Hello lovelies!

Today I thought I'd post a tutorial on how to make an adjustable bag strap. Or if you live over t'other side of the pond an adjustable purse strap.

My new bag pattern (eee!) is hopefully coming out later on this month..no, wait, next month, June, and it will include instructions for an adjustable strap.

So I thought I'd post a picture heavy tutorial in case anyone needs some extra guidance. I don't want to load my pattern full to bursting!

I've picked up this method through various books, tutorials and a bit of trial and error!

Ok, to begin with my buckle and triglide had a 1.5" width inside. So I made my strap pieces 52" x 6" and 10" x 6".

If your buckle was 1" then you'd need 52" x 4" and 10" x 4". If your buckle was 1.25" you'd need 52" x 5" and 10" x 5". Get it? I'm not very good at maths but you multiply the interior of your buckle by 2 and then multiply that by 2 again.

Spray starch will make this so much easier and your folds crisper. It's only cheap so invest in a can, you can thank me later!

Ok, step 1) Start with your short strap piece, it's easier to man handle!

Step 2)

Step 3) repeat for the bottom.

Now your short strap piece is ready, start on your long strap piece. Yes, it really does need to be 52". Unless you're making it for a child or an elf in which case you can shorten it to suit.





Ok, now your pieces are folded they should stay (if you used starch like I told you to) but a couple of pins never hurt anyone. Except when you get spiked with a pin, that hurts.

Anyway, topstitch your short piece down the two long edges (you can do all 4 if it makes life easier) and around all 4 for your long piece. You might want to change to a heavy-weight needle for this and practise with your tension before starting...things are GOING TO GET CHUNKY!



I've done a folded piece of paper for sewing chunky things picture in case you want to pin it, my boards are full of tips!



This is what you should end up with, two strap pieces ready for the hardware.

Ok, on to the adjustable strap making bit.











That's it, just sew either end of your strap to the top of your bag, sew your lining in and you're ready to go. If there's anything missing or you're not sure of anything give me a shout and I'll try to help.

I promise it's not as complicated as the pictures make out and it's easier when you are actually doing it yourself. :)

I've not yet found metal buckles freely available so ordered some from a factory made to my specifications myself. They're available here: Handbag Supplies

Don't forget to use the code ATHOMEWITHMRSH10 for 10% discount!

Alternatively you could use a plastic buckle and triglide set which are cheap and freely available all over the internet!

Do you ever wish you'd brushed your fingers through your fringe and tucked that stray bit back before posing for photographs with the groom?


Yar, me too.

Anyway, here's the best of the bunch of photos on my camera (I'm blaming Mr Dusband for the out-takes!) for my what I wore.

I know it will probably hang over the edge of my border but if you're going to have a 6 person What I wore, it deserves the space right?

It was my dad's wedding on Sunday and to my younger sister Amanda's wedding he'd worn a tuxedo T shirt. To my wedding I made him wear a smart hire suit to match the other men but in the evening he stripped off to reveal this...


So the day we heard he was getting married us 'children' hatched a plan. Tuxedo T shirts. It didn't matter what style, as long as they were T shirts. Amanda and Matt chose Welsh Daffodils and Liz chose an English rose. Dus & I embraced our my love of pink :)

I'm not sure many others really got the joke but my dad loved it, would you ever wear a tuxedo T shirt to a wedding?

Samantha xx

At home with Mrs H

We actually went into Battle one day (the town, not the war). The town Battle is where the battle of Hastings happened in the year 1066. You can pay £9 each to go and walk round the actual muddy field where the battle took place. We didn't. We stood outside and took a photo of the entrance to the abbey and battlefield so I could blog about it.



We got some soup out of the freezer.......waited a while for it to defrost and heated it up.

haw haw, I'm just so funny!

Last week we went on our first holiday alone (together) since our honeymoon 2 1/2 years ago. It was nice not having to be polite to other people for a whole (almost!) week!

We started off in Winchester on Sunday seeing some of our friends. I call them besties but secretly I add an a in there and in my mind call them beasties. They didn't know this til now. Hi beasties!!


We went to Winchester Cathedral and sat and waited for Evensong to start. We lasted about ten minutes before we got a bit fed up and wanted to go for tea and cakes (although it was beautiful etc) so we sneaked out. Well, myself and my two beasties sneaked out, Dus stopped in the middle of the aisle to do up his shoelace. Ha! No shame.

It's been repainted since and is a lovely cream colour with brown door. Very tasteful!

Monday we continued eastwards to our destination for the remainder of the week, a little holiday cottage near the town of Battle. I would highly recommend this accommodation if anyone is ever in the area looking for 4* luxury. We honestly didn't want for anything! Except maybe some more chocolate but seeing as it's self catering, that was my own fault. You can check out the website for it here.

We popped into the nearest supermarket in Bexhill on Sea and had a little drive around to see if we could see the sea. Evidently we could.


And an ice cream van. For those of us who don't live right near the sea, there's always a small thrill at the first glimpse I find. It didn't matter that this was a stony beach, I love the smell of the sea and just seeing those crashing waves. It's easier for us in the UK to go to the seaside I guess because no matter where you are, you're no more than a few hours away unlike in the US where you could be a good day or two away!

The next morning we were the luxurious winners and breakfasted like we were on holiday with pain au chocolat (chocolate pants) and brioche, big round cups of tea and crystal glasses of juice.


I know, you're jealous right?

Anyway, the rest of the week followed with typical tourist things like going to visit Michelham Priory and eating super overpriced chocolate brownie in the tea room.


I obviously thought you'd rather see some lovely wood panelling than my chocolate brownie. Or I ate it too fast, one or the other :)

We were by far the youngest people at this tourist hot spot for coach trips but we didn't care, we love going round old places.

I took a photo of this baby walker....would you say it was retro, vintage or just plain OLD?

Okie, so we were coming home from our holiday in England this Sunday so here's a rubbish photo of what I wore.

Mint green cotton cable knit slash neck jumper, jeans and a rather fetching but life saving seatbelt.

Shockingly bad photo I know, makes you wonder why you even bother to read my blog eh? Never mind, tomorrow there'll be a recap of what we did on holiday, that'll be better :)

Le Geek, c'est chic!

Apparently being excited by these metal doors in Winchester was geeky.

I don't care, I loved it!

Oh yes, what I wore. Running shoes (for running away from King Arthur), jeans and rain coat. Bright pink rain coat. One day I'll do a post based on my raincoat as instructed by my friends who were amazed by it yesterday.

Anyway, we were tourists yesterday, super fun!

Today I saw the sea. :)

I have a fab exposé of my crafting closet for your delectation, and a tutorial on how to remix the Melly Sews rose t shirt pattern but I'm just far too busy to type them up!

Here's a photo of me when I was a little chubbster to keep you going.

yes, I promise it really is me!

I was a UK size 16 here, I went up to a size 20 at my worst. Junk food sure does have a lot to answer for!

Here's me now I eat better. I say better cos I just had a consultation with my nutritional therapist about how my diet is super high in sugar....apparently I'm causing my adrenal glands to be fatigued. Ooops! 


p.s. this is the top I'll do the tutorial for....maybe tomorrow. Today is not looking good at all!