I've been looking around lately for a pretty camera bag that was cute and functional. Unfortunately, "cute and functional" on a camera bag also means expensive. Here's a bag that I loved. I wasn't, however, loving that price. I've seen other bags for that much and even going up into the hundreds of dollars. No thanks. I don't want "cute and functional" that bad.
So, like I do with many problems like these, I made my own. :o) Now, I only made the insert on this bag. The bag itself is just a standard purse that I bought at Ross. Nothing fancy. But I love it! It's the perfect size and will hold my camera and all its accessories. And I definitely think it's cute and functional.
(And I do apologize for the icky quality of the photos. I had to use my old point and shoot. Am I glad I have my DSLR now!)
I lucked out since foam was on sale at JoAnn at 50% off when I went. So I paid about $5 for 1 yard of 1/2 inch foam. The fabric I bought was 30% off and cost me about $5 for one yard (and I even have a little left over for another project!). Add in $1 more for velcro and my supplies came to $11! Love that price!
(I also love all the scribble marks on my cutting mat. We have a budding artist in our family.)
Sewing this bag together was very similar to sewing bumper pads for a crib, just with smaller dimensions (and no crib ties, obviously!) The insert is completely removable. It just drops right into my bag. I can take it out and could even put it in a different bag if I wanted to (provided it fit). The sides are all 1/2 foam. I doubled up on the foam at the bottom of the insert so it would be extra padded.
I have five padded dividers, two small and three large. Each have velcro in strategic places so I can move them wherever I need them to be in my bag.
You can see that the extra lens I have fits perfectly in my little sectioned spot. And see that little section below it? Hopefully I will be putting a (new to me) lens there soon. I'm in the market for a 50mm f/1.7 lens. (Wish me luck on ebay today!)
So the next thing I will be working on for it is some kind of shoulder strap that I can attach onto it. That way I can easily carry it around while outdoors and I don't have to worry about someone trying to take it. And I love that this bag is a regular purse that comes with other extra pockets inside. I can just throw my keys, wallet, phone, gum, chapstick...whatever in there with my camera stuff and go! Simplifying is always a good thing.
Happy crafting!
