Pinterest, Kate Spade inspired, DIY Strap

Mike got me a new SLR for my camera for Christmas and I've been on the hunt for the perfect strap ever since.

Fast forward 6 months: 

 I started drooling over Kate Spade's ticker tape china collection. 

via

but Mike wouldn't let me have them. 

So, I went and bought a couple yards of heavy duty cotton cord, 

it specifically said for straps or backpacks

and some metallic gold paint. 

I cut the strap to to the same length as my current strap, 

and an extra length to practice on. 

Then I started trying to recreate the perfect KS dots. 

The answer: the bottom of a foam paint brush. 

Then try to "randomly" place dots the length of the cotton strap. 

(for the whole thing, remember test straps are your friend)

The finished product should look like this: 

ooohhh, aaahhhh. 

I wasn't completely satisfied with it. 

It was lacking some eyes (as my mama would say) 

So when I saw this

via

on Pinterest, my brain ping-ed, and I went to the fabric store. 

I picked up some stretchy sequin fabric and a glue gun. 

(Fun Fact: You can buy an AWESOME glue gun from Target)

Cut your fabric a little longer than you want. 

(measure against your strap, giving extra room for folding and making your strap)

Then fold over the sequins and take a little dot of 

hot glue to keep the sequins from falling off. 

Then, glue 'er down!

Then, you have this!

I found small handles in the purse section at Joann's. 

It can be a bit tricky to fit the individual attachment on each camera, 

so you might have to do a bit of searching. 

These swivel around so the strap can be "Kate Spade" or sequins based on the day.

Loop your fabric though, and use heavy duty cotton thread to sew back and forth. 

A lot. 

If you're concerned about it breaking like me, you'll use feet per side. 

But that's totally up to you. 

You don't have to worry about the stitching showing up if

 you match the thread to the cotton strap.

Then hook that baby onto your camera, and rock it. 

all done!

This is my first DIY or tutorial, so if it's not clear, or it stinks, let me know. <3

It's SO easy to make a strap that you love and so cheap that you can make as many as you see fit. 

linking up to a few places:
linesacrossmyface.blogspot.com