Easy Expandable Felt Tote Bag

Step 7 Attach the Fasteners

Mark the bag where the ribbon hits the top edge of the bag when it's expanded. Sew the hook portion of the hook-and-eye fasteners to the top outer edge of the bag where you've marked it, centered against the ribbon, so that the hook is facing up and out of the bag. Do this at all four strap/bag intersections.

Link the eye to the hook you've sewn to the bag, so the eye is pointing down when hooked. Bring the ribbon straight up against it and mark the ribbon where the eye hits. Sew the eye to the ribbon. Do this on all four straps.

These will be the hooks for the extended position.

Pull the straps up while pushing the bag down, so that the bag gathers. Once it's contracted to the dimensions you want it when it's its small size, mark approximately where the hook at the top of the bag hits the pulled ribbon. Measure this distance and mark it on all four straps, measuring down from the four eyes you've already attached (mine are about 7" down from the expanded position eye). Sew eyes in this position on each of the four straps.

Make sure all your eyes are sewn firmly down so they'll stay flat even when some pressure is applied, so they won't snag when the ribbon moves through the bag.