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Old 04-29-2015, 05:15 AM
  #8  
PaperPrincess
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
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Pretty, pretty fabric!!!
You can fix this by adding a couple of ribbon ties. Make sure you use a good quality ribbon, at least 1/2" wide, cut 2 pieces about 12 inches, and attach to each side of the bag between the handles. Zigzag the ends so they don't ravel.
I usually leave about 5" between the handles if they are short 'grab with your hand" handles and about 6" if they are shoulder straps.
The choice of fabric/batting/quilting will also affect how the bag drapes. A sturdier combo, such as a canvas fabric, using a stiff interfacing or a really dense quilting motif will allow the handles to be placed farther apart because the bag can support itself.
One additional comment. The handles should extend about 2" into the bag which would allow you to box stitch them on. With cargo as expensive & fragile as a PC, you don't want them coming loose. If you look at the way these handles are attached, you can see what I mean by box stitching. The illustration shows the handles attached to the outside, but you can use the same technique if they extend inside between the outer fabric & the lining.
Step 4: Stitch the handles to the bag
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Tote-Bag
And finally, to make really sturdy handles, I like to wrap the entire bag:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...bbing-Handles/
Sorry for the lengthy answer. Can you tell I make a lot of bags
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