Yes! I've also tried with a sewing machine. I braided the strips and sewed together with a zig-zag stitch. Mine did not turn out how I wanted... it was more like a bag and wouldn't lay flat, I didn't figure out how to correct it. Crochet has been way more successful for me. I just learned how to do it a couple months ago after a lifetime of being convinced it was way too complicated for me. It took me some trial and error but I've got this stich down now!