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FREE Tutorial: how to make a shoulder pad for your bag strap

6/24/2013

12 Comments

 
charmed Liebling shoulder pad
add a shoulder pad to the strap of our bag for more convenience
pattern_shoulder_pad_.pdf
File Size: 262 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

I recently added a shoulder pad to the strap of one of my bigger bags for more convenience so I thought I’d share this in a tutorial. It is not very difficult but keep in mind to add the shoulder pad to your strap before you sew the strap onto your bag! Happy sewing!

--- This tutorial is free but for your convenience I decided to offer the complete tutorial as a PDF for download for only $2, if you prefer to have everything in one structured document ---

Download the pattern pieces from the pdf-file above, print them and cut them out. You should have two pattern pieces (#1 “bottom part” and #2 “top part”). When printing make sure your printer settings are set to "actual size" and NOT to "fit" so the pattern pieces will be the right size.

Hint: if you use oilcloth or laminated cotton like I did, sewing clips instead of pins are recommended, since pins will leave holes in your fabric.

You need:

Fabric: a few scraps will do
Bias tape 0.5” wide: approx. 50 cm (20”)
Fusible fleece, e.g. Pellon 987F  
Fusible interfacing, e.g. Pellon 931 TD

Cut:

-    from pattern piece #1 (bottom part): 2 pieces of fabric, 1 piece of fusible fleece
-    from pattern piece #2 (top part): 2 pieces of fabric, 2 pieces of fusible interfacing

All seam allowances are 1 cm (3/8”) unless otherwise stated.

1) Transfer the markings for the placement lines onto the fabric pieces #1.

shoulder pad step 2



2) Interface the two fabric pieces #2 (top part) with the fusible interfacing. Then put them right sides together, the short edges and the long edges should be aligned. Sew along the short edges, trim the seam allowance and turn right side out.

shoulder pad step 2
shoulder pad step 2
3) Interface one of the fabric pieces #1 (bottom part) with fusible fleece. Set aside.
shoulder pad step 4
4) Place the other fabric piece #1 right side up. Place the top part you have assembled in the step 2 onto the bottom part, matching the placement lines on the bottom part. Baste in place along the long edges of the top part.


5) Place this assembled piece onto the other bottom part (the one that you interfaced with fusible fleece). Put the two pieces WRONG sides together. You may baste along the curves or the long edges before you proceed to the next step.
shoulder pad step 5
Put the assembled piece onto fabric piece #1 with the fusible fleece attached
6) Fold one of the short edges of your piece of bias tape down by 3/8” (1 cm). Put it onto the assembled shoulder pad as shown in the pictures below (I suggest you start at the center of one of the long edges). Pin it down and put it all around the shoulder pad. Due to the rounded shape you may have to create a few pleats while going around the whole piece.
When you reach the beginning of the bias tape again, put the end of the bias tape on top of the beginning so that they are overlapping by approx. 1,5 cm (0.5”).
shoulder pad step 6
Start pinning down the bias tape at one of the long edges
shoulder pad step 6
shoulder pad step 7


7) Sew the bias tape down onto the shoulder pad, approx. 0,5 cm (3/16) “ from the outer edge.

shoulder pad step 8



8) Fold the bias tape over the outer edge of the shoulder pad and fold it down towards the other side. Try to make a neat binding, see also on the next pictures below.

shoulder pad step 8
Take your time with the folding of the bias tape to make it as neat as possible
shoulder pad step 8
The bias tape from the other side, all pinned down
shoulder pad step 9

9) Stitch all along the inner edge of the bias binding with a 0,3 cm (1.8") seam allowance.

Congrats! Your shoulder pad is finished!
If you like this tutorial or if you have any suggestions on how to improve it, I would be happy about a comment :)
12 Comments
Geraldine
8/22/2013 06:03:23 pm

Hmm. I have stopped using large heavy bags but you have given me an idea about making attachable shoulder pads for bras. The bras that have wide straps are not always attractive and they are expensive. I bet I can make some that are more discreet and with a Velcro closing that will save my shoulders. I know they make clear plastic pads but they are hot.

Reply
Anna
8/24/2013 09:22:23 am

What a great idea Geraldine! If you ever try it let me know if it worked out for you :)

Reply
Peggy
4/3/2017 07:26:53 pm

Did you do this? This is exactly what I was searching for when I found myself here

Reply
Gina link
8/15/2014 08:17:41 am

Hi! Thanks for this pattern. I could not find any other! I have a small strap from a pattern where there is no way I can widen the strap. They bag gets very heavy when full, so I think I'll try this out. :) Thanks!!
Gina

Reply
Anna
8/26/2014 11:17:27 pm

Thanks Gina! Glad you can use this tutorial for your bag pattern. Happy sewing :)

Reply
renee
8/26/2014 09:45:32 am

Hi! Is there any way to make one of these that you can slide over a strap already sewn in?? Maybe stitch part of it over the strap before you complete it or something? Thank you!!

Reply
Anna
8/26/2014 11:24:48 pm

Hi Renee,
Thanks for your questions. It should be doable, just stitch one side of the upper part down on the bottom part and then slide the shoulder pad over your strap and continue. Stitching the bias binding might be a little tricky with the strap always being in the way but it should work out. Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy sewing :)

Reply
ava
8/15/2015 09:52:02 pm

Hello Anna! Love your idea. This is soooooooooooooooo awesome! I love it so much!!!!! thank you soooooooooo much! I needed it badly and I tried something else but I failed at it :( I carry a sink in my purse,(not literally lol) so its really heavy and it feels like its about to rip my arm off... so yeah.... I LOVE it so much! And THANK YOU so much!

Reply
anna
8/16/2015 02:58:11 am

Hi Anna! We have the same name!
LOL. I really like your idea. Thank you!

Reply
anna
8/16/2015 04:28:42 am

Hi Anna we have the same name! LOL.... I like your thingymabobber sorry I don't know the name of it but thank you and I love it soooo much.... it really helps!

Reply
Linda
9/30/2018 06:01:40 am

Just what I have been looking for to finish my apron. Thank you for pattern.

Reply
Queensland link
3/29/2021 02:20:39 am

Hello mate greeat blog post

Reply



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    anna's blog -

    Welcome to my blog! I am an accountant who once started out her "career" in the US by designing bag and wallet sewing  patterns! My patterns are available on Etsy and occasionally I will share some of my sewing projects that I work on in my spare free time on my website.  Happy sewing :)

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