How to Make Adjustable Straps

Co-authored by Mia Danilowicz

Last Updated: March 1, 2021 References

You can easily make an adjustable strap using a metal rectangle and slider piece, some strap material of your choosing, and a sewing machine. Once you sew and cut two strips of strap material– one shorter, one longer– it’s just a matter of weaving the strap material through the slider and ring correctly. Learn how to make your own adjustable straps for an added feature on a purse or bag, or as a way to improve the fit of a bra!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating an Adjustable Bag Strap

1
Choose, cut, and reinforce your strap material. You can purchase strap material for your bag, such as canvas, leather, or denim. You can also make your own strap material out of the same fabric you used for your bag, if you made the bag yourself. To make your own strap material out of fabric, cut a piece of fabric to about 1.5 times the desired maximum length and double the desired width of your strap. Then, iron fusible interfacing onto the inside of the strap to fortify it. Sew a straight stitch along the raw edges of the strap with the wrong (inner) sides facing out, and then invert the strap.^{[1]
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- Fusible interfacing is available at craft supply stores. It is a type of fabric that you can iron onto the inside of an item to reinforce it, making it stiffer and stronger.
2
Cut your strap into one long and one short strap piece. Cut the strap you just sewed into two pieces: one that is about 3 in (7.6 cm) longer than your desired maximum length, and a second strap that is about 6 in (15 cm) long.^{[2]
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- For example, if you want to be able to adjust your strap up to 20 in (51 cm) long, then cut a long strap piece that is 23 in (58 cm).
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3
Fold the short piece around the metal rectangle. Take 1 end of the short strap and thread it through the opening in the metal rectangle so that it is about halfway through. Then, fold the end of the strap over so that it is even with the other end of the strap.^{[3]
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- It is okay if the ends of the strap are raw. They will be hidden on the inside of the bag. However, you may fold the ends of the strap under before you sew if you want to hide the raw edges.
4
Sew the ends of the short piece to the inside of the bag. Press the 2 ends of the strap to the inside of the bag on the side. Form a loop with the 2 pieces so that the ends overlap the edge of the bag by about 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Then, sew a straight stitch about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the raw edges. Sew across the strap 2 to 3 times to ensure that it is secure.^{[4]
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Tip: If desired, you may use a zigzag stitch instead. This adds a decorative touch to the strap.
5
Sew the end of the long piece to the other end of the bag. Press 1 end of the long strap against the inside of the other side of the bag. Position the strap so that the end overlaps the edge of the bag by 0.5 in (1.3 cm). Sew a straight stitch about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the raw edge of the strap.^{[5]
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- You may want to sew across the strap more than once to ensure that it is securely attached.
- If you want the strap to be detachable, then you may want to sew clips to the ends of it instead of sewing the strap directly to the bag. This is only advisable if the bag already has metal rings on it that you could attach them to, or if you are going to sew those metal rings on yourself.
6
Insert the long end of the strap through the slider and metal rectangle. Take the other end of the long strap and insert it into the slider on 1 side, then bring it up and over the bar and back down through on the other side of the slider. Move the slider about 1/3 of the way down the strap. Then, insert the end of the strap through the metal rectangle attached to the other side of the bag and pull it through by about 6 in (15 cm).^{[6]
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- You may need to pull the end of the strap through a little more or less depending on the length of your strap.
7
Fold over the end of the strap and insert it through the slider again. After you bring the strap through the metal rectangle, bring the end of the strap back over the bar and through the opening in the slider again so that the end is about 1 in (2.5 cm) past the edge of the slider.^{[7]
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- Don’t pull the end of the strap too far past the slider. You only need a little space to secure it.
8
Sew the end onto itself to secure the adjustable strap. Once the strap is through the slider again and pressed against itself, sew a straight stitch 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the raw edge to secure the strap to itself. This will complete the adjustable strap for the bag.^{[8]
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- Cut any loose threads after you are finished, and your adjustable strap is ready to use!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Adjustable Bra Straps

1
Cut a 45 cm (18 in) and 3 cm (1.2 in) piece of strap elastic. Measure the elastic along the edge of a tape measure without stretching the elastic. Mark the elastic where you need to cut it. Then, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut out the elastic pieces.^{[9]
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- If you are following a pattern, then defer to the lengths indicated by your pattern.
- You can purchase strap elastic at a craft supply store.
2
Insert 1 end of the long elastic through 1 of the openings on a slider. Take the 45 cm (18 in) piece of elastic and insert 1 end through 1 of the openings in the slider. Pull until the elastic is about 2 cm (0.79 in) through the slider.^{[10]
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- Make sure to insert the elastic through the slider so that the right (outer) side of the strap elastic will be facing up on the side that the elastic goes up and over the bar.
3
Push the end of the elastic back down through the slider. Next, take the same end of the elastic and bring it back down through the other side of the slider. Pull the end of the elastic until it is taut against the slider.^{[11]
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- You might want to test the elastic with your slider before continuing. If the slider is too wide or too narrow for the elastic, then your adjustable bra straps might not work properly.
4
Sew the end of the elastic onto itself 1.5 cm (0.59 in) from the slider. Fold the end of the elastic over. Then, sew a straight stitch about 0.5 cm (0.20 in) from the end of the elastic to secure it to itself and keep the slider in place.^{[12]
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Tip: You can also use adjustable straps on tank tops and dresses.
5
Thread the other end of the elastic through the ring. Next, take the free end of the elastic and insert it through the end of a ring. Pull until half of the elastic strap is through the ring.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
- Be careful to keep the elastic straight as you pull it through the ring.
6
Insert the end of the elastic through the slider. Next, take the end of the elastic strap and push it up and over the slider bar so that it goes alongside the other part of the strap. Pull until the elastic is taut against the other strap.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
- Make sure that the strap elastic is straight as you insert it through the slider.
7
Sew the end of the elastic strap to your bra.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.} Hold the strap so that the slider is facing right-side up. Press the end of the strap on the inside of the bra in the front. Then, sew a straight stitch about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) from the end of the strap to secure it.^{[18]
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- You may want to repeat the stitch 1 to 2 times to ensure that the strap is secure.
8
Sew the ends of the short piece through the ring on the inside of the bra. Loop the 3 cm (1.2 in) piece of elastic through the ring. To secure the other end of the strap, take the small piece of elastic that you cut out and insert it halfway through the ring at the end of the long strap. Then, use a straight stitch to sew the ends of the elastic to the inside of the bra on the back side.^{[19]
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- Repeat the stitch 1 to 2 times to ensure that it is secure.
- After you have finished 1 strap, follow the same process to make the second strap.

Expert Q&A

Question

What kind of sliders do I need?

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.

Mia Danilowicz

Master Tailor

Expert Answer

You will need to source lingerie rings and sliders. These can be purchased at many craft stores. You will need to make sure that you get an appropriate size based on the width of the strap and color as there are many options.