How to Make a Water Bottle Holder

An easier way to carry your water takes only time and ingenuity.

Although bottled water is a practical must-have for sporting events and outdoor festivals, sometimes you don't have enough hands to juggle the snacks, totes and other paraphernalia needed for the outing. Make a water bottle holder bag that can be slung over your shoulder, leaving your hands free for other necessities. They are simple to make, and one can be sewn for each member of the family in no time.

Things You'll Need

• 1/3-yard fabric
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Water bottle

Instructions

1. Cut a 7 1/2-inch wide by 11 1/2-inch long rectangle of fabric for the bag portion of the water bottle holder. Cut a 2-inch wide by 44-inch long strip from the fabric for the handle portion of the holder.

2. Fold the rectangle in half with the right sides together and the short edges matching. Pin the short edges together and sew using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This creates a fabric tube. Pin together the edges on one end of the tube and sew using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. This is the bottom of the bag. Iron the seams open.

3. Insert a water bottle into the bag and stand it on your work surface. The corners of the bag bottom will stick out in triangle points. Pin the bottom of each triangle against the bottle's bottom. Remove the bottle. Sew across the pinned triangle bottoms. Cut off the triangles 1/4 inch from the seams. This will create a flat bottom to the bag.

4. Sew a hem for the top of the bag. Fold the top edge of the bag 1/2 inch to the wrong side and press. Fold over another 1/2 inch, press and pin. Sew around the pinned edge to complete the hem. Turn the bag right side out.

5. Fold the length of the fabric strip in half with the wrong sides together and the long edges matching. Iron to crease the fold. Open the strip. Fold the long edges to the center crease and iron. Fold the strip in half again matching the long edges. Iron and pin the strip. Sew the pinned edge as close to the edge as possible to complete the handle.

6. Insert 1/2 inch of one end of the handle over the seam on the inside of the bag. Pin the end to the bag. Insert 1/2 inch of the other end of the handle on the opposite top edge of the bag and pin. Do not twist the handle. Sew across the pinned ends to attach the handle.

Tips & Warnings

• The handle can be shortened for a child by tying an overhand knot at the shoulder-top of the handle.