Yoga Bag (with optional pocket)

I have been wanting to make a yoga bag for a long time! I’ve never taken a yoga class, but I don’t have the convenience of an in home studio, so storing my equipment is a necessity. I also shudder to think what my cats could do to my mat if given the opportunity. Thus a bag is a must for storage AND protection! I designed this particular bag with a large pocket on the front. This pocket is large enough for a yoga brick, towel, water bottle, extra shirt, etc. Should you desire a yoga bag without a pocket, just skip steps 3-7!

Materials needed:

6″ diameter circle (bottom)
20″ x 30″ rectangle (bag)
13″ square (pocket)
8″ x 44″ rectangle (strap)
2″ x 36″ rectangle (drawstring)
sewing machine
iron

Note: All of these pieces can be cut out of the same material or they can be mixed and matched however you want!

Instructions:

Start with the drawstring. This is made just like the dog collar and the drawstring for the dog treat bag. Fold the short ends in about 1/4″ with right sides out and press. Fold the entire piece in half lengthwise with right sides out and press. Unfold the last step and fold the sides in towards the center fold with right sides out and press. Refold the center fold and repress. Sew a 1/8″ seam down the open side and the ends of the drawstring. Set aside.
Now for the strap. Fold the entire strap in half lengthwise with right sides facing and press. Sew a 1/4″ seam down the long open side. Turn the strap right side out. Sew a 1/4″ seam down both long sides of the strap. Set aside
Time for the pocket. Feel free to skip this step if you so desire. Fold a 1/4″ down on the top edge of the pocket right sides out and press. Fold this fold down on itself with right sides out and press. This will create a hem without any loose edges.
Fold the sides of the pocket in 1/4″ with right sides out and press. Fold the bottom edge of the pocket in 1/4″ with right sides out and press.
Place the left side edge of the pocket about 7″ away from the 30″ left edge of the bag. The bottom edge of the pocket should be 6″ from the bottom edge of the bag. The back side of the pocket should be facing the right side of the bag. Pin the left side in place. Repeat this process with the right edge. The pocket will not lie flat on the bag.
Place a pin through the bottom edge of the pocket and the bag 2-1/2″ from the left and right sides of the pocket. Flatten the remainder of the pocket so that you have an even amount of pocket on either side of the pins (should be about 1-1/2″). I used this blog by Arm Candy For You as a general idea for designing this pocket.
Sew a 1/8″ seam around the three pinned sides of the pocket leaving the top open. Be sure to reinforce your stitches at the beginning and the end of the seam.
Fold the bag in half lengthwise with right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam down the open length of the bag.
Pin one end of the strap to the seam of the bag so the strap is facing the right side of the bag and the raw edges match up. Use a basting stitch to tack the strap in place. Pin the circular bottom to the bottom edge of the bag fabric with the right sides together. Sew a 1/4″ seam around the bottom.
Fold the top edge of the bag down 1/4″ with the right sides out and press. Fold this fold down 1-1/2″ with right sides out and press. Sew an 1/8″ seam around the bottom edge of this fold. This pocket will hold the drawstring.
Locate the seam that runs the length of the bag within the drawstring pocket. Sew a short reinforcement stitch 1/8″ from the top edge and overlapping the seam. Use a seam ripper to rip the stitches of the seam on the outside of the bag from the reinforcement stitch to the bottom of the drawstring pocket. This will allow access for the drawstring.
Turn the bag right side out. Place the top edge of the strap just below the bottom edge of the drawstring pocket and over the seam. Make sure the strap doesn’t have any twists before sewing in place. Sew a 1/8″ seam following the top edge of the strap. Fold the strap up over top of this seam. Sew a new seam in line with the bottom of the drawstring pocket.
Thread the drawstring through the drawstring pocket.
Add your supplies and start harnessing your chi! Namaste.