How to make fabric straps

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make your own fabric shoulder straps for the Bella bralette and cami pattern. If you can’t find shoulder strapping in a matching colour or you want to use your cami or lining fabric, this is an easy way to make professional looking straps.

In the tutorial find the length measurement required for your size for the non adjustable straps, and cut them 5cm / 2 1/2″ longer, so you can trim the ends neatly when you’re finished. The width you will need to cut is 3.5cm / 1 3/8″ wide. This will make straps that are approx 1cm / 3/8″ wide.
For a narrower strap cut the width at 2.5cm or 1″ wide. This will make a strap that is approx 6mm / 1/4″ wide.

I used a clear elastic for my straps that was 6mm / 1/4″ wide. You could use 12mm / 1/2″ wide depending how wide you want your straps to be. The clear elastic helps if your lace is slightly see through, but if you’re using a knit material you could also use a lightweight woven elastic.

With the right sides of fabric together, fold your straps in half lengthwise. Overlock / serge the straps together, placing your elastic on top of your straps as you feed them through the machine. Make sure that the elastic is close to the edge but not so close that the blade cuts it. The clear elastic can be a little slippery, but once you get it under the foot it should glide through easily.

Your straps should look like this after overlocking / serging with right sides together.

After you’ve done this with both straps, use a safety pin to pull them right side out.

Pin the safety pin as shown through one side of the material and then slide it through the straps.

Hold on to the safety pin as you push it through and slide the strap right side out.

Press the straps with a cool iron making sure the seam is at the back.

Cut the straps to the required length, trimming the ends neatly.

Your straps are ready to attach to your Bella Bralette!