Adding a Cross-Body Strap to the Lindsay Wristlet - Part 1
Michelle Burke
Welcome to day five of Lindsay Wristlet Week! Today I have the first of a two-part tutorial on how to add a cross-body strap to the Lindsay Wristlet. Having a cross-body strap is a nice way to make this cute little bag easy to carry completely hands-free. I have found my Lindsay Wristlet perfect to take to school events, sporting events and when I just need the necessities when I am out and about. Adding a cross-body strap makes it so that I don’t have to worry about keeping track of a small bag and I can still clap, cheer or shop! The following tutorial will give you a cross-body strap that can adjust from an approximate length of 31” to an approximate length of 60”. If you don't yet have the pattern for the Lindsay Wristlet, see the links at the end of this post!
Here is what you will need (above and beyond what you need to make the Lindsay Wristlet*):
1/8 yard exterior fabric*
1/8 yard 20” wide fusible woven mid-weight interfacing (Shapeflex 101)*
1 - ½” D-ring
2 - ½” swivel snap hook
1 – ½” adjustable slider
*You probably have enough exterior fabric and SF101 to make the cross-body strap if you get the amount of fabric called for in the pattern!
We will start by cutting the fabric and interfacing.
From the exterior fabric cut:
Width of the fabric x 2” & 25” x 2” These will be the Cross-Body Strap
3” x 2” The Second Anchor Piece
From the SF101 cut:
1” x 50” (this can be pieced together as you iron it to the strap fabric, it doesn’t need to be one long strip)
Before you finish sewing up your Lindsay Wristlet, you will want to make the second anchor piece. All you need to do is make two anchor pieces instead of just one by following the directions in the pattern. There is one change I would make though, I would omit the interfacing on the anchor pieces. The interfacing makes the anchor pieces more stiff, which is fine for a wristlet but when you attach a cross-body strap, you want the anchor pieces to flex easily so that the bag hangs well. Easy enough, you get to skip the step of adding interfacing to the anchor pieces – woo hoo!
When adding the second anchor pieces, just clip/pin it to the opposite side of the front piece from where the first anchor piece is placed. Then just sew it in place in the same way you are instructed to sew the first one in place in the pattern.
Now that we have everything cut and we have made the necessary adjustments to the Lindsay Wristlet, we are ready to make a cross-body strap . . . but we will break for now. Tomorrow we will make the cross-body strap!
Don't forget the SALE that is going on all week! You can get 15% off all Uniquely Michelle patterns by entering the coupon code LINDSAYWEEK during checkout in my Website Shop or in the Uniquely Michelle Etsy Shop. You can also purchase patterns from the Uniquely Michelle Bluprint Pattern Shop where I have reduced the prices to reflect the 15% off. The sale ends this Sunday at 10:00pm (MDT).
Please share pictures of your Lindsay Wristlets and any other Uniquely Michelle creations you make on Instagram (#UniquelyMichelle) and on the Uniquely Michelle Sewing Patterns FB group! I love seeing everyone's creations!