Help me make this shoulder bag more comfortable to use!

November 20, 2024 8:17 AM

Found in the depths of my closet is this Strand bookstore shoulder bag purchased 14 years ago. I want to make it my main bag for everyday, but I need a lil help making it less uncomfortable to use.

I have rudimentary sewing skills, first off.

1: How do I pad that shoulder strap part? I am busty so it cuts into whatever shoulder I'm draping it over. (Relevant because of many years of bad bras, I too now have the scars from them between neck and shoulder.)

2: How do I stiffen the inside, mostly just the back part that would rest against your torso? Cardboard?

I appreciate any assistance, y'all. This bag was a cheering up present from Shepherd on my one and so far only trip to NYC in 2010.

posted by Kitteh to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Since the strap unclips, I'd set aside the idea of modifying it and instead replace it with something wider and more comfortable.

With respect to the inside, do you have a picture of the inside? I'd use a sheet of stiff plastic rather than cardboard, which will eventually fall apart and turn to mush if it gets wet.
posted by mhoye at 8:40 AM on November 20, 2024 [7 favorites]

For the shoulder strap, they sell various pads you could use - here's one from Amazon or just google "shoulder strap pad".
posted by j810c at 8:45 AM on November 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

Felt bag organisers are a thing. If you do a search on Etsy you can find loads. I appreciate you may not need an organiser as such. But they also give structure to soft sided bags. Do you want to create more stability in general or just smooth out that side? Not sure any material would do that because the other three sides would still flex a lot forcing the material to do more work. In any case, I‘d explore a piece of thick felt or a felt organiser.

It would be easiest to replace the strap with a more comfortable version. You can also buy those on Etsy.
posted by koahiatamadl at 8:46 AM on November 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

There are several ways to work this: you can make the same type of pad only thicker. You could make a removable pad. Or you could just buy a pad. Here's one type--there are tons others.

It looks like you can take the original 'pad' off and use it as a pattern or incorporate it into any sewn project if you'd like. Sewing gets you a nice-looking matching/contrasting pad, buying gets you a serviceable item that works and might actually be cheaper in terms of time/materials. If you really don't care too badly about looks and want maximum padding, get a length of pool noodle and wrap it around with sticky fabric tape.

I'm not sure I'd want cardboard as a stiffener because it wouldn't curve to your hip, but I did make a stiffening board for a tote bag out of a dollar store plastic folder that didn't look too bad and worked well to keep it from collapsing. I tucked it under a seam to keep it from getting in the way, but double sticky tape could also work. Again, if you want to get fancy, you could glue a thin sheet of foam on to plastic or cardboard and then cover it in fabric to match/contrast.
posted by BlueHorse at 8:49 AM on November 20, 2024 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Do you want to create more stability in general or just smooth out that side?

Stability, for sure!

Thx for the idea of replacing the strap, y'all. I did not think of that!!
posted by Kitteh at 8:50 AM on November 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

Do you have any of the folding reusable shopping bags that have the thin bit of plastic in the bottom? I'm thinking something like that would be good to try as a stabilizer. Stick-on velcro (reinforced with a few stitches on the bag side) might work to keep it in place, or sew some elastic or ribbon into the bag diagonally across the corners to tuck the plastic into, maybe. It's not going to be a super-permanent solution, but it shouldn't be too hard to replace when needed.

Buckram is often used to give fabric soft-to-firm structure, so a patch of buckram might work if you're up for some basic but heavy-duty sewing, since you'd probably want to cover the buckram patch with something that feels nicer. Sewing through two layers of fabric plus buckram is doable, but slow. It would make the bag spot-clean only, though - can't get buckram thoroughly wet.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:49 AM on November 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

For a plastic stiffener, you want something that isn't brittle, the way acrylic/plexiglas can be. You don't want it to sharply crack/shatter. For a cheap experiment, I'd try one of those corrugated advertising signs that are posted all over utility poles, or perhaps repurpose a campaign sign.
posted by xedrik at 12:23 PM on November 20, 2024 [1 favorite]

Another idea to firm up that side - a layer or two of plastic canvas. Added bonus would be that, because it's a grid, you could easily tack it into place with a few stitches so it doesn't move around on you.
posted by stormyteal at 1:00 PM on November 20, 2024 [2 favorites]

maybe a purse organizer & or using dollar store chopping mats to stiffen them
posted by oneear at 1:30 PM on November 20, 2024 [1 favorite]