Free yoga mat bag sewing pattern

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Arrive to your next class cool, calm and collected with Leanne Garrity's effortless yoga mat bag sewing pattern.

You’ve booked your exercise class, you’ve sewn your handmade gym shorts and duffle bag to store your toiletries in, now you just need to get to class. But how do you transport your trusty yoga mat, we hear you cry? Well, Leanne Garrity is here to save the day and keep your yoga mat free from dirt, spills, and gross bottom-of-the-gym-bag dust.

Leanne’s free yoga mat bag sewing pattern is really easy to make and can be quickly slung over your shoulder as you run to class. It’s a great stash buster because it can be made using any material, leftover fabrics, or fat quarters you have in your cupboard. You could even embroider your new yoga bag with your initials so it doesn’t get lost, or whip one up for a sporty friend.

There’s no reason why you can’t use Leanne’s yoga mat bag sewing pattern for alternative uses, too. Why not store your camping mat inside and easily transport your mat to your festival campsite? Or use it to carry rolled-up towels to the beach? The possibilities are endless!

If you’re new to sewing, don’t worry, this yoga mat bag pattern is still for you. Just head to our sewing for beginners guide and how to use a sewing machine tutorial first to pick up all the tips and tricks you need. Now it’s over to Leanne and her fab free yoga mat bag sewing pattern.

Free yoga mat bag sewing pattern

You will need:

1m fabric (plus 1m of lining fabric if your outer fabric is thin)
1m long cord (5mm thick)
Pencil
Measuring tape
Safety pin
Ruler
Other sewing notions

Step 1

Cut out: 71 x 51cm for the bag body, 81 x 10cm for the strap and 15cm diameter circle (circumference of 51cm) for the bag base. If your fabric is thin, cut out the same shapes from lining fabric, sew shapes wrong sides together using a 3mm seam allowance.

Step 2

Fold the strap fabric piece in half along the width, right sides facing. Sew a straight stitch along the long edge and one short edge using a 1cm seam allowance. Use a knitting needle to turn. Press and topstitch the sewn edge with 6mm seam allowance. Set aside.

Step 3

Serge/zigzag stitch one short edge of the large fabric piece. Fold and tuck a 5mm narrow flap of fabric in the top left and right hand corners, pin and straight stitch. Fold a 2.5cm hem (tuck edge under), top stitch 3mm in leaving a 2cm opening for the cord.

Step 4

Pin strap to right side of long edge: 12.7cm from bottom and 15.2cm from top (make sure it’s not twisted). Fold widthways, right sides facing (strap should be inside). Straight stitch from base of opening hem, use 1cm seam allowance (double stitch over straps).

Step 5

Find the quarter marks of bag and bag base (fold in half, and half again, pinning the creases round the edge). Match points and pin pieces together. Sew straight stitch around circumference, work slowly. Zigzag stitch raw edges, turn.