Whoever said the recession is over isn’t a yoga teacher.
If it weren’t for my Lucy PRO discount (yoga instructor? Become a LucyPRO here), I’d be looking decidedly more ragged. In fact, until a couple months ago I taught (and practiced) in the same two pairs of pants and three shirts for two years. And with proper care, my Jade Yoga Mat is still going strong. It helps, too, if you have a crafty mom who makes you eye pillows.
But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to outfit yourself or your space with yoga style. I went searching for how-tos, and despite the proliferation of “yoga pants from old t-shirts,” I persevered with these modern, do it yourself yoga craft projects that save some bank.
P.S. Where are all you fabulous yoga crafters and your yoga crafts? These projects, although great, are collecting Internet dust!
This do-it-yourself yoga bag is exactly my aesthetic; now, if only I had inherited my mom’s sewing gene. In 10 steps and with a sewing machine you’ll be crafting your way to a handmade yoga bag that will have everyone asking you where you bought it. This looks simple enough that even I could do it, genetics or not.
2. Antibacterial Yoga Mat Spray
I’m 90% on my way to this simple spray, just need to stock up on some eucalyptus essential oil. For tea tree oil, I prefer the organic kind from Desert Essence. The company is the largest supplier of tea tree oil, which coincidentally, my doctor tells me, is good for treating the eczema on my fingers (too much information).
So easy. So quick. So cute.
4. Nigella Yoga Mat Bag by Amy Butler [PDF]
Oh, Amy Butler. I’m in love with your “Midwest Modern” fabrics, and not just because I grew up in Ohio, but also because you put them to use in this yoga mat bag pattern. The PDF includes instructions, pattern pieces and measurements. If you sew this, make me an extra?
5. Love and Peace Wall Art [PDF]
I’m a huge fan of fabric wall art, mostly because cutting fabric? Cutting fabric I can do. I’m thinking these panels would look great above my bed, which already is covered by Amy Butler’s water bouquet in midnight fabric duvet.
6. McCall’s, Simplicity and Kwik Sew Yoga Clothing Patterns
Seriously, who knew that back when my mom was sifting through McCall’s patterns for my Halloween costumes, she could have been making yoga clothes instead? The website that rounded up these patterns warns they may be out of print, but it’s nothing a trip to eBay won’t fix. Most all of these patterns look like they could make it in our modern times, except for the last two. Unless you totally want to rock the ’80s.
7. 50 Ways to Reuse Your Yoga Mat
I’ve got my first yoga mat (a Gaiam, coincidentally) rotting in a spare bedroom, but am considering one of the fine options in this list from Gaiam.com. So far, #6 (donate to an animal shelter) is winning out. Definitely not #15 (cut it up to make mouse pads). Do people really do that?
Most yoga eye pillows are square-shaped – not this pattern from Better Homes & Gardens. The pillows can also be cooled in the freezer or warmed in the microwave for a luxe relaxation during your savasana.
That Martha – she’s always finding bizarre uses for seemingly unrelated things – like dog leashes and yoga mats. This is less of a DIY and more of a: grab or buy a cute dog leash and use it to roll up your yoga mat. Clever, especially if you don’t have a dog that goes insane every time she sees her leash.
The amateur baker in me loves this idea, which I am apparently quite behind the times on since thekitchen.com featured these cookie cutters in 2009. The tin cutters include Plow, Tree, Warrior I, Lotus, Down Dog and more. Or you could skip the DIY and buy the Gingerbread Yoga People Cookies from Baked Ideas.