift store) can now become a camera bag.  Oh, and then un-become a camera bag.  I am going to make another insert that is smaller to just carry my camera without extra space for another lens.  At this price I can make a bunch! 

I hope you enjoy this.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions at all.