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How to Use a Sewing Machine to Sew Nylon Webbing

Nylon webbing is one of the most convenient sewing options at the fabric store. This sturdy material can be purchased in strips of varying widths, and is available, in larger stores, in a number of colors. As the ideal fabric for a handle on a tote, a handbag, or a backpack, it simply has no peer; it is also easy to use as a belt, a decorative trim, a matching dog collar and leash and more, but sewing through it with a sewing machine can be challenging.

Things You'll Need

Nylon webbing
Scissors
Butane lighter or anti-fray glue
Tote bag made of heavy material
Sewing machine
Heavy machine needle, size 16 or 18
Carpet or button thread
Standard sewing thread
Hand sewing needle with a large eye
Straight pins
Scraps of webbing and tote fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the webbing to the desired length with sharp scissors. When it is cut, seal the raw edges by applying the flame of a butane lighter or apply a bead of anti-fray glue. Allow glue to dry.
- 2
  Prepare the sewing machine by inserting a heavy needle, threading the machine with button or carpet thread and setting the length of the stitch to about 3 or 4 stitches per inch. Insert the bobbin threaded with any regular strength thread.
- 3
  Place the webbing in the location desired and secure it with a sewing pin, if possible. If the webbing is too thick to pin, stitch it in place with a few long hand stitches using a heavy needle and the same thread as in the machine.
- 4
  Sew a few experimental stitches through scraps of webbing alone, sewing very slowly. Then sew a few more experimental stitches through the webbing and tote material. Do not force the machine or risk burning out the motor. Make adjustments to the machine before stitching on the bag.
- 5
  Sew the webbing to the bag, forming a rectangle with the stitching and finishing the attachment with a large X in the center of the rectangle. Repeat all the stitching for added strength.

Sewing