Webbing straps are extremely popular, and I love how they can be used to add pops of color to most bags. One thing I like to do when making straps with webbing is add bits of leather to hide the raw edges. This can be done a few ways, but here I will show you the quick and easy method I use when working with 1 ½” wide webbing and our pre-cut leather strap ends (video and written instructions below).
First, you will need to grab your strap ends. You can purchase pre-cut leather strap ends here on our website, or you can download a FREE printable copy of our PDF template to cut your own. See the links below.
Materials & Supplies
TWO Yards 1 ½” Wide Webbing (Cut into 2 pieces - ONE 10" and ONE 50" or longer)
TWO Webbing Strap Ends (link to downloadable template above)
ONE Scrap of Leather (cut to 4 ¾”W x 1 ¼”H)
ONE 1 ½” Rectangle Ring
ONE 1 ½” Adjustable Slider
TWO 1" Swivel Clasps
Leather Glue (We used Fabri-Tac)
TWO Double Cap Rivets & Tools to Set Rivets
Instructions for Making an Adjustable Strap (video follows)
If you would like to make an adjustable strap using strap ends on both ends of your strap, you will need to make the strap in two pieces. Here is one method I use for this (written instructions AND video below)...
Cut one strip of 1 ½” webbing to 10" long. Cut a second strip to 50" long (or your preferred length).
Slide a 1 ½” rectangle ring over one end of the 10" strip opf webbing, then fold the webbing in half so the raw ends meet. Sew a line or small rectangle near the raw edges of the webbing to hold together.
Slide a 1" swivel clasp over one end of a leather strap end and slide it to the center (the 1" wide section of the strap end).
Add glue on the wrong side (flesh side) of both square areas on the leather strap end.
Trim the raw edges of your webbing strap so they are neat and there is minimal fraying.
Optional: Add a seam sealant (e.g., Fray-Check) to prevent future fraying, or depending on the webbing type, burn the raw edges to seal the ends.
Fold the leather strap end in half over the raw edge of the webbing (see the video below and note the position of the webbing before it gets sandwiched between the folds of the strap end). The webbing should be placed as far down as possible within the square area of the strap end, but without extending into the section that tapers in toward the center.
Sew around the perimeter of the strap end using a ⅛” seam allowance as you sew along the sides. NOTE: If using a domestic machine, be sure to use a leather needle and an increased stitch length for neat and even stitches. Some domestic machines could struggle due to the double layer of webbing and the double layer of leather, so test your machine first! In this case you might opt to attach your strap end with leather glue and rivets only.
Now, set the 10" strip aside, then move on to the 50" section of the strap...
Thread one end of the 50" strip through a 1 ½” adjustable slider. You will be going up through the bottom of the slider, over the center bar, and then back down through the slider.
Pull the end of the webbing through the slider by approximately 2 inches. Sew a line or a small rectangle near the raw end of the webbing to hold everything in place.
To cover the raw edges, add glue on the back of the 4 ¾”W x 1 ¼”H leather scrap then wrap the leather around the webbing. Set two rivets to secure the leather to the webbing.
Slide the free end of the 50" strip of webbing through the rectangle ring that was attached to the shorter piece of the strap earlier. NOTE: You want to make sure the shorter 10" piece is RIGHT SIDE UP, and the 50" strip is RIGHT SIDE DOWN - then slide the free end of the 50" strip of webbing UP through the rectangle ring. Make sure everything is positioned correctly to avoid having an upside-down piece on the finished strap (see the video as a reference).
Continue to pull the end through the rectangle until you reach the slider then thread the webbing up through the slider, over the center bar, then back down through the slider (you will be passing over the webbing that was previously attached to the slider).
Follow Steps 3-8 to attach the second leather strap end to the remaining free end of the webbing. You are done!