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You are here: Home / Sew-Along / Sewing the Handle (my favorite bag strap method) (Sidekick Sew-along Day #7)

Sewing the Handle (my favorite bag strap method) (Sidekick Sew-along Day #7)

March 19, 2012 by Jodi 35 Comments

Over the last few weeks, I have been working my way through the Sidekick Mini Suitcase pattern, sharing any extra tips that didn’t make it into the pattern directions, and answering questions. The printable pattern and complete directions for the suitcase are available for purchase here.

Today in the sew-along, we make the suitcase handle!

This method of strap-making is a mash-up of techniques a la Amy Butler and The June Bride. No frustrating tube turning, or ugly lumpy corners here. 🙂 I used this method to make all the straps on my Mommy Poppins bag and the recent clutch wallet. They look sharp and stand up to daily-bag-use abuse. 

The Mommy Poppins Bag
Shoulder Straps – Corduroy, backed with interfacing, stabilizer insert
Cross Body Strap – Home Dec fabric, fleece insert 

The “Well Suited” Pleated Clutch Wallet
Cross Body Strap – suiting, backed with interfacing, no insert
Wristlet – quilting cotton, backed with interfacing, stabilizer insert 

How to Make My Favorite Bag/Purse Strap

We start with the Handle piece (backed with interfacing).

This method of strap making is adaptable to any size. Use the following dimensions:
Length = [finished length] + (2 x [seam allowance])

Width = [finished width] x 4 

Fold it up as you would to make double fold bias tape. (Fold in half length-wise. Press. Unfold and bring long edges to the center. Press. Then, fold in half length-wise again.) Press.

Now, unfold that last (center) fold and re-fold it inside out.

Sew both short ends.

See how this makes two pockets?

We take our Handle Stabilizer piece and tuck it inside one of those pockets.

The width and length of the insert is the same as the handles finished width and length. Use Peltex  for a stiff handle,  fleece for a soft one, or no insert at all for a lightweight handle.

Trim the seam allowances on the sewn short ends to reduce bulk.

Turn the handle right side out, with the stabilizer still inside its pocket.

Poke out the corners, press, and pin.

Top-stitch the edges (which also closes up the opening).

Isn’t it pretty?

(back to the sew-along)

To finish up our sew-along today, sew the handle to the canvas Side piece. (More details included in the pattern directions.)

I just sewed squares on each end, but you might prefer the traditional X-ed box.

Finally, switch to our canvas-matching thread, stay-stitch the bottom edge of the Side, and sew the short ends together.

That’s it for today! See you Wednesday.

Click here to see the other sew-along posts.

Filed Under: Sew-Along Tagged With: sewalong

Previous Post: « Corner Patches and Piping (Sidekick Sew-along Day #6)
Next Post: Sewing the “Upper Side” (Sidekick Sew-along Day #8) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daisy Henriques says

    July 26, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    I love your work!
    You can send me e-mail, the mode of this suitcase.
    Bag / Purse Strap
    Sorry for the english
    kisses

    Reply
  2. simone says

    January 26, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Wow, thank you for sharing this!!!

    Reply
  3. Marian says

    July 9, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    Now ………. I’m impressed!

    Reply
  4. Sharon Stewart says

    November 10, 2013 at 8:38 am

    Love this!

    Reply
  5. Ms. Jennifer says

    January 23, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    I’m a stitchin’ mama too. I love seeing other ways to do cool things. Your straight to the point work and candid ownership of fear and abilities are beautiful. Keep up the fantastic work.

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      January 24, 2014 at 9:48 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jennifer! I hope you stick around and we can get to know each other!

      Reply
  6. maria de jesus silva de lima says

    July 8, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    voce te video no yutb gosto muito de artezanato

    Reply
  7. maria de jesus silva de lima says

    July 8, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    voce te video no yutb gosto muito de artezanato

    Reply
  8. Elna Munro says

    December 30, 2014 at 12:52 am

    That is the best strap tutorial I have ever seen. Will make all my straps that way from now on. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Marian Dexter says

      January 14, 2017 at 12:13 am

      I can’t find the instructions to make straps this way. Would someone tell me how to find them?

      Reply
  9. Mara says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Thank you. This idea is great, and your explanation is perfect.

    Reply
  10. Gina says

    April 21, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    Ok-I’m totally impressed with this method. NEVER seen this before! I curse my straps when I have to turn them. I can’t wait to try!! Thank you!
    Gina @ Gina’s Craft Corner

    Reply
  11. jackie says

    August 20, 2015 at 11:34 pm

    Thank you. Makes straps so much easier. Very easy to follow.

    Reply
  12. ruthann young says

    August 30, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    Omg!!! I’m a new sewer n this strap is so so much more easy than I’ve been doing. Yay!!!!!

    Reply
  13. Georgia says

    March 9, 2016 at 9:54 am

    I loved this post! Thank u for making sewing so much easier!

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      March 9, 2016 at 3:26 pm

      you are welcome!

      Reply
  14. Magda says

    August 22, 2016 at 4:46 am

    Great tutorial. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Sandra says

    October 23, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    You’re good! So easy to understand and follow!

    Reply
  16. Brenda says

    October 24, 2016 at 3:23 am

    I knew it!!! There had to be an easier way. THANK YOU SO MUCH

    Reply
  17. AuntyRob says

    October 26, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    Wow! Great tutorial! Who knew it could be this easy to make bag handles! Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Flashinscissors says

    January 10, 2017 at 5:26 am

    OMGosh! Wish I’d thought of this!

    This is so much easier than the way I’ve been making my handles.

    I mentioned on a recent blog post ….. about making a Christmas bag ….. how I’d been pulling the wadding through the fabric tube ….. your way will certainly save my poor fingers!

    So glad I found your tutorial! Thank you for sharing!

    Barbara x
    Blogging as: http://www.theflashingscissors.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  19. Ayesha says

    January 18, 2017 at 2:06 am

    This is excellent thank you so much

    Reply
  20. Trish says

    March 3, 2017 at 1:40 pm

    Brilliant! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  21. Barb says

    April 10, 2017 at 12:08 pm

    Very nice tutuorial. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Natalie says

    June 13, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    Thank you so much for this tutorial!

    Reply
  23. Iva says

    June 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

    I love your work!
    Please can You send me pattern for suitcase.

    Reply
    • Jodi says

      June 20, 2017 at 10:03 pm

      It is available here: https://sewfearless.com/shop/sidekick-suitcase-pattern/

      Reply
  24. Barbara says

    July 26, 2018 at 9:33 pm

    I’m so glad I found this! I make tote bags from old sails and the fabric is very thick. It’s impossible to turn a tube made from canvas AND interfacing (for the straps). Your method works beautifully. Thank you!

    Reply
  25. Wendy Hanks says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:16 pm

    Thank you! I love making bags. I hate making the straps. I will try this next time. It seems so much easier that turning or trying to keep the folded ends together while I top sew it shut.

    Reply
  26. Marsha says

    January 17, 2020 at 10:35 am

    WOW…. such a simple method. I am so glad I happened on this tutorial. Thank you for posting and sharing.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    November 23, 2012 at 6:18 am

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    April 10, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    […] I tried out LiEr’s tutorial for making fully reversible bag straps.  Verdict: Trickier than my fav method, but makes for a really slick […]

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  3. Scribble ‘n’ Tote Lap Desk Tutorial (featuring Modern Yardage Fabrics) says:
    July 1, 2013 at 1:01 pm

    […] version doesn’t utilize interfacing or stabilizer, but if you want to add that in refer to this detailed tutorial about this style of […]

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