A guitar strap is a strip of material sewn or riveted to hold your guitar across your body while you play standing up

You can make one from fabric, leather, or webbing using basic sewing skills and tools you probably already have at home. A homemade strap costs between $5 and $20 in materials, takes two to four hours to complete, and lets you choose the exact length, width, and look you want. Most straps are 2 to 4 inches wide and 40 to 60 inches long from end to end, though you can adjust both measurements to fit your body and playing style.

The two main attachment methods are sewing (fastest, works on any material) and riveting (more durable, looks professional). Sewing is the right choice if you are new to this project. Riveting requires a rivet gun, which costs $15 to $40, and takes practice to do cleanly.

Key Takeaways

  • A basic fabric strap needs only a needle, thread, scissors, and two pieces of material sewn together around a strap blank or directly to your guitar.
  • Measure your strap length by draping it across your body while sitting down — it should reach from one shoulder to the opposite hip without pulling.
  • Sew the strap ends to the existing strap buttons on your guitar using a box stitch pattern, which distributes stress and prevents tearing.
  • Leather and heavy canvas last longer than cotton, but cotton is easier to sew and dye if you want a custom color.
  • If your guitar has no strap buttons, you can add them yourself with a drill and hardware kit, or sew the strap directly to the body.

Gather your materials and tools

For a sewn fabric strap, you need two pieces of material (each about 3 to 5 inches wide and 40 to 60 inches long), a needle, thread that matches or contrasts with your fabric, scissors, and a measuring tape. If you want padding for comfort, add a layer of foam or fleece between the two fabric pieces. Cotton, canvas, denim, or upholstery fabric all work well and are straightforward to find at a fabric store or online.

For a leather strap, use vegetable-tanned leather or suede at least 2 to 3 millimeters thick so it does not stretch or tear under the weight of your guitar. Leather requires the same sewing tools but is harder to push a needle through — a leather needle (thicker and sharper than a regular needle) makes the job much easier. You can also use a sewing machine if you have one and it has a leather needle installed.

To attach the strap to your guitar, you will need the strap buttons that are already on most guitars (usually two small metal rings or pegs on the body). If your guitar does not have them, a hardware kit with buttons and screws costs $5 to $10 at a music store. You will also need a small drill bit if you are installing new buttons yourself.

Measure and cut your strap material

Sit down with your guitar and drape a measuring tape or a piece of string across your body from one shoulder, under the guitar, to the opposite hip. This is your ideal strap length — most people find 45 to 55 inches comfortable, but taller players often need 55 to 60 inches. Add 2 inches to this measurement to account for the material you will lose when sewing the strap to the buttons.

Cut two pieces of fabric to this length. The width should be 3 to 5 inches — wider straps distribute weight better and feel more comfortable during long playing sessions, but narrower straps look sleeker. If you are using padding, cut a piece of foam or fleece to the same length and width as your fabric pieces.

Before you cut, wash and dry your fabric if it is cotton or canvas, because fabric shrinks slightly in the wash and you want your finished strap to stay the same size. Leather does not shrink, so you can skip this step.

Sew the strap together

Place your two fabric pieces with the right sides (the sides you want to show) facing each other. If you are using padding, place it between the two fabric pieces. Pin the layers together along all four edges so they do not shift while you sew.

Using a needle and thread, sew around three sides of the strap, leaving one short end open. Use a running stitch (in and out, in and out) about a quarter inch from the edge, or use a sewing machine if you have one set to a medium stitch length. Sewing by hand takes 30 to 45 minutes; a machine takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Once three sides are sewn, turn the strap inside out through the open end so the right sides of the fabric now face outward. Push the corners out gently with a blunt object like a wooden spoon handle so they are sharp and clean. Fold the raw edges of the open end inward about half an inch and pin them closed, then sew that end shut using a ladder stitch (a nearly invisible stitch that closes the opening from the inside).

If you want extra durability, sew a second line of stitches about half an inch inside the first line, running all the way around the strap. This reinforces the edges and looks professional.

