Introduction – What Is A Yoga Mat Made Of
ShrinkThatFootprint is a big fan of DIY especially via upcycling materials into something more valuable and useful.
Yoga mats are usually made of high-quality rubber, with the surface textured to ensure a good grip. In addition to mats, yoga enthusiasts often use yoga blocks to enhance their practice. These blocks, often made from foam, cork, or bamboo, provide support, balance, and extended reach in various poses.
The surface of yoga mats is usually textured to provide a good grip and prevent slippage during stretching and bending poses.
These mats are made of premium rubber, allowing maximum durability.
There’s no need to splurge on a store-bought yoga mat when you can easily make your own at home.
Just as we have covered only does homemade save you money, but it allows you to customize the materials and design to suit your needs.
Some ideas for homemade mats include using a towel and spray adhesive, sewing together fabric scraps, or even recycling an old carpet square.
The options are endless! Plus, homemade mats are more environmentally-friendly (with the exception of because they use materials you would otherwise throw away.
How To Make A Homemade Yoga Mat?
Creating your own yoga mat is not only an economical solution, but it also allows for customization, enabling you to design a mat that best suits your preferences.
Below, we’ve outlined a few steps to assist you in creating a sturdy, effective, and personalized yoga mat:
1. Choose and Gather your materials
Begin by selecting a material that offers stability and adequate grip. You’ll need two primary components: a comfortable, durable upper layer and a non-slip under layer.
Upper Layer: This is the surface you’ll be practicing on, so it should be comfortable and absorbent. Some options include a thick woven fabric like canvas or a plush material like an old towel or quilt for extra padding. If you choose a fabric like canvas, ensure it’s pre-shrunk and easy to clean.
Under Layer: This layer needs to provide grip to prevent the mat from slipping during your yoga practice. A non-slip rug pad, old non-slip mat, or even a piece of a recycled yoga mat are suitable choices. You can usually find rug pads at home supply stores or online.
Choose a sturdy adhesive to hold your layers together. Spray adhesives are a popular choice as they evenly coat the surface and offer strong adhesion. However, make sure it’s suitable for fabric and won’t damage your chosen materials. If you’re more comfortable with sewing, sturdy thread and a sewing needle will work too.
2. Cut the Materials to Desired Size
Once you have your materials, you’ll want to cut them to the size you want your mat to be. The standard size for yoga mats is 24 inches wide and 68 inches long, but you can modify this based on your height and comfort.
3. Attach the Upper Layer to the Lower Layer
Once you have your materials cut to size, it’s time to assemble your yoga mat.
If using a spray adhesive, make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area. Lay your upper layer material flat on a clean, protected surface.
Apply a thin, even layer of the spray adhesive to the surface. Carefully align the lower layer on top, pressing down and smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles as you go. Let the adhesive dry completely before moving on.
If you prefer to sew your mat, start by pinching the two layers together, making sure they’re perfectly aligned.
You can use pins or clips to keep the material in place as you sew.
Use a durable thread to sew a straight stitch around the edges of the mat. For added strength, you can add a few additional stitches in the middle of the mat.
Now that your mat’s layers are securely attached, it’s time to give it its final shape. Here’s how you can perfect this step:
To cut your material, you will need a sturdy pair of scissors.
If your fabric is thick, consider using fabric shears as they are designed to cut through heavy material cleanly.
For thinner materials, a standard, sharp pair of scissors should do the trick. Always ensure the scissors are sharp enough to avoid ragged edges.
If your mat is rectangular, make sure all four corners are square and the edges are straight.
If you prefer a mat with rounded corners, which can often help prevent fraying, use a round object like a plate as a guide. Just place it on each corner and trace around it before cutting.
If your fabric is prone to fraying, consider using a product like Fray Check along the edges, or you could sew a zigzag stitch or use an overcast stitch around the perimeter.
Taping the corners can also provide added durability to your homemade mat.
Choose a strong, fabric-friendly adhesive tape. Cut small pieces of tape and firmly place them on the corners.
Make sure the tape wraps around the edges and adheres to both the top and bottom of the mat.
5. Clean and Maintain your Mat
Regularly clean your mat with a homemade solution of water and white vinegar, or a mild soap.
Let it air dry completely before rolling it up to prevent mildew.
After using, you can clean your yoga mat with tea tree oil cleaner or hot water to ensure that it stays fresh and clean for future use.
With a homemade yoga mat, you can enjoy all the benefits of this popular exercise practice without breaking the bank or adding to environmental waste.
DIY Yoga Mat Alternatives
There are a variety of alternative materials that you can use to create your homemade yoga mat. Here are some alternatives to consider:
1. Tactical Grip Material
Take a look at the tactical grip material here. The rubbery material is quite thin, flexible, and has great grip on the floor.
We’ve actually tried this already.
If its not thick enough for you as a yoga mat, consider adding other materials on top as we suggest below. And use our instructions for combining it above.
2. Towels
A towel can make an excellent yoga mat, as it is easy to clean and provides a good grip for stretching and bending poses.
Simply use spray adhesive or sewing thread to secure the edges of your towel together, and you’ll have a great homemade yoga mat in no time!
3. Fabric Scraps
Another great alternative is to sew together different fabric scraps that you may have lying around the house, such as old t-shirts or upholstery fabric.
This allows you to customize the size and design of your yoga mat while still providing a smooth surface that won’t slip or slide when doing poses.
4. Carpet squares
If you’re looking for something more durable, you may also consider recycling an old carpet square or foam padding as your yoga mat.
Simply place your carpet tile on a flat surface and use spray adhesive to secure the edges, so they don’t shift during use.
This is a great option for anyone who wants to customize the size and shape of their yoga mat and make it thicker for additional support.
5. Blankets
Blankets are another great alternative for making your yoga mat.
They are softer and warmer than other materials, which can be beneficial if you practice at home during the year’s colder months.
You can easily sew together a blanket or piece of fleece fabric with some strong thread or simply use spray adhesive if you prefer an easier solution.
Either way, you’ll have a comfortable yoga mat that is perfect for any season!
Overall, there are many options for creating your homemade yoga mat.
Whether you recycle old materials or sew together fabric scraps, the important thing is that it provides a good grip and prevents slipping as you move through your poses.
So consider these DIY alternatives today and start customizing your perfect yoga mat!
How To Make A Yoga Mat Holder At Home?
Gathering your materials is one way to make a yoga mat holder at home.
This will likely include some sturdy fabric, such as an old towel or blanket, and sewing supplies like thread and scissors.
You may also want to look for hot glue or Velcro tape if you prefer a more durable solution that helps keep the edges of your mat in place.
Once you have gathered your materials, the next step is to cut the fabric into a rectangular shape that comfortably fits around your yoga mat.
You can typically do this by measuring the length and width of your mat, then cutting out two pieces from your fabric that are slightly larger.
Once you have formed your rectangular piece of fabric, you can sew the edges together using a strong thread or yarn.
This will help create a durable yoga mat holder to keep your mat in place as you practice.
After sewing the edges, the final step is to attach any additional accessories, such as Velcro strips or hot glue.
These can be used to secure your top edge to ensure that it stays in place and doesn’t shift during use.
And with these steps complete, your DIY yoga mat holder is ready for use!
Conclusions
In conclusion, homemade yoga mat holders are a great way to keep your mat in place and prevent slipping as you practice.
Whether you choose to sew together fabric scraps or use hot glue, the important thing is that it provides a stable surface for doing your poses.
So if you are looking for an easy DIY solution to your yoga mat needs, try making a yoga mat holder at home today!
