Handles 101:
How to Attach Handles To Your Nonibag

By Nora J. Bellows

Important:  First and foremost, I DO NOT recommend that you put handles on before you felt, or flowers or anything else, as it can pull your hard earned bag out of shape.  


Felted I-Cord Handles

Felt handles separately from bags in small lingerie bags. Then apply by hand-sewing them to the inside of the bag with a double strand of good polyester sewing thread or “cordonette” (formerly known as button hole twist).  You will want to make sure that about 1.5 – 2 inches of handle is applied to the inside of the bag below the top edge in order to have a nice secure handle. 

If you are applying your handle to the outside of your bag, make sure that at least an inch of the handle is sewn to the body of the bag.


Purchased Handles

First, measure the width of the holes in the purchased handles. Next, cut out a piece of fabric approximately 20 in long and four times (or a little bit less) as wide as the measured holes, Figure 1. I usually use the same fabric as the lining.

Figure 1 - Fabric for the Handle Attachments

Fold the fabric in half the long way and press. Now fold each half one more time, Figure 2, and press again. No raw edges should be showing.

Figure 2 - Fold in Half and then in Half Again

Top stich approximately 1/8 in away from the two edges and cut the 20 in piece into 4 parts, Figure 3. Press one last time.

Figure 3 - Top Stitch and Cut into Four Parts

Thread each piece through a hole in the handle and stitch the raw edges together, Figure 4.

Figure 4 - Thread through the Handle and Stitch Together

Place on the felted bag and pin in place. Make sure the handles are nicely centered and protruding high enough to rotate easily, Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 5 - Pin to the Bag
Backing not required. Please see the lining instructions if you would like to use it.

Figure 6 - Check Position

Once you are happy with the position of the handles on the bag, just sew them to the felt using a whip stitch. Now on to the lining...