Sew a Shoulder Strap
Sewing a shoulder strap is a fairly simple process that requires only minimal sewing experience and skill, and the process is easily adaptable to your individual needs. You can sew a removable shoulder strap with clasps at each end-either with or without padding-that easily can be modified to produce shoulder straps for bags or totes.
Instructions
1. Measure from the front of one hip, over the opposite shoulder, and down to the center of the back. Add 2 inches to this number-this is the length of your shoulder strap.
2. Note the desired width of your shoulder strap-2 inches is fairly standard-and multiply this number by two. Add 1 inch for unpadded straps and 1 1/2 inches for padded straps. For example, the width of the fabric for a padded 2-inch strap is 5 1/2 inches.
3. Cut a fabric rectangle using the measurements you determined in the first two steps. Cut a rectangle from cotton batting to make padding for your strap, if desired. It should be 2 inches shorter than the fabric rectangle and as wide as the desired width of the strap.
4. For an unpadded strap, fold the fabric rectangle in half lengthwise with the "right" sides facing. Sew a 1/2 inch seam down the length of the fabric.
For a padded strap, fold the fabric rectangle in half lengthwise with the "right" sides facing. Place the length of cotton batting over the edges, so that the center of the cotton batting will be sewn to the fabric when you sew a 1/2 inch seam down the length of the fabric.
5. Turn the shoulder strap right side out. Iron unpadded straps flat. For padded straps, iron the strap with the seam in the center, then sew down the length of the strap on either side of the center seam to hold the batting in place and help the strap lay flat.
6. Fold up one end of the strap 1/2 inch and sew this closed. Slip this through the loop of your clasp, and securely sew the end to the strap with the folded in tucked under to hide the rough edges. Repeat this process on the other end of the shoulder strap.
Tags: fabric rectangle, shoulder strap, cotton batting, down length, strap with, desired width
