{"id":35172,"date":"2023-07-28T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T07:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/?p=35172"},"modified":"2024-08-15T14:40:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T13:40:11","slug":"flawless-flaps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/flawless-flaps\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Tips for Sewing Flawless Flaps – Bag Making"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scroll down for the French translation \u2013 Faites d\u00e9filer l\u2019\u00e9cran vers le bas pour voir la traduction fran\u00e7aise de l\u2019article.<\/em><\/p>\n

Flaps often serve as the focal feature of a bag, so getting a neat finish on a flap can make a big difference to the finished look of your bag. In this blog post I’ll discuss seven tips to successfully sewing a beautiful flap.\u00a0Every Friday we write a new blog post for bag making tips. Join our mailing list<\/a>\u00a0to receive it directly to your inbox along with other exclusive perks. The tips included in this post may be helpful in other sewing situations, but this post is specifically written in the context of bag making. The post may contain affiliate links.<\/p>\n

Seven Tips for Flawless Flaps<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Use a stabiliser<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Cut your fabrics and stabiliser carefully<\/li>\n
  3. Get those curves right<\/li>\n
  4. Press for success<\/li>\n
  5. Take your time topstitching<\/li>\n
  6. Consider the closure<\/li>\n
  7. Practice makes perfect<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"Trekoda<\/a>
    A Trekoda mini backpack featuring a bright and cheerful flap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    1. Use a Stabiliser<\/h2>\n

    No matter what fabric you choose to use for your flap, it’s generally a good idea to add a stabiliser between the layers. Why? Stabiliser will reinforce your flap, making it firm and durable. It helps the flap keep it’s shape which makes it more aesthetically pleasing. Including stabiliser in your flaps will give your creations a really professional looking finish.<\/p>\n

    Common stabilisers are Decovil I (Heavy)<\/a>, Peltex 71F<\/a> or similar. If you’re using heavy fabrics, a lighter stabiliser may be best such as Decovil Light<\/a> or Thermolam 971F<\/a>. The brands may vary in your local area so check out your local sewing shop to find a stabiliser that suits your project. If the pattern doesn’t include details for a stabiliser, be sure to cut it small enough so it wont’ be caught in the seams, but will be the correct size to support the entire flap.<\/p>\n

    \"Flap
    For this flap I’ve fused Decovil Heavy stabiliser centred, on the wrong side of the fabric<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    2. Cut your fabrics and stabiliser carefully<\/h2>\n

    If you’ve tried our Lemonza Clutch Wallet<\/a> sewing pattern, you’ll know our preferred method for sewing a flap involves cutting the stabiliser to the finished flap size and using a zip foot to sew around the edge of the stabiliser. This method gives your flap a really neat finish. However, this will only work if you cut your stabiliser carefully!<\/p>\n

    \"Lemonza
    Use a zipper foot to guide you round the stabiliser and get beautifully accurate curves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If you’re sewing the flap fabric pieces together first and adding your stabiliser later, it’s equally important to cut the fabric carefully as the accuracy of the fabric shape will effect the accuracy of the seam you sew. You also want to cut the stabiliser carefully as it needs to fit into the flap and fill out the edges without being too big or small. This will impact the look of the flap, especially when the bag is well used.<\/p>\n

    3. Get Those Curves Right<\/h2>\n

    As mentioned in tip 2, my preferred method for flaps is to cut the stabiliser to the finished size and shape of the flap. I then use a zip foot to slowly follow the stabiliser around the curves. The stabiliser should guide the zip foot creating a perfectly neat curve. If you don’t get it right first time, you can always sew a second seam ensuring it’s closer to the curve on the second try.<\/p>\n

    Once your curves are sewn, use a pair of pinking shears<\/a> to trim the seam allowance. Don’t get so close that you cut the stitching, but you do want to reduce the seam allowance. The little triangle cut-outs allow the fabric to sit neatly on the curve once the flap is turned right side out.<\/p>\n

    \"Flap
    Use pinking shears to trim the seam allowance. This will help your curves when you turn it right side out<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Once your flap is turned right side out, be sure to use a turning tool<\/a> or chopstick to push the seams out and get those curves laying flat.<\/p>\n

    4. Press for Success<\/h2>\n

    Once your flap is turned right side out, press, press, press! When you’re using cotton fabrics, the iron is your best friend. It will help flatten the seam and get a neater finish.<\/p>\n

    What if you’re using fabrics that don’t like irons? Perhaps you’re using waxed canvas or leather….? Don’t panic, there’s a great little tool called a seam roller<\/a>. It helps to press the seam flat quickly and easily.<\/p>\n

    \"Seam<\/a>
    A seam roller is great for fabrics that can’t be pressed with an iron<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    I know pressing is a bit boring, but don’t skip this step. It makes a big difference to the final look of your flap.<\/p>\n

    5. Take Your Time Topstitching<\/h2>\n

    Topstitching can completely change the look of your finished flap. If you’re aiming for an elegant and subtle finish, consider using a matching thread colour. As you can see on the Ojyma crossbody bag<\/a> shown below, a matching thread colour also helps hide any imperfections in your stitching.<\/p>\n

    Even if the topstitch isn’t standing out and immediately obvious to the eye, it still has a function. It keeps the edge of the flap laying flat and ensures the fabrics don’t move around over time. Without topstitching, you may find that in time the lining fabric will start to show the flap stretches and moves on the edges. Topstitching prevents this and keeps the edge neat and tidy.<\/p>\n

    \"Ojyma<\/a>
    An Ojyma crossbody bag with matching thread colour for the topstitching<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    6. Consider the Closure<\/h2>\n

    There’s lots of options for flap closures: magnetic snaps<\/a>, rivet snaps<\/a>, feature snaps<\/a>, buckles<\/a>, buttons and more. There’s also a large variety of fun feature magnets available, particularly from custom hardware shops in the USA.<\/p>\n

    The closure design you choose should compliment the style of the bag you’re making. It’s also worth remembering that a heavy flap closure can add weight to the flap, making it easier to close.<\/p>\n

    \"Lemonza<\/a>
    A Lemonza Clutch Wallet with a feature magnetic snap closure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    7. Practice Makes Improvement<\/h2>\n

    Last but not least, remember that practice makes everything easier. And practice doesn’t make perfect, after all we’re all human. Practice makes improvement, so don’t get too upset if your flaps aren’t always perfect. Do your best, and know that it’s usually only you that will notice those little imperfections. They’re not as noticeable as you think!<\/p>\n

    If you’re ready for an extra challenge, try adding piping to a flap. For the Ojyma crossbody bag<\/a> shown below I kept the piping out of the seam but it adds an extra special detail to the finished bag.<\/p>\n

    \"Ojyma<\/a>
    An Ojyma crossbody bag with piping added to the flap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    Summary<\/h2>\n

    Keep these seven tips in mind when sewing your next flap, and your bag is going to look fabulous. We’re in this bag making journey together, learning new skills at every opportunity. If you have extra tips for sewing flaps, please let us know in the comments below. If you want to get started sewing a bag with a flap, check out the following sewing patterns that include flaps:<\/p>\n