Knowing Your Best Canvas Handbag

If the outings on your calendar include trips to the market or beach

, a fun afternoon or mall dash, you'll be wanting a canvas handbag. Most often it's washable and has over-stitched or enclosed seams. The top band, with or without a closure should have strong reinforced stitching to withstand the ""stuffing"" that can occur. Of course width, height and depth vary, and any decorative touches affect the ""voice"" of the bag.

There are types of canvas that are hardly more than cotton and others that require industrial machines to sew. The casual all purpose style is of medium weight with a tight weave. Some are stiff enough to stand up when not too overloaded, many styles are softer. Canvas totes like these are available in the basic colors and as well as very loud spoken prints. More creative designers add bling, decorative zipper pulls or simple contrast with bold stitching, trim or bottom.

Decorative wooden handles fit the smaller types of bags. Bamboo and even chain are other handle options. More common are the various thicknesses of strapping or handles of the same fabric as the tote. Unfortunately, big bags tend to invite large quantities of ""stuff"" and are soon so full that wheels seem the next option.

Likewise, if the handle is ""rope-like, "" check that the grommets are properly installed. Fold the top back to view the fabric against the grommet. Metal should be completely flush with the cloth, without irregular crimping. A long shoulder strap should have a visibly well made attachment or have the handle well extended into the lining or vertical length of bag.

The inside may have a few pockets for personal items and the not to be lost items like car keys. Examine your needs. Some intended cell phone pockets are not well designed, they may be too loose or too close to the top of the bag.

Dark colored fabric can leach onto lighter colors. So if your shirt is an all white go-to-beach favorite, be warned. Sometimes washing or soaking the bag in vinegar can help stabilize the color. Hand washing and hang drying is better.

That black bottom of a tote can be frustrating when blindly digging through. Try this solution that is even possible for non-sewers. Take your tote to the fabric store and tell them you want to iron on a light color interior bottom. Don't buy the cheapest, nor anything stretchy. The two sided iron-on is available from the roll and usually less expensive.

At home, follow the directions. The fabric should not overlap the seams at the bottom of the bag. When everything is turned inside out there can be a struggle to line up the bottom to correctly iron on the piece. So rearrange to flatten only one side of the bottom.Center it first. Pin. Stabilize with a book or wood piece underneath. With sticky side down, press with an iron set on medium, slowly, outward to the edge. When it's cool, rearrange so that the other side is flat, and repeat. Let it cool. Turn the canvas handbag right side out and take that friend shopping.

by: Jae Payes

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