Carry All Flexi Clutch – Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2

Hi everyone! Continuing with our short series on adding a shoulder strap to your next Carry All Flexi Clutch, today I have a post for you by none other than, well, err, myself!

My take on adding a shoulder strap is a little different to the approach Aimee from The Little Bird Designs took last week so will hopefully give you even more ideas to try. You can find Aimee’s post here.

Not familiar with the Carry All Flexi Clutch? Not a problem! You can find the pattern here.

So, let’s get started! To make two strap connectors you will need:

• 2 pieces of fabric, 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm)
• 2 pieces of lightweight interfacing, 2″ x 4″ (5cm x 10cm)
• 2 rectangular rings, 1″ (2.5cm) size
• 2 rivets, 3/8″ (9mm) size (optional)

To make the strap you will need:

• 1 strip of fabric, 4″ x 27″ (10cm x 69cm)
• 1 strip of lightweight interfacing, 2″ x 27″ (5cm x 69cm)
• 2 rivets, 3/8″ (9mm) size (optional)

Referring to the Carry All Flexi Clutch pattern instructions, work up to step 13 (page 7) and stop. Prior to completing step 13 and assembling the outer body of your clutch, create and attach your connectors as follows –

Take a strap connector and fold it in half with 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. Repeat to create the other connector.

Make a mark across the centre on the ‘wrong side’ of each connector.

Fold each short end in, wrong sides together, meeting them in the middle at the marks you drew. Press well.

Slot a rectangular ring into one of the folds (the top fold if your fabric is directional) and glue/tape both folds in place. Repeat for the second strap connector.

Place one strap connector right side up at one end of the outer gusset, also right side up. Centre it horizontally and ensure the top fold where the rectangular ring is sitting is 2” (5cm) down from the top raw edge of the gusset.

Stitch to attach using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance, ensuring you stitch as close to the rectangular ring as you can.

Install a rivet 1/2″ (1.3cm) down from the top row of stitching and centred.

For help on installing rivets, see the related Hardware Heaven blog post here.

Repeat to attach the remaining strap connector to the other end of the gusset and then continue assembling your outer body as per step 13 (page 7) of the pattern.

Once your Carry All Flexi Clutch is fully assembled, it’s on to the strap!

Begin by folding the strap piece of fabric in half with wrong sides together, matching long sides. Press. Open it out and fold each side into the middle. Press.

Open out and fuse the corresponding piece of interfacing down the middle of the fabric.

Fold the short ends in ¼” (0.6cm) and press.

Re-fold strap and press well. Top stitch around all four sides using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance.

Fold each end under 1” (2.5cm) to the ‘wrong side’ of the strap and press well.

Feed the end of the strap through a rectangular ring, ensuring the ‘wrong side’ of the handle is facing towards the bag when the bag is being held (and in my photo, away from the bag when the strap is hanging down).

Slot the rectangular ring into the fold and stitch 2 – 3 times to secure along the 1/8” (0.3cm) row of top stitching you made earlier. Also stitch a second row as close to the rectangular ring as possible.

Install a rivet centred between these two rows of top stitching and also centred horizontally.

For help on installing rivets, see the related Hardware Heaven blog post here.

Repeat to attach the other end of the strap to the other side of your clutch and you are done! How easy was that! 🙂

And that’s all there is to it! I hope you’ve enjoyed this wee hack and feel tempted to try it on your next Carry All Flexi Clutch! Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments below!

Click here to find out more about the Carry All Flexi Clutch pattern and until next time, happy sewing! Lisa x