Monday, June 1, 2009

how to make a luggage handle cover

My husband just left on another business trip. He seems to go on them quite a bit. Even though the kids are sad he is gone, he always brings back tons of goodies for them. It’s like Christmas all over again when he opens up his bags and doles out the pens, notepads, highlighters or whatever they were giving away at the conference. This past year he brought home something for himself. Quite a clever thing too. It's a suitcase handle cover. This little cover is so handy and helps him recognize his suitcase on the carrier. You see, like most people we know, we own black luggage. Have you seen the airport carousel lately? I am beginning to believe they only make black suitcases these days.

Even though I think this is a very useful item, I think it'is lacking in the style department, so I decided to make him a new one using his conference freebie as a template. This is such a simple and quick project. Picking out the fabric was the hardest part. I know I would like a beautiful floral cover, but since I am not using it I tried to go with a more gender neutral fabric. This would make a great Father's Day gift for the dad who travels a lot!

Luggage Handle Cover Tutorial

What you'll need:
*2 pieces of 6" x 6 ½" fabric
*1 piece thin batting 6" x 6 ½"
*5 " of sew-on Velcro
*Iron
*Sewing machine and thread

1. Lay one piece of fabric right side up and the second piece of fabric on top of it right side down.


2. Layer the piece of batting on top.


3. Using a ¼ inch seam, sew all around the three pieces. Leave a 2 inch opening for turning.


4. Trim your corners.




5. Pull the fabric through the 2 inch opening. You may need to use a dowel or dull pencil to push out your corners. Tuck your 2 inch opening in and press with an iron.


6. Sew your opening shut. You can just sew the two inches or you can sew down that whole side. Whatever suits your fancy.


7. On one of the sides that is now 5 ½ inches long, sew down one piece of the Velcro. Once this is done, turn your square over and sew the other piece of Velcro down on the opposite side.







8. Attach it to the handle of your suitcase. Now you're ready to travel in style.

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47 Comments

47 Responses to “how to make a luggage handle cover”

Pink Princess said...

SO easy but SO clever!! BTW I don't own ANY black luggage, lol. Mine are bright P I N K , and I also have a Orange suitcase. SO easy to pick out on the belt, lol

Amanda said...

Genius!

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea, both for comfort and for preventing mix-ups with the similiar-looking luggage of other owners.

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org said...

What a neat idea! I had no idea how many large, black, rollaboard suitcases (even if mine is too large to even consider rolling aboard!) there were out there :)

:::b r a n d i::: said...

This is a super cute idea! I always tye a bandana around my handle but this is too cute not to try.

{amy k.} said...

Thanks for sharing! I love this idea- and maybe I can figure out how to do it before my upcoming trips! :)

Cin said...

Thanks for posting this. We were getting tired of wrapping bandanas around the handle. This is quick, easy and stylish!

Atticelf said...

Great idea!

The Nedrys said...

What a great idea! I will be making some for our luggage as we seem to travel quite a bit!

Cindi said...

What a fantastic idea! Thanks for the tutorial!

homemade by jill said...

what a smart idea! I am totally going to make some of these.

Michelle Bebe said...

Wow! Great! I am going to LA in July, guess I will be making some of these! THANKS!!!

The Goads. said...

Very clever! Never would have thought to do that...I've made car seat strap covers for my kids and many others. It's essentially the same pattern. Just one more thing to add to my list of things to sew!

MaryLee said...

My Grandmother always made a pom-pom out of brightly colored yarn and tied it to the handle of her luggage, that way she could recognize it on the carousel quickly, same idea, just another way of going about it.

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Cute and useful, I love it! I'll be linking.

Unknown said...

So cute!! What a great idea.

Anne said...

Brilliant!! Such a simple project, but oh so useful!

I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-luggage-handle-cover/2009/06/01/
--Anne

Suzy D. said...

great Idea! thanks for the tutorial
very easy to follow.
this will also provide a bit more comfort while carring the bag.

Kathleen W. said...

Such a great idea! And so simple too.

Where did you get that great fabric?

Little Birdie Secrets said...

