Triglides and Slider Buckles

Triglide & Slider Buckle
Triglide & Slider Buckle

Shockingly, I had no idea what these were when the Scrap Lab Backpack pattern called for them. I sort of knew what they were because every purse I own has them, but I didn’t know what they were called.

I wish the kit I bought had included them, because, as I mentioned, I had a devil of a time finding them despite the fact that they are quite common. My work bag has them, my handbag has them, the purse of the woman at Britex who helped me had them. Still, I couldn’t find anywhere to buy them (in the US) until I ended up a Britex.

Triglides and slider buckles work together to allow straps to be adjusted, which is why so many commercially made bags have them.

Sew Triglides to Straps
Sew Triglides to Straps

First, you sew the triglides on to the straps.

As an aside, I am pretty proud of the straps I made. they really look professional – or as professional as I can get with a home machine. they are smooth, stiff and lay nicely. Of course, we will see what wear does to them, but for now, I feel proud and will enjoy that feeling.

Loop the straps through the D Rings
Loop the straps through the D Rings

Next, loop the straps through the D Rings (or other type of ring), which have already been sewn to the bottom of the bag. This will start the process of attaching the straps to the bag. You have not done any sewing yet. The straps are not yet really attached to the bag, except very loosely because part of the strap went through a D Ring.

I have to say that this part of the process is kind of cool and I did learn about using triglides and slider buckles.

Bring the straps back over the D Rings (so the D Ring metal is in between two layers of the sewn straps) and head towards the triglides.. The D Ring will be like the peanut butter and jelly of a sandwich where the straps are the bread.

Thread Strap through Triglide
Thread Strap through Triglide

Thread the strap through the first part of the triglide.

There are now a number of layers of the strap fighting for space in the triglide. This means that you have make sure you have the correct size of triglide.

At this point adjustments for comfort on your back don’t really matter. I kept the triglides around the middle of the outer bag, then adjusted them later to wear.

 

Straps looped & ready to be sewn
Straps looped & ready to be sewn

Thread the strap over the middle of the triglide and under the other [stationery] side of the triglide. You are now ready to sew the inner and outer bag together. Once sewn, the straps will be fully adjustable.

Resources for Triglides and Slide Buckles

This is not a complete list. This is a list of available triglides and slider buckles that were recommended to me or that I could find on the web. As I said, Beverly’s and Joann didn’t have the size, or color, I needed. If you make this backpack, plan ahead.

Finished: Scrap Lab Backpack
Finished: Scrap Lab Backpack

Other Helpful Bag Tips: