Purse Straps - Handles for Knit Felt Purses

Today I had an inquiry on options to attach straps to purses.  I guess I didn't realize how many methods I've used in my purse designs.  I've listed several here with pictures.  Let me know if you have any questions.









This is the most common way to add an i-cord to a purse.  After the base is knit and felt, punching holes in the fabric and adding an i-cord strap.  See my video of making an i-cord here.

In the Coral stripe bag, the strap is attached by sewing belt buckles to each side attaching the middle bar of the belt buckle to the purse anchoring it, then running the handle through each belt buckle and poking a hole in the flat felted knit/purl strap, made from the same yarn as the bag.  I believe this was a 9 stitch, knit 2 - knit RS and purl WS - Knit 2 pattern for the strap, to avoid curling.

I called this bag Camo because of the distinct browns and tans I used in the design.  The strap was sewn directly to the purse just folding over the ends and attaching to the outside edges.  It was handwoven on a loom using the same yarns as in the bag itself.  But this strap was not felted after woven.  When you enlarge the picture you can see detail better.

I used macrame to tie half knots in leather strapping for this shell shape bag.  Then I punched holes in either side of the opening and slipped the strap through, a larger knot on the inside holds it in place.

Another handwoven strap added after the piece was felted.  The closure strap is also handwoven and added later, I sewed it to the back and let it hang as a closure to the front.  The straps are attached with closed rings.  I designed a larger flap on either side of the felted bag to attach at the bottom of each ring by folding over from outside - in, then sewing in place with matching yarn.  The handwoven strap was sewn by wrapping it around the top of each ring in the same manner as the tabs on the sides.

This has a similar strap to the one above only I left a fringe on the handwoven strap, so I threaded the strap through rings on both sides and sewed the straps in place so that the fringe decorated the sides of the bag, matching the closure.

Last but not least, I've designed a pattern for this bag which has the strap built-in, when the piece is felted the bag is finished!!  Here's another view, and a link to the pattern.

THE KNIT PATTERN FOR THIS PURSE

Embellish your purse.  That's the topic of this published article on-line.

I read this the other day and decided I'd like to quote it:  Earth without ART is just "eh."  Get creative!!