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Step 3Measure & Cut Slits for Straps
Since the straps will be used to expand and contract the bag, the straps will be woven through the body of the bag, which means cuts must be made to weave through.
While you can use as many slits as you want and place them at any distance apart, I used an even number of slits--this allows the straps to be positioned outside the bag for extra support at the bottom and as well as where they form handles for better balance and support.
To place your slits, first mark where you'd like the straps to be placed on the bag in terms of its width. Once you know where you want them, measure in equal distances from the sides and draw a vertical line, indicating where the outside edge of the strap will be in relation to the bag. I measured in 1.5" (plus .125" for the waste amount) on each side for mine. Then measure slightly less (the felt will stretch) than the total width of your ribbon or strap material and draw another vertical line parallel to your first line (toward the center of the bag). My ribbon was 1.5", so I measured an additional 1" toward the center of the bag to mark the second edge. So, from each side, I measured in 1.625" (.125" for the waste plus 1.5") for the outer mark and 2.625" (1.625" plus 1") for the inner mark.
Once the vertical position is marked, mark the horizontal position of each slit. Since I used 10 evenly spaced slits left and right, front and back), to calculate their placement, I divided the total length of the finished bag (16") by 10, giving me 1.6" (1-3/5"), then I divided that in half (.8" or 4/5") to determine where to place the first one (splitting the distance between top and bottom).
I measured .8" up from the bottom of the bag (the fold) and marked my first slits between the vertical position lines, left and right. For the remainder of the slits, simply measure up from the slit the full amount (1.6" for me) and mark that distance above the slit below until you have 10 slits, each left and right.
Once you've marked the the slits, carefully snip them open with the sharp fine point of sewing scissors. If you've only marked slits on one side, be sure you cut through both layers of felt, so they're cut front and back.
While you can use as many slits as you want and place them at any distance apart, I used an even number of slits--this allows the straps to be positioned outside the bag for extra support at the bottom and as well as where they form handles for better balance and support.
To place your slits, first mark where you'd like the straps to be placed on the bag in terms of its width. Once you know where you want them, measure in equal distances from the sides and draw a vertical line, indicating where the outside edge of the strap will be in relation to the bag. I measured in 1.5" (plus .125" for the waste amount) on each side for mine. Then measure slightly less (the felt will stretch) than the total width of your ribbon or strap material and draw another vertical line parallel to your first line (toward the center of the bag). My ribbon was 1.5", so I measured an additional 1" toward the center of the bag to mark the second edge. So, from each side, I measured in 1.625" (.125" for the waste plus 1.5") for the outer mark and 2.625" (1.625" plus 1") for the inner mark.
Once the vertical position is marked, mark the horizontal position of each slit. Since I used 10 evenly spaced slits left and right, front and back), to calculate their placement, I divided the total length of the finished bag (16") by 10, giving me 1.6" (1-3/5"), then I divided that in half (.8" or 4/5") to determine where to place the first one (splitting the distance between top and bottom).
I measured .8" up from the bottom of the bag (the fold) and marked my first slits between the vertical position lines, left and right. For the remainder of the slits, simply measure up from the slit the full amount (1.6" for me) and mark that distance above the slit below until you have 10 slits, each left and right.
Once you've marked the the slits, carefully snip them open with the sharp fine point of sewing scissors. If you've only marked slits on one side, be sure you cut through both layers of felt, so they're cut front and back.
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