Welcome to Day 2 of the Hey Mercedes Sewalong. If you need to catch up, head over to Day 1 to get started. Here’s a recap of what the sewalong will look like:
- Day 1: Preparing the pattern, cutting the fabric and interfacing, and fusing the interfacing
- Day 2 (that’s today): Sewing handles and handle connectors, and creating pockets
- Day 3: Final assembly of bag
Please note: this sewalong is meant as an additional guide to the pattern instructions found in Windy City Bags; please read through pattern instructions in the book as well.
Handles
Making the handles for the bag is similar to making double fold bias binding. Start by taking one interfaced handle piece and fold in half, matching long sides, press in the centre, then unfold and bring those long, raw edges to meet in the centre, press in place, then fold again, matching long folded edges. Topstitch along both long edges about 1/8″ away from the edge. I like to increase my stitch length here for a smoother, neater look. Repeat with other handle to have 2 completed handles.
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Handle Extenders
We’ll need 4 matching sets of handle extenders. Since you cut them in pairs, you should have 4 sets that match up quite well in mirror image. One you’ve paired them up, pin or use wonderclips to hold them sides together, and sew together, leaving the short straight edge unsewn. The book suggests that leaving a turning hole further up the curved edge may help turn the extender later, but I have a trick that will make turning these so easy, so just go ahead and see all the way around except the short straight edge at the bottom. You’ll want to follow the curve with your stitching, so take your time here. You may need to use smaller stitch lengths to get around corners nicely, and stop with your needle in the down position to lift your pressed foot and turn the fabric. Once you’ve sewn all 4 handle extenders, you’ll need to trim the seam allowance, and clip into the curves and notch around outer curves, as shown in the book. You could also just trim the seam allowance with pinking shears to speed this step up a bit. Watch this video to see how easy it is to turn the handle extenders. I used a spool of thread and a chopstick; you can use similar items from your sewing supplies too!
Love your tip about turning the strap right side out. Will have to try it as it makes it look so easy
I tried your tip for turning the strap and it is SO EASY. I love it.Thank you for your genius tip
I’m so glad it worked for you! I certainly had an “aha” moment when I figured it out.
Your strap turning trick? Excellent. I thought I didn’t need it and did a strap my way – it was painful and icky. So I watched your video and used your tip. SUCCESS! EXCELLENT!
Oh, I’m so glad you tried it and liked it. Thanks for the feedback.
I can’t see the video – just white space where it should be. Tried opening it on FB and in my browser. Any advice? I’d so love to know what you do with the spool!
Hi Trisha, sorry you’re having troubles. I’m going to try loading it to YouTube and linking from there. I probably won’t have it up until the end of the weekend though. While you’re waiting, I’ll try to explain what I do: I feed the spool inside the handle, then use the chopstick to put a small piece of the handle into the spool, and push the handle right side out.