the schoolboy bookstrap (for schoolgirls too)

SUPPLIES:

1/4 yard home dec weight fabric

1/4 yard stiff fusible interfacing

3 1-inch buttons

matching thread

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut two strips of fabric and one strip of interfacing 3 1/2 inches by 44 inches. Iron interfacing to wrong side of one strip of fabric.

2. Cut off corners to form points at each end.

3. With right sides together, stitch two strips of fabric together in a 1/4-inch seam, starting on one long side and leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners, turn and press.

4. Topstitch all around the strip of fabric, closing the opening that was left for turning.

5. Measure 7 inches from one point and fold down. Sew on button through both layers to create handle.

6. Fold other end of strap in opposite direction until the point is directly opposite the point on the other side of the strap.

7. Mark button location by folding back point. Mark buttonhole, beginning at base of point. Sew buttonhole (through one layer of strap only!) and open with seam ripper. Sew button into place.

8. At approximately 17 inches from pointed end opposite handle, mark two parallel 1-inch buttonholes, each 1 inch from a long edge of the strap. Sew buttonholes and open with seam ripper.

9. Now, cut two strips of fabric and one strip of interfacing measuring 1-1/2 inches by 30 inches. Iron on interfacing to wrong side of one strip of fabric. Stitch strips together in a 1/4-inch seam, right sides facing, leaving an opening for turning along one long side.

10. Clip corners, turn and press. Topstitch the length of this strap, closing opening left for turning.

11. Feed this strap through the two side-by-side buttonholes on your other strap. Mark single buttonhole location near the end of the strap on the left, and mark two or three buttonhole locations on the other end of the strap. (This will give you the ability to make the strap bigger or smaller depending on what you are toting around.) Sew and rip buttonholes.

12. Mark button location on vertical strap approximately 8 inches below buttonhole. You can also determine this button’s location by laying out your bookstrap and marking the center point directly opposite the parallel buttonholes–exactly where the horizontal strap will want to connect at the front of the bookstrap.

13. Okay, last step–the pencil pocket! Cut two strips of fabric measuring 2 inches by 7 inches. With right sides facing, sew strips together in a 1/4-inch seam, leaving an opening on one long side for turning. Turn and press. Pin pocket to vertical strap, with the bottom side of the pocket sitting just above the parallel buttonholes, or the top side sitting approximately three inches from the point of fabric on the handle. Topstich three sides of pocket, leaving the top open. Stitch again down the middle of the pocket, from top to bottom, forming two narrow pockets for pencils.

Now pack up a notepad, a favorite book and a pair of pencils. You’re done!