{Tutorial} Adding Commercial Handles to Handmade Bags

Hi everyone! I have a great little tutorial to share with you today that will take your handmade bags to the next level! Commercial store bought handles will give your tote the perfect finishing touch and make you look like a total professional. And really it could't be easier!

JoAnn Fabrics makes spring crafting so simple during national craft month with a $5 off $25 or more purchase coupon and spring crafting inspiration website!

Supplies Needed:
Commercial Handles (I got mine at JoAnn's. They're microfiber.)
Fabric scraps for creating tabs-4 pieces cut to 2"x2 1/2"

Favorite tote or purse pattern…pieces cut and ready to go
general sewing supplies

Alright, let's get to it!




1. Cut your tabs. 4 pieces at 2x2 1/2 inches
2. Fold in half along long side and stitch with 1/4" seam allowance (repeat for all four tabs)
3. Press seam open.
4. Turn inside out. Press. Press in half wrong sides (seam side) together and insert through ring of handle.
5. Baste edge closed with 1/4" or 1/8" inch seam. Whatever you feel comfy with but also be mingle of your bag pattern. If your pattern calls for 1/4 seams, use 1/8 so that your basting stitches are hidden in the seam.
6. Repeat for all four tabs and you're done! Now you can follow your bag pattern.

Oooooooh ahhhhhhhh. See what a difference that makes?!?!? Looking good. 

Here is the inside of my bag. Other professional touches I like to add are magnetic snaps, pockets, and boxed bottoms. These little details make such a huge difference in the finished look, functionality, and style of your bag.

All these supplies can be purchased at your local JoAnn's! Happy crafting friends!!

{travel tips for special needs families}

Hi there! A few weeks back we went on a little family getaway to Las Vegas. We had tons of fun! Swam a lot, ate a lot...so nice to get out of town with my boys for a few days!

For those of you that are like us and have a child with autism {or any special need}, you know occasionally they can get distracted and become as I like to call "a flight risk". Meaning that at any given moment they could be right next to you and then see something interesting and bolt with no notice at all {toddlers and preschoolers do this too :P}. 

Anyhow, this factor lead me to do a little prep work before we headed out of town...

 ID Cuff & Bag Handle

The hand strap is from an AWESOME tutorial by Make It & Love It. My son is almost 8 so he's a little "too cool" to hold my hand, but because he's a bolter when something catches his attention, I needed to do something! This worked out great. We didn't have to use it too much either. Just in large crowds. The handle gave him just enough freedom but kept him right with us. Peace of mind for momma :)

 The handle has a loop at each end. One to hook onto your bag...

 and one for the child to hold onto. We'll be using this at Disneyland during the crowded season too.

 My next project was this ID cuff. I saw this idea online, but didn't have time to order {super slacker who waited until the last minute} so I kind of just made it up as I went...

 Fun boy print, velcro closure.

 Inside is lined with flannel and has a label with his ID info on fabric paper that I sewed onto the flannel. Pretty easy peesy and he wore it with no complaints...SCORE! If we weren't in the pool or the room, he had the cuff on. Proud to say, we didn't lose him once!

I'm so glad that I took the time to make these these things before our trip. When you have a little on with special needs, travel is hard and taking extra precautions for safety can be necessary.

Do you have a child with special needs? What are some things that you do to prepare for traveling?

Wishing you safe and happy vacations this summer!

Don't forget to enter the Christmas in July fabric giveaway! Enter HERE.