Clover Create-a-Strap Review

Pre-cut, perforated strap interfacing. Ideal for quickly creating straps and handles — simple press, fold and stitch!

Note From Nancy: “Create a coordinating or contrasting fabric trim. Get quick, easy and attractive results!

This is a serious understatement. If Clover hired me to work for their marketing department, here is what I would re-write this:

The Clover Create a Strap is a revolutionary fusible that makes strap creation simple. After making your first strap with the Create a Strap, you will be hooked. You’ll be on the look out for anything that needs a strap or fabric trim.

To give you an idea of how this works, here is how I used to make straps (and probably how you make them now).

1. Cut fabric to desired width.
2. Fold fabric in half and press. Keep fingers out of the way, while trying to keep the fold accurately in the center.
3. Open up the folded fabric, fold each edge in to the fold line, and press down. Carefully adjust the folds as you iron, burning your fingers in the process.
4. Make sure the children are upstairs while you finish, swearing as hot steam sears your fingertips.
5. Finish ironing, then take your wonky, imperfect strap with you.

Be honest… that sounds pretty familiar, right? I’ve burned my fingers countless times trying to fold in the sides of fabric to make a strap.

Here is how the Create a Strap works:

1. Cut fabric to desired width.
2. Fuse to back of the Create a Strap.
3. Fold in the sides on the perforated line, easily pressing flat. The fabric folds perfectly, with nearly no effort.
4. Finish ironing, leaving you with a perfect strap! Stitch two together with their backs facing to create a strap handle, or use the strap as trim on a purse, bag, quilt, or other sewing project.

At the Clover booth, they had some great examples using the Create a Strap.

This bag shows how addictive the Create a Strap is. This was hanging at the Clover booth, and I just love how all of these fun straps are lined up. The designer here used all the same fabric, but this would be so much fun with different colored straps on a neutral colored bag, like black or grey.

… and another photo showing the straps used as a divider between fabrics. Here you can see how the Create a Strap works as trim as well.

Once you start playing with the Clover Create a Strap, you’ll find so many uses. If you’re a Machine Embroidery enthusiast, and you make the heavily-embroidered quilt-as-you-go quilt blocks, you can use this product to create trim for hiding the seams when putting together your blocks. You can use it to create trim on all kinds of projects. And of course, you can use it to create straps or handles for bags, purses, wallets, and more.

The Clover Create a Strap is sold in 1 1/4″ and 5/8″ sizes, and retail for $6.95. You can purchase the Create a Strap at your local fabric store, or online.

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About Carolina Moore

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