Things You'll Need
1 1/2 inch wide webbing, 36" long
1 1/2 inch strap adjuster
1 1/2 inch side-release buckle
Thread
Needle or sewing machine
You may not believe it, but a gadget as simple as a luggage strap can make navigating through the airport much easier. Luggage straps keep your carry-on tied down to your suitcase for easier transport, and can serve as a marker on your bag. You can purchase brightly colored luggage straps designed to make your luggage stand out on the carousel, but the only way to make sure that your strap is really one-of-a-kind is to make your own.
Step 1
Feed about 1 inch of one end of the webbing through one end of the side release buckle. It does not matter which end.
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Step 2
Pull the raw edge of the webbing in to form a loop around the buckle.
Step 3
Tuck the raw edge of the loop underneath, or towards the inside of the loop, so it is no longer exposed.
Step 4
Sew this loop in place. If you are hand sewing your project, you will want to make three to four passes of stitches along the edge of the loop, where you tucked the raw edge under and there are three layers of webbing to sew through. This will ensure a strong hold.
If you are using a sewing machine, begin in the center of the edge of the loop and back stitch to the edge. Then put the machine on a zigzag stitch and sew straight across. At the end, backstitch again to the center. The backstitching will "lock" your other stitches in place and make your strap more durable.
Step 5
Feed the other end of the webbing through both slots of the strap adjuster.
Step 6
Feed the strap-adjuster end of the webbing through the other end of the buckle, leaving several inches on each side of the buckle to work with. You may have to slide the strap adjuster around to give you enough room.
Step 7
Feed the raw end of the webbing back through the underside of the strap adjuster. The webbing that was fed through the top side of the adjuster will have to be loose to make this happen. Feed through several inches so you have room to work with the raw end of the webbing.
Step 8
Fold 1/4 inch of the raw edge under itself, and then make the same fold one more time. If done properly, this will completely conceal the raw edge and form three layers at the edge of the webbing.
Step 9
Stitch the folded edge in place. If you are hand stitching, you will need to put sew back and forth three to four times. If you are sewing by machine, use a zigzag stitch for added security.
Step 10
Add any embellishments that will make your strap stand out. You can glue rhinestones or crystals on the buckle, stitch on a fabric flower or button near the edge of the webbing, or whatever else you can dream up.
Warning
When adding embellishments, be certain that they will not get in the way of the strap adjuster.
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