Purse Handles
 

I have to make several purse handles. The instructions say to cut pieces 2 1/2", sew right sides together and turn. As you know, that would take forever. Some where I am remembering a purse handle that begins as 1 piece of fabric and then you fold, iron, refold and sew? Can anyone give me some guidance on a quicker way to get the nice results I am hoping for? Thank you!

I have made something like that. Don't know if this is what you want but here goes. I cut my fabric handle 6 times wider than finished size (usually about 6 inches. ) I fold it in half lengthwise and press, then fold the open side one inch towards the center and press, then fold the folded size on top and press and sew down. Works easily and the extra fabric is really needed for a purse handle. I used batting inside with this also. Does this make sense?

Cheryl222 does it the way I do it. I also put a medium weight Pelon inside also. The handles need some strength in them and just fabric that is single weight isn't enough. I also stitch on the edges and down the center after it's folded and pressed.

You could cut pieces 4" wide, press in half, then open it up and press the raw edges towards the middle. That would give you 1" finished straps. If you wanted them padded, you could use batting or fusible fleece cut about 1/4" smaller than the fabric. Center the fleece on the fabric and continue as above. I usually stitch about 1/4" away from the edges using a walking foot (it helps a lot).

I agree with cheryl222. If you don't put batting or something in the handles, they are flimsy and slip off your shoulder. Fusible batting is the easiest, if you have it. I also stitch up the handle 1/4" away from the edge on both sides and sometimes up the center too.

Just last night I made handles for a denim rag tote bag. I cut the handles 3" wide and my length happened to be 32". Remember these dimensions are for a tote bag so are longer than for a purse. Then I cut Thermolam batting 2 1/2" x 30".
The batting was centered on the wrong side of handle fabric. I then turned up on the ends about 1/4" - 3/8" to hide the raw edge. Then finger pressed the raw edges over the batting on the long sides of the handles, folded in half matching fold edges together.
Pinned to secure and then edge stitched all around.
These handles turned out looking very nice.
Hope this helps.

Chris

I like the way the bow tuck handles are made. 5" strip the length you want. Fusible pelon on wrong side. Fold both edges to the center then fold in half. (you end with 4 layers plus pelon) Triple stitch- edges and center. NO turning!

I cut almost all my straps at 4". Fold in half, press then open. Cut fusible fleece at 7/8" (2 pieces length of strap. Fuse close to center line on each side of center. Fold and press edges of fabric over fleece. Fold in half again. Stitch on each edge and you have a nice padded strap 1" wide.

I cut 4.5", lay out horizontally, fold bottom in to center, fold top down with another fold under that slightly covers the bottom fold. Then top stitch down the center.

If you want to turn handles as your pattern calls for-------------cut a good heavy piece of string. sew the end to the end of your handle. Then keep string inside the fold. After sewing down the side, pull the string until you have the handle right side out, take out the end stitches holding the string-------------almost painless.

Or buy one of the turning tools available.

This is my method too.

I agree with cheryl222 and sally j. Sometimes I just buy cotton belt webbing, measure the length I want, sew it on the inside or into the top seam of the bag.

I also use the method katier825 uses. You get great looking straps that are much nicer than those that have to be turned.

That is my method of making bag handles also.

All of the suggestions given should work well for you. I have used most of them. It is important to use a padding of some type for strength. When stitching the edges, I use a fancy stitch which makes the handles quite pretty and professional looking. :):):)