Help with handle

[lola4525]

I am making a purse for a friend of mine. She is 11 yo. The pattern call for a shoulder strap that is too long for her. What is the best way to measure her for the strap so that is fits her? Please help. Thanks.

 

Lola

[misssmaggie]

Is it a secret gift or does she know you are making it? If she knows...let her show you where she would like the purse to rest. Everyone likes the strap at a length that is right for them. I like the purse to rest against my ribs and just under my arm if it is a large bag. But if it is a small bag, I like it to rest on my hip.

[RoseRed]

I'm with you maggie - I like my handles long. My daughter on the other hand likes the bottom of the bag to rest at her waist.

 

you could always drape a measuring tape over her shoulder to see how long you need it.

 

or get her to play with a couple purses and measure the handle of the one she likes best.

[darski]

I agree that purses tend to be a very personal choice. I like a strap that can go "cross-shoulder so it stays in place while I have my hands free toi do what I need to do.

 

Could I just offer a suggestion about purse straps that I found here at the ville. Use a strand of fine fishing line (or invisible nylon thread) with your strap yarn to keep it from stretching. I love this idea . I have had major saggies before and it ruins the project for me when they "go south"

[lola4525]

Thanks for the help. She knows about the project, so I can measure her. Darski how do I incorporate the fishing line into the handle? It sounds like a good idea. She is going to use the bag to carry her books for back to school.

 

Lola

[darski]

You just crochet with the strand of line and the strand of yarn as if you had two strands of yarn.

 

it does work. I did it on a smaller project and it helped.

[JCB]

Since she knows about the purse being made for her, does she have a purse that has straps the length she likes? If so, measure those straps.

 

Joan

[lola4525]

Thanks Darski, I am going to try it. I will let you know how it comes out.

 

Lola

[mamarose22]

Perhaps you can make tabs and attach D rings on each end of the purse. Make the straps the length stated, make a buttonhole on the end, thread it through the D ring, and place 2 or 3 buttons on the straps. This way she can button it up, to the length she likes.