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

Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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)

Supplies - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Fold in half - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

Open out and fold each side into the middle. Press.

Fold again - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Add interfacing - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Top stitch - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Mark the centre - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Fold towards centre - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Slot ring into fold - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Centre connector 2" down - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Install the rivets - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Completed connector - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

Now finish the Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Ready for the strap - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

Close up of connector - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Fold and press - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

Open out and fuse the corresponding piece of interfacing down the middle of the fabric.Fuse interfacing - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

 

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

Fold in the short ends - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Top-stitch strap - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Fold each end under - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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).

Feed strap through ring - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Where to place rivets - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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.

Close up of finished strap - Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs

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

Completed Carry All Flexi Clutch - Adding a Shoulder Strap: Option #2 - Andrie Designs


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

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

  1. Marge says:

    I like it Lisa. I am making one just now. I was asked to make a purse /clutch to hold a tablet, phone and glasses and anything required for an airport holiday so that my friend can hold on to it with all she needs on the flight and no more. I am missing out the outer pockets. It is a great pattern. The strap option lifts it to a new level. Marge

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you so much Marge! The Carry All Flexi Clutch sounds like just the right sort of bag for your project and I can’t wait to see your finished clutch!! 🙂

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