yoga bag cut out

A Bag for My Yoga Class – Getting Crafty

I never thought I would be a “California Girl” in yoga pants, toting a mat and talking about the benefits of hot yoga, but here I am, working out. My friend Melissa talked me into trying a class with her and I am HOOKED. I have never taken any classes at a gym, I’ve only ever worked out at home. I had no idea what I needed for class so I threw everything into a reusable shopping bag from Trader Joe’s and went to class.

Let’s just say, I didn’t know gym bags were still a thing as an adult. So, I busted out my sewing machine this weekend and looked for a simple pattern I could make that was, essentially, still a shopping bag but was tougher, with nicer fabric.

I found this lovely fabric from Anna Marie Horner, I got on sale at Michael Levine’s a couple of years ago, in my fabric stash. It’s a little heavier than quilting weight but not as heavy as canvas. It’s a little too stout for the pattern I used but it’s really nice fabric.

For the pattern, I made up Very Purple Person’s reversible bag pattern and instructions with some slight modifications. I added an inch in the center of the handles and four inches in length. I’m a tall person so needed the height to balance with that when it’s on my shoulder.

yoga bag pattern

Notes on the pattern:

  • DON’T FORGET TO CLIP THE CURVES – my curves are a little wonky and tight because I forgot to clip them
  • A lighter fabric is probably better than heavier
  • Don’t sew too far up the handles or turning the bag rightside out is a nightmare

All told, the bag took me about five hours to make over two days. It’s pretty bomb, if I do say so myself!

I’ll test it out at my next yoga class. I go to Hot 8 Yoga here in LA. I go to which ever location is nearest me. If you sign up, let me know! (Side note, it kind of bums me out you can’t see the top stitching well in the photos, it’s orange to match the flower centers.)

yoga bag finished