Attach the strap to your guitar using a box stitch

A box stitch is a square of stitches with an X drawn through the middle. It spreads the weight of your guitar across a larger area of the strap and prevents the stitches from tearing through the material. This is the attachment method used on most commercial guitar straps.

Position one end of your strap over a strap button on your guitar. The button should sit about 1 inch from the end of the strap. Using a needle and strong thread (upholstery thread or doubled regular thread works well), sew a square about 1 inch by 1 inch around the button. Start at one corner, go to the opposite corner, then go back and sew the other two corners, creating an X inside the square. Go around the square one more time to reinforce it. This takes 10 to 15 minutes per end.

Repeat this process on the other end of the strap and the other strap button on your guitar. Once both ends are sewn, try the strap on. It should sit comfortably across your body without twisting or sliding, and the guitar should hang at a natural playing height.

Add hardware or rivets for a finished look

If you want a more polished appearance, you can add metal rivets at the corners of your box stitch instead of relying on thread alone. Rivets are small metal fasteners that you hammer through the strap material and the guitar body. A rivet gun (a hand tool that squeezes the rivet closed) costs $15 to $40, and rivets themselves cost less than $1 each.

To rivet, drill a small hole (usually 1/8 inch) through the strap and into the guitar body at each corner of your box stitch. Insert a rivet through the hole, place the rivet gun over the end, and squeeze the handle until the rivet closes with a click. This creates a permanent, very strong attachment that will not come loose over time.

Riveting is optional — a well-sewn box stitch holds just as well for most players. Rivets are mainly a visual choice and are more common on leather straps than fabric ones.

Customize your strap with dye, paint, or embellishments

Once your strap is complete, you can personalize it. Fabric dye (available at craft stores) works on cotton and canvas if you want to change the color. Follow the package instructions — most dyes require soaking the strap in hot water mixed with dye powder for 30 minutes to an hour. Leather dye is thicker and requires a brush; explore it in thin coats and let each coat dry before adding another.

You can also paint designs on fabric using fabric paint, which stays flexible when dry and does not crack or peel. Acrylic paint works on leather but can crack if the leather flexes a lot, so use it only for small details. Embroidery, patches, or studs glued or sewn onto the strap are other ways to make it unique.

Let any dye or paint dry completely (usually 24 hours) before wearing the strap, and wash fabric straps in cold water by hand to keep the color from fading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a strap without sewing if I do not have a needle and thread?

Fabric glue designed for textiles can hold two pieces of material together, but it is not as durable as stitching and may fail after a few months of use. Sewing is the most reliable method. If you do not want to sew by hand, take your cut fabric pieces to a tailor or fabric store — many offer basic sewing services for $10 to $20.

What if my guitar does not have strap buttons?

You can install them yourself using a drill and a hardware kit (available at music stores for $5 to $10), or you can sew the strap directly to the guitar body using the same box stitch method. Sewing directly to the body works but can damage the finish, so drilling and installing buttons is the better choice if you are comfortable using a drill.

How do I know if my strap is the right length?

Sit down with your guitar and adjust the strap so the guitar sits at a comfortable playing height — usually with the body resting against your chest and your fretting hand able to reach the first fret without stretching. The strap should not pull on your neck or shoulder. If it is too short, you can add an extension piece; if it is too long, you can trim it and re-sew the end.

Is leather or fabric better for a homemade strap?

Leather lasts longer and looks more professional, but it is harder to sew and more expensive ($15 to $30 in material). Fabric is easier to work with, costs less ($5 to $10), and lets you customize the color and pattern. For a first project, fabric is the better choice.

Can I use a sewing machine instead of sewing by hand?

Yes, a sewing machine is faster and creates stronger, more even stitches. Use a medium stitch length and a needle appropriate for your fabric (a regular needle for cotton, a leather needle for leather). The box stitch attachment at the guitar buttons is still best done by hand so you can control the exact placement and tension.