How to Pick Strap Fabric for Handmade Purses

Picking fabric for your purse isn't a hard job. Make it an easy decision, and buy enough fabric to make the entire purse and strap from the same material. Look around the house for inspiration and scraps of fabric, if there's not enough material left over from sewing the purse.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap fabric
• Ribbons
• Old purses or bags
• Old jeans or shirts

Instructions

1. Use the same fabric you used to make the body of your handmade purse. Make it sturdy as you need for a strap, double it up, or sew a form into the strap.

2. Find an old belt or anything else long and stable around your home. Think outside the box and don't overlook simple pieces like curtain cords, old blankets or any other creative items for purse handles.

3. Cut a section out of a pair of old jeans. Iron the fabric flat before cutting your straps out of the material.

4. Use the straps off an old purse that's worn out or that you haven't used in years.

5. Take the straps off a tote bag or back pack if they are big enough for the purse.

6. Find a leather piece of scrap fabric at a fabric store. Recycle a leather belt from an old coat.

Tips & Warnings

• Purse handles don't have to be made out of fabric. Use a chain, wood or metal bars, heavy duty ribbon or a beaded necklace for straps.

• Sew a piece of cardboard inside two pieces of fabric for extra handle support, or buy handle supports pre-made to help you make your handmade purse.