Sewing Tutorials: Step-by-Step Guides for All Levels

Make an adjustable bag strap: Free sewing tutorial!

by Kellie Rose | Mar 6, 2023 | Care and Repair, Fabric, Interfacing and Interlining, Project Ideas, Quilt Fabric, Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

I recently found this fab vintage bag in a charity shop but the strap was too short for my liking… I decided to replace the strap so I could wear it cross-body, whilst adding a pop of rainbow at the same time ✂️ So here’s a quick post on how to make an adjustable bag strap!

This is a really easy project – knock one up in less than 30 minutes ⏰

Knowing how to make an adjustable bag strap is a really useful skill to have in your sewing techniques toolbox… I’ve replaced quite a few of the straps on my daughter’s bags as she’s grown… it’s also a great option if a current bag strap is uncomfortable, or just a bit tatty & worn out.

Replacing the strap can prolong the life of your fave bag, or just give it a new look! You only need a few supplies too!

Scroll down for a written tutorial or catch the vid below…

How to make an adjustable bag strap

A sewing project for: Beginner Friendly

Sewing Time: Under an hour

Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here

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Make an adjustable bag strap in less than 30 minutes

Need to know:

For steps using machine sewing, straight stitch, backstitching at the start & end using stitch length 3mm unless otherwise stated.
Read through the instructions fully before starting

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

You will need:

Thank you for supporting our online shop with your sewing shopping… It means the world to us & enables us to keep putting out FREE content like this for you to make & create ❤️

We have an amazing selection of bag hardware and notions… check out our full range of bag-making supplies here

Boring Legal Bit: If you follow any tutorial or guidance found in this post, or on this blog, you agree to be bound by our disclaimer which can be viewed here

2m of your chosen webbing of strapping
2 x swivel clips (also know as dog hooks) that match the width of your webbing or strapping
1 x slider that match the width of your webbing or strapping
2 x D-Rings (optional – if you’re using an existing bag then you are likely already to have D rings already sewn in)

Sewing Equipment You Will Need:

Coordinating thread
A machine needle that is strong enough to handle double thickness of your chosen strapping (eg a denim or leather needle)
Scissors
Tape measure or ruler
Quilting clip
Basic Sewing Kit

Make a replacement cross-body bag strap

Cut off the original strap

Make a replacement bag strap - Step 1 - Cut off the original strap

2. Thread 1 end of your webbing/ strapping through from the underside of the strap slider. Bring the end over the central bar then thread back through to the back

3. Sew the end to secure – a zipper foot can make this easier

4. Thread a swivel clip/ dog hook onto the strap. Hook on the opposite side to sewn hem near the slider

Step 4- Make a replacement bag strap - thread a swivel clip onto the strap.

Want to know your #5 from your #3 zip? Check out our Zip Type Guide

5. Checking the strap isn’t twisted, thread the unsewn end of the strap through the slider

6. Thread the unsewn end through the remaining swivel clip

7. Sew the strap end down to secure the hook around the final swivel clip

8. Clip and go!

And you’re finished, well done!

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Reusable Gift Bag Sewing Tutorial

by Kellie Rose | Nov 28, 2022 | Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

This post will be updated soon, please check back shortly

What’s the best wadding for a hot water bottle cover?

by Kellie Rose | Oct 3, 2022 | Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

Autumn is definitely here! And so are pricey energy bills, so there’s no surprise many of you are sewing up hot water bottle covers to help keep you keep toasty in bed whilst saving energy by avoiding putting the heating on. We’ve had lots of people get in touch to ask what is best wadding for a hot water bottle cover so I made this quick video to talk you through some options…

WHAT’S THE BEST WADDING FOR A HOT WATER BOTTLE COVER?

