Pattern Hacks
Heavy Hauler Crossbody Strap
Sometimes when carrying a tote bag, you just wish it had a crossbody strap! Well, you are in luck! We’ve put together a quick and easy post that’s directly linked to the recently re-released Heavy Hauler Bag Tote pattern (though it can be adapted for many other patterns as well of course!). Enjoy!
To make the strap connectors you will need the following:
- 2 pieces of fabric, 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm)
- 2 pieces of lightweight interfacing, 2″ x 4″ (5cm x 10cm)
- 2 D-rings, 1″ (2.5cm) size
For the adjustable Strap:
- Fabric for strap 4″ x 60″ (10cm x 152cm). The general recommended length is 60″ (152cm) long)
- 2 Swivel Hooks 1”(2.5cm) size
- 1 strap slider 1”(2.5cm) size
- Interfacing 2” x 60” (5cm x 152cm)
Let’s start with the strap connectors:
Take a strap connector and fold it in half with the wrong sides together. Press. Open out and fold each side into the middle. Press. Open out and fuse a corresponding piece of interfacing down the middle of the fabric. Re-fold the fabric and press well. Top stitch using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance down both long sides of the connector and down the middle. Repeat to create the other connector.
Fold the connector in half and press.
Slide on the D-ring and sew close to the edge of it. Securing over the edges a couple of times.
Place your strap connectors at the sides of your completed bag. You want ½” (1.3cm) overhang. Baste in place following the edge of the exteriors with a ¼” (0.6cm) seam allowance.
Attach the liming to your exterior following Step 19 – Assembling Your Bag in the pattern. When you trim your seam allowance before turning the bag out, DO NOT trim the ends of the strap connectors!
Topstitch your bag following the pattern. Since you will have 2 lines of stitching for the bag frame, the overhang of the strap connector will be caught securing it in place multiple times!
Finish the bag as per Step 20 – Finishing Your Bag in the pattern.
For the strap:
Take your strap and fold it in half with the wrong sides together, matching long sides. Press. Open it out and fold each side into the middle. Press. Unfold the strap completely, fold the short ends in 1/4″ (0.6cm) and press. Re-fold the strap and press well.
Top stitch around all four sides using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance as well as down the middle.
Fold each end under 1” (2.5cm) to the ‘wrong side’ of the strap and press well.
Feed one end up through one side of the slider, over the centre bar, and back down the other side, slotting the centre bar into the fold. Pin in place and stitch 2 – 3 times to secure along the 1/8” (0.3cm) row of topstitching you made earlier as well as a second line 1/8” (0.3cm) from the topstitching.
Take the shoulder strap and feed the end that doesn’t have the slider attached down through one of the Swivel Hooks, ensuring the ‘wrong side’ of the strap is facing away from the swivel hook.
Feed this same end up through the slider, over the centre bar and back down, so the end attached to the slider is sandwiched between the strap.
Feed the end of the strap through the other Swivel Hook. Slot the swivel hook into the fold and stitch 2 – 3 times to secure along the 1/8” (0.3cm) row of topstitching you made earlier as well as a second line 1/8” (0.3cm) from the topstitching.
Attach your strap to your bag and you are good to go!
You can find the Heavy Hauler Bag Tote pattern here!
We hope you found this little tutorial helpful! When you make your next bag with an adjustable strap, make sure to pop over to the Andrie Designs Patterns Facebook Group and share it with us there!
Happy Sewing!
