♻️ Hands up if you’re trying to reduce your plastic waste! Ditching plastic bottles of water in favour of a refillable water bottle is a no-brainer, right? Then you’ll need our free pattern for a water bottle carrier, for sure!

And our pattern is really cleverly crafted too!

We’ve designed this water bottle carrier with children in mind… so us grown-ups can feel less like a cart-horse & empower the youngsters to carry their own water 💦  

The clever thing about this pattern is the multi-way strap – kids can carry their water on their scooter, their book bag OR wear it cross-body

Watch the multi-way strap in action to see what we mean below

AND the wadding we’ve chosen is amazingly effective – we’ve used Insul-Bright – a  Thermal Insulated Wadding which will help to keep water bottles cooler for longer… 

And – let’s face it –  it’s not just for kids… Grown-ups would love one too!

You can feel proud of your sewing prowess, whilst helping the planet at the same time!

Free Pattern For A Water Bottle Carrier

A sewing project for: A Confident Beginner

Finished Dimensions: 19cm x 9cm approx (excluding strap). This carrier is sized to fit a water bottle with a 23cm circumference and fits most water bottles we tried

Sewing Time: Sew in an afternoon

Need to know:

• 1cm seam allowance throughout, unless directed.
• For steps using machine sewing, straight stitch, backstitching at the start & end using stitch length 2.5mm unless otherwise stated.
• When topstitching – use a 3-3.5mm length & stitch approx 3mm from the seam
• Prepare your fabrics as per the manufacturer’s care advice
• WST = Wrong Sides Together
• RST = Right Sides Together
• Read through the instructions fully before starting  

Disclaimer: Strangulation hazard: Children must be supervised at all times.

Request The Free Pattern For A Water Bottle Carrier here:

Sewing Equipment You Will Need:

• KAM Pliers or a KAM Press
• Coordinating thread
• Scissors or rotary cutter, mat & ruler
• Tape measure or  ruler
• Quilting clips
• Temporary fabric marker
• Iron
• Basic Sewing Kit

Make Life Easier With

• A Tailor’s sleeve roll

Firstly, grab your Free Pattern For A Water Bottle Carrier here

1) Request , Print & Cut Out The Free Pattern For A Water Bottle Carrier

1. Use the 1” test square to check the sizing. If the sizing is incorrect check print settings. Depending on the device used, select ‘actual size’ or deselect the “Fit to page” option.

Using the pattern pieces as templates pin & cut out the following from the fabrics *: 

From Fabric A: 

• 1 x Outer Top Contrast*

From Fabric B: 

• 1 x Outer Main*
• 1 x Base Circle

From Fabric C: 

• 1 x Lining Main*
• 1 x Base Circle

From Fabric D ( Insul-Bright Insulated Wadding):

• 1 x  Lining Main
• 1 x Base Circle

* For directional fabrics the shorter edge on the pattern pieces runs top to bottom of the finished carrier

2) Transfer the pattern markings  

It’s time to sew!
1. Align the bottom edge of the outer top contrast piece with the top edge of the Outer Main piece right sides together & pin
2. Sew, then press the seam allowance open

3. Draw a line 1cm up from the bottom of the outer & lining pieces on the wrong side

Baste the Insul-Bright

1. 4. Baste the Insul-Bright main panel to the wrong side of the sewn outer panel, aligning at the top edge. The Insul-Bright should be 1cm shorter than the outer panel 
2. 5. Baste the Insul-Bright in place around the top and 2 sides, 5mm from the edge. Do not baste along the bottom edge.
3. 6. Baste the Insul-bright base onto the lining fabric base. NB: basting the Insul-Bright base to the lining & side to the outer panel makes sewing a small circle easier

Assemble the side panels

1. 7. Fold the lining panel in half bringing the short side edges RST & pin
2. 8. Sew the side seam, leaving a 10cm opening for turning
3. 9. Repeat steps 7 & 8 for the outer panel, but omit the turning gap

 10. Trim back the Insul-bright bulk. Press the seam allowances on the outer & lining panels open.

Add the base circles to the outer & lining side panels

12) On both outer & lining pieces, mark ¼ points on the base circles & bottom edges
of the side panels:
a) On the side panels, fold the fabric on the seam & smooth & fold it across;
the seam line is a one-quarter point & the fold crease is another. Bring
those points together & smooth the fabric out to the sides; mark where the
next 2 folds form.
b) For the base circle, fold it in half, make marks at each end of the fold line.
Fold it in half again and mark both layers of fabric where they fold.
13) One at a time, match up the quarter points on the side panels & base circles & pin
14) Pin the fabric between the ¼ points, using the snips to help ease the fabric
around the outer edge. Aligning the fabric edges & pinning where the seam line will be sewn will help accuracy.

15) Sew the base circles in place. Dropping your stitch length to 2mm will help you
sew the curve. Keep adjusting the fabric on your sewing machine to ensure you don’t
sew in any puckers.
16) Trim back any Insul-Bright in a seam to reduce bulk
17) Turn outer piece right side out

Add the straps to the water bottle carrier

Assemble the water bottle carrier

22) Position the outer panel inside the lining panel, right sides together, seams
aligned, straps sandwiched between the layers & clip around the top edge
23) Starting at the centre back seam, sew all the way around the top
24) Turn the bottle carrier out the right way & press. A Tailor’s Sleeve Roll is a handy
tool here

25) Machine sew the opening in the lining closed, or hand sew using a ladder stitch
26) Topstitch around the top of the carrier

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Adding KAM snaps

27) Add male KAM snaps at the marked positions on the carrier, with the smooth cap on the inside: 

c) At the centre of the snap placement mark use an awl to make a hole through the carrier, ensuring the fabrics are smooth

d) Thread the cap prong through the hole from the inside of the carrier

e) Slip the male snap socket onto the cap prong on the outer of the carrier

f) Sit the snap cap flush into the black dish of the plier base

g)Position the pliers on a solid surface & press firmly (lean into the pliers for added force) until the snap is fixed in place

28) Add the female KAM snaps to the strap ends – When positioning, ensure the snap cap is clear of the hemmed strap end or it may be too thick to attach properly

a) Use the awl to make a hole 2cm from the end, central to the width of the strap

b) Thread the cap prong through the hole from what will be the outside of the strap. Double check the female snap will fit the male part without your strap twisting before applying the snap

c) Follow the steps as before, using female snap piece

Watch our video tutorial on how to attach KAM Snaps here or check out our Beginner’s Guide to KAM Snaps post

Make the adjustable multi-way strap

29) Using the remaining webbing, thread 1 end through from the underside of the
strap slider. Bring the end over the central bar then thread back through to the
back
30) Sew the end to secure – a zipper foot can make this easier

31) Thread a swivel clip onto the strap, hook on the opposite side to sewn hem near the slider32) Checking the strap isn’t twisted, thread the unsewn end of the strap through the slider

33) Thread the unsewn end through the remaining swivel clip

34) Sew the strap end down to secure the hook around the final swivel clip

35) To add the strap to the carrier, thread the D rings onto the grab handles then clip and go!

And you’re finished, well done!

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