It was a fat quarter from the local Ben Franklin. It is Woven in Time 2004 Quilting Heirloom by RJR Fabrics

Jeanette said...

Fun blog! Thanks for sharing.

Deb (Two Cheeky Monkeys) said...

Thanks for the great idea! Think I'll have to give it a try for my upcoming holiday.

Unknown said...

Such a good idea! You made it look so esay!

Molly Anne said...

I think even I could handle that sewing project. :)

Yara said...

I am making a few of these for gifts for my missionary cousins. Thanks so much!

Oh, and if I ever get a suitcase or decide to really go somewhere, I will make some for myself too
(right now all my trips are in the car & I use- tote bags)

Catherine Peart said...

I love this. Another to add to my list of homemade Christmas presents. I was having a hard time thinking of something appropriate for my mother-in-law (and many others)!

Jus Shar Designs said...

That is super clever.
My mom travels a lot, and I think I need to make her some of these.

Thanks for the tute.

sallgood said...

I may have to make one of these for my seat belt! I'm short, and the seat belt is always hitting me in the neck in the most uncomfortable way!!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Kalli Bailey Photography said...

Great tutorial! I am going to have to try this. I just wanted to say I love your blog! I left you something on my blog.

http://mycreativebits.blogspot.com/2009/06/c-rystal-from-kizz-designs-passed-on.html

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

It would be cute for the car seat belt strap too.

Stephanie said...

I love this! I made several up a couple of days ago.

http://www.eyeballgirl.com/2009/07/i_have_a_medium_length.html

Caroline said...

Just found your tutorial by googling- I have been wanting to make something like this! Thanks for the great instructions.

One question- I saw the name of the fabric you used. Is that just a standard quilting cotton, or is it a heavier weight fabric? Not sure if I need to use a home decorating fabric or if cotton will be durable enough.

Thanks!!

Little Birdie Secrets said...

We used quilting cotton, but it may not be as durable as a home decor weight fabric.

simonepatch said...

Muito boa ideia.De uma utilidade enorme.Confortavel tambem.Beijos


simone/poa


meu blog é www. simonert.blogspot.com

Ocean Peg said...

Love it...Looks better than tieing a piece of fabric on the handle.

The Apple Crate said...

Brilliant! I may need to try making this. Thanks for such a great tutorial!

Sarah said...

Thanks for sharing! I'm going to use this for a handle cover for the wagon!! My hand is really sore by the end of a long day at the zoo!

Amanda Corbet said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful instructions. We have black luggage too! I am definitely going to make some of these for our luggage before we go on our next vacation. Thank you so much!!!!!!

Gigi said...

Just saw this and pinned it on Pinterest. Made 2 this evening for a friend who LOVES Mickey Mouse. Made mine from a Mickey valance I got at a garage sale...interlined it with a piece of car header foam (also garage sale). Had the velrco already, so it was a free gift. Now I need to make some for myself, and a luggage ID card to match her handle covers. Thanks

Julie said...

Great idea! So much nicer than the big floppy bows I use!

Kate said...

I have just made 2 sets for an upcoming overseas trip. I adjusted mine a little by sewing one of the velcro strips a little further from the edge. This way, it's customised to my handle perfectly. Thanks so much for your pattern and the photos - made it so easy! Here is my blog post - http://kateoz.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/luggage-handles.html

Monica Grondin said...

This is a great idea, thanks for sharing! Also I painted my black suitcase with silver polka-dots and my name. Not manly at all, but nobody tries to take my luggage.

Th'ink said...

These can also be used to wrap up cords. I was looking for cheap versions on ebay for this purpose but I can make these cheaper than I can buy.

Unknown said...

I love your tutorial! So easy. I made my own, not as good as yours of course, but it was my first sewing project. I posted it on my blog http://mama2themax.blogspot.com/ and referenced your site. Hope that is ok! Thanks!! Angela

Unknown said...

Super idea..Genius!!! thanks for sharing :)

WiLdThInG :-) said...

THANX for your help!! Not many tutorials out there for the covers...... yours is very detailed with great pictures. Thanks for sharing!!

Canthespam said...

Great idea, thanks.

Since they have batting, can they be washed and dried or hung up to dry?

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