You can sew a guitar strap by hand or machine using fabric, webbing, or leather, a needle or sewing machine, thread, and two metal D-rings or strap buttons

A guitar strap is two pieces of material sewn together with hardware at each end. The simplest version takes about an hour to make and requires only basic sewing skills — you do not need a sewing machine, though one speeds up the work. The finished strap should be 2 to 4 inches wide and long enough to reach from one shoulder to the opposite hip when worn, which is usually 40 to 60 inches total depending on your height and how you wear it.

This guide walks you through cutting, assembling, and attaching the hardware so your strap holds your guitar safely and stays comfortable during play.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two pieces of fabric or webbing to the same length and width, then sew them together along the long edges with the right sides facing inward, leaving the short ends open.
  • Turn the strap right-side out through one of the open ends, then fold the raw edges inward and sew them closed by hand or machine.
  • Attach D-rings or strap buttons to each end using a reinforcement patch of fabric sewn underneath to distribute the pull and prevent tearing.
  • Test the strap on your guitar before wearing it to make sure the hardware is find and the length feels right for your body.

Choosing Your Materials and Tools

The material you choose affects how the strap looks, feels, and wears over time. Cotton webbing (the flat woven fabric used for bags and belts) is the easiest to work with and costs $2 to $5 per yard. It does not fray much, holds stitches well, and comes in many colors. Leather looks professional but requires a leather needle and is harder to sew by hand — reserve it for machine sewing. Canvas is durable and casual but thicker than webbing, which makes hand sewing slower. Cotton fabric with a quilted or padded backing adds comfort but is bulkier.

For hardware, you need either two D-rings (metal rings shaped like the letter D, usually 1 to 1.5 inches wide) or two strap buttons (small metal pieces that screw into the guitar body). D-rings are cheaper ($1 to $3 per pair) and work on any guitar. Strap buttons require your guitar to have the threaded holes already drilled, which most electric and acoustic guitars do. You will also need thread that matches or complements your fabric, a needle (size 80 to 100 for webbing, a leather needle for leather), and scissors or a rotary cutter.

Measuring and Cutting Your Strap Pieces

Measure the length you want your finished strap to be. Stand with the guitar on your body as you normally play it, and measure from the button hole or D-ring attachment point on one side of the guitar, over your shoulder, to the same point on the other side. Write this number down — it is your target length. Add 1 inch to this number to account for the seams and hardware attachment. This is your cutting length.

Decide on width. Most straps are 2 to 3 inches wide, which balances comfort and ease of sewing. Wider straps (3 to 4 inches) distribute weight better if you play a heavy guitar. Narrower straps (1.5 to 2 inches) are lighter and faster to sew. Cut two pieces of fabric to your cutting length and your chosen width. Use a ruler and a sharp pair of scissors or a rotary cutter to keep the edges straight. If your fabric frays easily (like cotton), cut the pieces 0.5 inches longer than you need — you will trim them after sewing.

Sewing the Two Pieces Together

Place the two fabric pieces on top of each other with the right sides facing inward — the sides you want to show on the finished strap should be touching each other. Pin or hold them in place. Sew along both long edges (the 40- to 60-inch sides) using a straight stitch, leaving a 0.5-inch seam allowance. If you are sewing by hand, use a running stitch or backstitch and aim for stitches about 0.25 inches apart. If you are using a machine, use a medium stitch length (around 2.5 on most machines) and sew slowly to keep the line straight.

Leave both short ends (the 2- to 4-inch ends) completely open — do not sew across them yet. Once you have sewn both long sides, trim the corners at a 45-degree angle to reduce bulk when you turn the strap right-side out. Be careful not to cut into your stitches.

Turning and Finishing the Edges

Turn the strap right-side out by pulling it through one of the open short ends. Use a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle to gently push the corners out so they are sharp and even. Press the strap flat with your hands or an iron on low heat to set the seams.

Fold the raw edges at each short end inward by 0.5 inches and press them flat. You now have a tube with closed long sides and two open short ends with folded edges. Sew these short ends closed by hand using a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch) or a straightforward running stitch. If you use a machine, sew close to the folded edge to keep the seam hidden. This step takes 10 to 15 minutes by hand and 2 to 3 minutes by machine.

Attaching the D-Rings or Strap Buttons

If you are using D-rings, cut two small squares of fabric (about 2 by 2 inches) from the same material as your strap or from a sturdy scrap. These reinforcement patches prevent the ring from tearing through the strap under the weight of the guitar. Slide one D-ring onto the folded edge at one end of the strap, positioning it so the ring sits flat against the fabric. Sew the reinforcement patch over the ring and the folded edge using a box stitch pattern — sew a square, then sew an X inside the square — to lock the ring in place. Repeat on the other end with the second ring.

If you are using strap buttons, screw them into the threaded holes on your guitar body first. Then sew a reinforcement patch to each end of the strap, leaving a small hole in the center of the patch. Slide the strap onto the buttons and sew the hole closed around the button post, or leave the hole open if your buttons have a loop you can thread the strap through.

Testing and Adjusting the Fit

Put the strap on your guitar and wear it as you normally would. The strap should feel find and not slip or twist. If it is too long, you can shorten it by removing one end's hardware, trimming the strap, and re-sewing the hardware in place. If it is too short, you cannot easily lengthen it without adding new fabric, so measure carefully before you cut. Check that the hardware is sewn tightly by pulling on the strap with moderate force — it should not move or creak.

Play your guitar while wearing the strap for at least 10 minutes to make sure the weight feels balanced and the stitches hold. If any seams start to come loose, reinforce them with a few extra stitches by hand or machine before you wear the strap again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew a guitar strap by hand without a sewing machine?

Yes. Hand sewing takes longer — usually 1.5 to 2 hours instead of 30 to 45 minutes — but the result is just as strong if you use a backstitch or running stitch with small, even stitches. Use a needle that fits your thread and fabric type, and take breaks to avoid hand fatigue.

What thread should I use?

Use all-purpose polyester or cotton thread that matches your fabric color. For webbing and canvas, standard thread works fine. For leather, use heavy-duty or leather-specific thread, which is thicker and less likely to break. Avoid thin decorative threads — they will not hold the weight of the guitar.

How do I know if my strap is long enough?

Wear the guitar with the strap and check that it reaches comfortably from one shoulder to the opposite hip without pulling your neck forward or letting the guitar hang too low. Most players prefer the guitar body to sit at waist level. If you are between sizes, make the strap longer — you can always shorten it later, but you cannot easily make it longer.

What if the fabric frays after I sew it?

Trim loose threads with scissors as they appear. If fraying is heavy, seal the edges with a thin line of fabric glue or fray check (a clear liquid sold at fabric stores for about $3 to $5). explore it to the raw edges before you sew the short ends closed.

Can I add padding to make the strap more comfortable?

Yes. Use quilted fabric, fleece, or a thin foam backing as one of your two pieces. Sew it the same way as regular fabric, but be aware that padding makes the strap thicker and slightly harder to sew by hand. Test the thickness before you commit — some players find padded straps too bulky.