If you found yourself here because you’re making a hot water bottle cover then you’ll need a pattern so hop on over and grab yours here ! Our gift to you to help you out on those chilly nights… You can grab your free pattern & tutorial to make your own hot water bottle cover over here

Thank you for supporting our online shop with your sewing shopping… It means the world to us & enables us to keep putting out FREE content like this for you to make & create ❤️

If you are interested in the full details of the waddings I mention in the video then you can check them out over on our website :

Want to learn more about wadding/ batting? You might also be interested in our full Guide to Quilt Wadding here

READ OUR GUIDE TO QUILT WADDING

If you have any fabric or product-related questions please don’t hesitate to get to leave a comment! We love hearing from you and your questions give me ideas for helpful content we can create for you…

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PVC Clear Vinyl Zipper Pouch: Zipper Hack

by Kellie Rose | Aug 29, 2022 | Tutorials, Zips

Our love affair with these decorative star zippers continues… We're not sure if we love the zip star pull more or the star cut-outs on the tape! Inserting these decorative exposed zips has a different construction method to regular zips so we've hacked our original Clear Vinyl Zipper Pouch Tutorial and replaced the continuous zipper tape […]

This post will be updated soon, please check back shortly

How to Enlarge A Collar With A Collar Expander – No Sew! Care & Repair Series #4

by Kellie Rose | Aug 21, 2022 | Product Guides, Sustainable Sewing, Tutorials

Welcome to post number 4 in our Care & Repair Series! Today we’re offering a solution to an annoying problem – how to enlarge a collar that is too tight… without any sewing! We’re going to be talking about how to use use a collar expander in this quick product guide.

We wanted to bring these little wonder products to your attention – who knew they were even a thing?!

These nifty little extenders are NO SEW and a great little temporary fix that can even be switched between garments.

With this series of Care & Repair blogs we really want to bring into focus all sorts of different ways in which we can all reuse, repurpose, repair and rejuvenate the clothes that we already own.

A shocking 300,000 tonnes of discarded clothing goes to landfill every year in the UK. according to Wrap, the waste charity, this is up 5% of the UK’s carbon and water footprint. And small things like this can really add up.

Being able to adjust the size of a collar that’s snug can help give a shirt a longer life. These collar expanders can also be used on skirt or trouser waistbands too!

Expanders aren’t permanent fixtures to your garments so they can easily be switched between different shirts – just make sure you take them out before your shirt goes in the wash!

The collar expanders come in a variety of sizes and finishes…. make sure you select the best match for your garment, although it’s unlikely you will see it if you’re wearing a tie, you do need to make sure the collar expander will fit through your garment’s existing buttonhole

These plastic collar extenders will increase the neck size of a shirt by half a collar size and do not stretch.

The other metal extenders do stretch and come in a variety of sizes

How to Enlarge A Collar With A Collar Expander

Choose the collar extender that best matches your garment

Take the white disc in your fingers and feed the loop through the buttonhole.

Loop the band over the existing button on the collar.

Alternatively you can start by looping the loop around the existing button and then feeding the white disc through the buttonhole.

This is what the collar extenders look like when used correctly.

6. The larger collar extenders can also be used for waistbands. You need to match the size of the disc on the Expanders as closely as possible to the original button.

And that’s it! It really couldn’t be more simple, could it?

Check out Hemline’s video for a demo of the metal variety, which are stretchy, rather than fixed like this one

Thank you for supporting our online shop with your sewing shopping… It means the world to us & enables us to keep putting out FREE content like this for you to make & create ❤️

Linking Collar or Waist Expanders Together

Should you need greater ease at the waistband or collar, the expanders can be looped together to create a larger stretch like this.

So you can see how easy it is to prolong the life of your garment if it’s become a bit snug.

Stay tuned for more posts in our Care & Repair series

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Free Exposed Zipper Pouch Pattern & Tutorial

by Kellie Rose | Aug 17, 2022 | Project Ideas, Tutorials, Zips

For the love of cute! We are totally smitten with these decorative star zippers… Not only is there a cute star zip pull, but there are cut-out stars along the zipper tape! Inserting these decorative exposed zips has a slightly different construction method to regular zips so we just HAD to put together a tutorial […]

This post will be updated soon, please check back shortly

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