So, I love my camera, my good Canon, so I want to take care of it. So I have a great camera bag. It hold everything for my camera: cords, books, lenses, even the video camera. The only problem is its BIG and BULKY and it does not fit in the bottom of the stroller, AND its a pain to lug around. I have a case for my video camera that the DSLR fits it, but that's all I can carry, just my camera with attached lens. And neither of them are very cute ...
So I started looking into camera bag purses, and they are ADORABLE! But, have a ginormous price tag on them that I really cannot justify. So, being the oh so creative person I am (somewhat creative, but really cheap...) I Googled it. And got lucky. There were TONS of different tutorials to make your own. I really liked this one on tatertots & jello, and this one on Vanilla &Lace. Two different approaches, Two Super cute results!
So then I went on a search for a bag....
Well, not really a search, but I kept my eyes peeled for the last few months, looking for a bag that would work, ( for the project and the budget!)
I was at the Thrift Store looking for some things for ANOTHER project, and I walked past the row of purses, and I thought, "Why Not?" and I found this one...
Nothing spectacular, but cute, had a great base, easily cleanable and was in pretty good shape.
3 reasons I REALLY liked it?
1. It had room for camera, lenses AND purse necessities.
2. It had a zipper pocket on the inside, and two pockets on the outside.
3. The price...$7.99!
So then I rounded up the rest of the supplies.
Some foam, sticky Velcro, thread, material, and two sided tape.
I really like the lining of the bag, nice and bright. So I wanted to Follow the Tutorial about splitting the lining and working with it, like the one on tatertots & jello. And I lucked out and found this material in Walmart. One little block section was all that was required!
So first, I split the seam down the middle with a seam ripper.
Then I measured the base, length and width. Then up the sides about 6 inches.
I cut the foam accordingly, keeping the base about 1/2 inch smaller so that the side pieces would fit and not be too snug.
I was using 1 inch foam, and I think it was a little too thick. So I left it for the bottom, to give extra support, and for the two long sides, and two short sides, I split the foam in half.
Then I used my double sided tape to stick the foam in the bottom and along the sides. I found that the purse itself was quite sturdy and I didn't need to add cardboard, or plastic to reinforce. It would totally depend on the bag and the type of foam you used.
Then I hand stitched up the seam. I suppose you could use a sewing machine, but I didn't feel like it. And, with the extra padding under it, I had to take it in a bit to make up for the slack.
I measured 2 pieces of foam for the dividers. Then I took my cutesy material, measured them to cover the foam pieces, and wrapped and used the two sided tape to glue and hem the ends. The ends were a little longer than the foam. Approximately the width of the Velcro, so you get a little 'hinge' effect when its in the bag.
Again, you could totally use a sewing machine and make nice little pockets, but I was feeling lazy, and in a bit of a rush. (I was too excited to get this done!)
Then I stuck the 'rough' side of the velcro to the divider. That way, if I ever feel like not using one of the dividers, you don't have the 'scratchy' part on the inside of the bag!
I put the 'softer' side of the Velcro inside the purse. I used one divider on each end and saved the middle for the camera.
And with the 'hinge' effect of the flaps on the dividers, it kind of hugs your equipment.
So I have a pocket for the video camera, or an additional lens...
And everything fits in so nice, with room for a wallet. So when I head to the rink, or the zoo, or wherever I'm trying to capture our lives...
I have all my stuff, safe and protected...
And looking pretty dang cute!!
