Working with cotton webbing (for tote bag straps) questions?

Question

I am shopping online for cotton webbing to make straps for a tote bag. I am having a terrible time finding any online in a 1 1/2" length in colors (I'm looking for royal blue, but would settle for navy at this point!) Is cotton webbing something sewing stores like JoAnn Fabrics would carry and cut to length? (Their website doesn't say.) Any other store suggestions to find this item at?

Also, like I said, I'd really like to get a 1 1/2" length of webbing because 1" wide straps on a tote bag sounds like it would dig into my shoulder big time. But - how much does cotton webbing shink? Perhaps if I want to end up with a 1 1/2" wide strap, I ought to buy webbing in a 2" width?

Thanks to any who can help!

Answer 1

In my experience, cotton webbing is available in limited colors.  I buy my 1" nylon webbing at Joann's and at a hardware store that only carries black in a lot of widths.   I have only seen 1" and 1/2" at Joann's.  

For years I have put 1" nylon carry straps on travel boxes I have made with a buckle so they could be like a long suitcase handle or a shoulder strap or a pull strap with wheels and my experience is that 1" is very comfortable unless extremely loaded.  I would expect 1-1/2" or 2" to really get awkward and not gain much over placing the 1" in various spots on the shoulder.  If you do want more padding, one of the more rigid sliding pads might be a better choice.

Answer 2

I buy my webbing at a store that sells mill-ends and upholstery supplies. They have a wide variety of colors and widths. So maybe you could find an upholstery supply store or a mill-end shop in your local Yellow Pages.

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Answer 3

Good for you that you considered shrinkage.  

As for sourcing, you could search google for:

trims +sewing +"cotton webbing".  Put it in that way, with the plus sign & quotation marks.

Probably 2" is best & most available.