How to Make Soft Bag Handles

This is a handy method for making soft bag handles to attach to a wide array of bags that you might be stitching.

Steps

1
Take the long strip of bag handle fabric and fold it in half lengthwise with the right side facing out, and press.
2
Lay the strip of double sided fusible fleece down the centre of the fabric.
3
Fold the long edges of the fabric into the centre, and press - this will activate the adhesive in the fusible fleece and bond it to the fabric.
4
Fold the resulting strip in half length ways again.
5
Take the strip and divide it into 2 equal lengths. Open up the strip again and fold the raw edges down, as shown in the photo, fold back in half again.
6
Top stitch the handle all around.
7
Attach to Bag- First place pin onto the bag where you would like them to be and try it out for fit. The length and placement can be adjusted before they are sewn down. Overlap about 2–4 inches (5.1–10.2 cm) of the handle on the bag. Sew a square or box shape over your top stitching and across the top, then sew an X through the box by sewing corner to corner inside the box. This strengthens the handle. Sew over the stitches at least one more time depending on how much weight you intent the bag to carry.