A camera strap is two pieces of fabric sewn to the lugs on either side of your camera body

A camera strap holds your camera around your neck or across your body so your hands stay free. You make one by sewing webbing or fabric to the metal attachment points (called lugs) on the sides of your camera. The strap itself is usually a single piece of sturdy fabric folded in half lengthwise, with the raw edges sewn closed to create a tube. Both ends of that tube get folded and sewn to a small rectangle of fabric, and those rectangles attach to your camera lugs using a metal ring or by looping directly through the lug.

The whole project takes two to four hours if you have a sewing machine and basic materials. You do not need a serger or special equipment—a regular machine and thread are enough. The hardest part is sewing through multiple layers of thick fabric near the attachment points, but a needle designed for heavy fabric makes that manageable.

Key Takeaways

  • A camera strap is made from webbing or canvas folded lengthwise, sewn closed, and attached to metal rings that loop through your camera's lugs.
  • You will need webbing or canvas, thread, a sewing machine, metal D-rings or split rings, and a needle rated for heavy fabric.
  • The strap attaches via a small folded rectangle of fabric sewn to both ends, which you then sew or rivet to the metal rings.
  • Sewing through four or more layers of fabric at the attachment points requires a heavy-duty needle and slow, steady pressure on the machine.

Materials and tools you will need

Webbing or canvas is the main material. Webbing is a flat, woven strip sold by the yard at fabric stores; it comes in widths from 1 inch to 3 inches and is already finished on the edges. Canvas is a thicker cotton fabric that you cut to size. Either works. Most people use webbing because it is already the right width and does not fray. Choose a width between 1.5 and 2.5 inches—wide enough to be comfortable around your neck, narrow enough to move freely. You will need about 48 to 60 inches of material, depending on your preferred strap length.

Metal rings are how the strap attaches to your camera. You need two D-rings or split rings, each about 0.75 to 1 inch wide. D-rings are shaped like the letter D and are stronger; split rings look like a key ring and are easier to thread. Both are sold at fabric stores and online in packs. Avoid plastic rings—they break under the weight of a camera.

You will also need heavy-duty thread (polyester or nylon, not regular cotton), a sewing machine needle rated for heavy fabric (size 16 or 18), and a regular needle and thread for hand-sewing if you want to close the strap tube by hand instead of machine. A ruler, scissors, and pins round out the basics. Some people use a seam ripper to fix mistakes, though it is not essential.

How to cut and prepare your strap material

If you are using webbing, you can skip the cutting step—webbing comes ready to use. If you are using canvas or another fabric, cut a strip 2 inches wide and 54 inches long. This length gives you a strap that hangs about 24 to 26 inches from your neck when looped through the camera lugs; adjust the length up or down depending on how you want to wear it.

Next, cut four small rectangles from the same material. Each rectangle should be 2 inches wide and 3 inches long. These rectangles will fold around the metal rings and attach the strap to your camera. If you are using webbing, cut them from the same webbing. If you are using canvas, cut them from the same piece you cut the main strap from.

Lay out the main strap and the four rectangles on a flat surface. Check that the edges are straight and the corners are square. If you are using canvas, you can seal the cut edges with a thin line of fray-stop liquid to prevent fraying, though this is optional.

Sewing the strap tube

Fold the main strap in half lengthwise, so the two long edges meet and the fold runs down the middle. Pin the two long edges together, leaving the short ends open. The fold should be on one side and the raw edges on the other.

Thread your sewing machine with heavy-duty thread and install the heavy-fabric needle. Set the machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3 millimeters—slightly longer than normal, because thick fabric can bunch if the stitches are too close. Sew along one of the long edges, about 0.5 inches from the edge. Start at one short end and sew to the other. Remove the pins as you go.

Flip the strap inside-out through one of the open short ends. This turns the seam to the inside and gives the strap a finished look. Press the strap flat with an iron on medium heat to set the fold and make the seam lie flat. Sew the short ends closed by folding them inward about 0.5 inches and sewing across, or leave them raw for now—you will cover them when you attach the rings.

Attaching the metal rings to the rectangles

Take one of the four small rectangles and fold it in half lengthwise, so the two long edges meet. Slide a metal ring onto the fold so the ring sits at the fold line. The ring should be centered on the rectangle.

Fold the rectangle in half again, this time widthwise, so the ring is now sandwiched inside a small square of fabric. Pin the edges to hold the shape. Sew around three sides of the square, about 0.25 inches from the edge, leaving one short side open. Use the heavy-fabric needle and heavy-duty thread. Sew slowly and carefully—you are sewing through four layers of fabric, and the needle may skip or break if you push too hard. If the needle struggles, stop, lift the presser foot, and reposition before continuing.

Repeat this step with the other three rectangles and the other metal ring. You should now have two small fabric squares, each with a metal ring sewn inside.

Sewing the rings to the strap ends

Slide one of the fabric-and-ring squares onto each short end of the strap, so the open side of the square faces outward and the ring hangs off the end of the strap. The square should sit flush against the strap, with no gap between them. Pin the open side of each square to the strap.

Sew the open side closed by sewing across the short edge, about 0.25 inches from the edge. Again, you are sewing through many layers—the strap, the rectangle, and the folded edges of the rectangle. Go slowly. If the machine stalls, stop and reposition rather than forcing the needle through.

Once both rings are sewn on, flip the strap over and sew the same seam again from the other side. This double seam makes the attachment much stronger and is worth the extra time. Trim any loose threads with scissors.

Testing and adjusting the fit

Hold the strap up and look at it from all angles. The two rings should hang evenly and the strap should lie flat without twists. If one ring hangs lower than the other, the strap may not be centered on your camera.

Loop the rings through the lugs on your camera and drape the strap around your neck. Adjust the length by holding the strap at different points and seeing where it sits. If it is too long, you can shorten it by cutting off a few inches from one end and re-sewing the ring. If it is too short, you cannot easily lengthen it without starting over, so measure twice before cutting.

Once you are happy with the fit, the strap is done. The seams will soften and the fabric will mold to your neck over time, making it more comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular thread instead of heavy-duty thread?

Regular cotton thread will work for the main strap seam, but heavy-duty polyester or nylon thread is stronger and less likely to break when you are sewing through thick layers at the attachment points. If you use regular thread, sew the attachment seams twice to reinforce them.

What if my sewing machine needle keeps breaking?

You are likely pushing too hard or the needle is not rated for heavy fabric. Switch to a size 16 or 18 needle designed for denim or canvas, and let the machine do the work—do not force the fabric through. If the needle still breaks, slow down the machine speed if your model has that option, or hand-sew the thickest seams instead.

Can I attach the strap without sewing the rings to rectangles first?

Yes. You can sew the rings directly to the strap ends by folding the strap end around the ring and sewing it closed. This is faster but creates a thicker, stiffer attachment point. The rectangle method distributes the stress over a larger area and is more durable.

How do I know if the strap length is right?

Loop the rings through your camera lugs and drape the strap around your neck. The camera should hang at about chest height with your arms at your sides. If it hangs too low, the strap is too long; if it sits too high, it is too short. Most people prefer a strap 24 to 26 inches long when worn around the neck.