Errrrmmmm Lil Help?

[Iminei]

When I travelled to Austria last year I found some fab stretchy webbing that I thought would make a great luggage strap! I had seen one in the airport shop but had almost fainted when I saw the price so thought, I could make this!

Just to be clear about what I'm talking about .... It's the thing that enterprising folks wrap around their luggage to identify their dark blue suitcase from the dozens of other dark blue suitcases on the carousel

Unfortunately whilst  in Austria I couldnt find the clippy thing needed to secure the two ends of the strap around the case so on my return to Gatwick had to play Guess the Suitcase once again.

A trip to my habby shop a couple of weeks later resulted in me finding the necessary clips (I think) which I purchased.

I've now come to a point where I've thought about actually implementing the creation of said item and have taken the clip out of its plastic packaging to try and work out how I would go about this .... Problem!

I can't, in any way, release the clippy thing into its two interlocking parts!
I have tried and tried to depress the sides and apart from catching the skin of my hand in the pushy in bits (Ouch!!)  I have had absolutely no success  ... This has been going on for so long Im beginning to wonder  whether ...

I have actually bought the right clippy thing?
That it actually comes apart ?
Or if  is there another part to buy (Swizz)?
Or maybe there is some secret catch or method of doing this ???

Any help on this would be most gratefully received ...

and also does anyone have a 'pattern' 'design' for the making of this most simple thing?



linky

[Sewingsue]

Not sure why it isn't working. AFAIK pushing in the pushy in bits should release the other bit.

[Lachica]

My fingers are no longer strong enough to work these things, but you need to pinch those tabs very hard to enable the outer bit to pull off. It will be easier once the webbing is attached as you'll have something to get hold of. I tied a selection of coloured ribbons to the handle of my black case but have just got a new fuchsia pink one.

[Lowena]

Should work, but sometimes the pushy bit can be very stiff..... let the man of the house have a go 

[toileandtrouble]

I've seen a similar buckle where the info. says you need both hands to unlock it. They called it a safety buckle. Is there anything you can depress on the other side while you pinch in the prongs?

[Iminei]

Thanks Girls, so the consensus seems to be that Ive bought the correct part but am a total Wimp!   

The second part of my appeal is, as I've not got one of these thingmys and never used one before, does anyone have a pattern/design/method for making this whatchamacallit????? Should I be able to open it !!!

(could be a good opening for meeting beefy young hunks at the airport ...'Oh please could you help me with my ....'    )

I do have a thingy the strap goes through, @Sakar can explain what it is.

[Sewbusy]

@Iminei Tip from another wimp. Tie a brightly coloured piece of fabric or you can be posh and use a scarf! to the handle of your case, mine has a top handle and a side one, go wild and have two!

[Ploshkin]

Usually with those types of clips you should see a 'bar' going across the pieces once you get it apart.  You thread the webbing up and over the bar and back down again so that the end of it is doubled inside the half of the clip.  I don't think I've described that very well but it should be apparent when you manage to get it open.
Failing that there's bound to be someone on you tube showing you how to make dog collars or harnesses with those clippy things.

[Greybird]

I always have a ribbon tied to the handle of my suitcase too. Whilst on the subject of luggage, OH (who worked for BA for 30 years) says always have a sticker or something attached to the inside of your suitcase with your name and address on it. He says that large numbers of cases get their luggage tags ripped off in the conveyor belt machinery and the airline can't then identify who it belongs to.

[Iminei]

I presented the offending clip to Imself when he came home yesterday evening with the suggestion that it might be broken or welded together or faulty in some way ...

He depressed the side thingymies and the clip exploded apart, spanging into the glass in dining room door which thankfully  only cracked rather than shattered ... and then expressed his admiration for the quality of the clip.

Well that wont help me if I'm away on my own and unable to access a clean pair of pants, will it?

[maliw]

I just use flourescent shoe laces tied to the handles but I do like your webbing.

[wrenkins]

You should read @Catllar 's packing thread and then you could pack everything you need inside that clip and do away with the suitcase! 
I think she's down to 50g now. 

[Catllar]

Now now Wrenkins! 50g ? I wish!  I'm at 5kgs but I might have overpacked a bit - still have time to curate further before we leave!

[Catllar]

I think I found the bits of which you speak on Bobbin Girl's site - they seem to be called delrin buckles - and she has them in all colours - so if you need more perhaps have look there.

[Iminei]

Imself has just explained to me, with a lil diagram, (he does love his lil diagrams) that pulling on the end of the bit that comes unclipped actually makes it harder (read impossible) to come apart!

He then showed me how the clip comes undone just by squeezing the lil side thingymies  ... going onto further express his admiration at the quality of said item.

I would like to confirm that no Dorset windows were harmed during the demonstration.

UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE

I have just tried to open the clip, following Imselfs detail instructions (and diagram) but cannot for the life of me express the amount of force needed through my fingertips ... So THAT was a good buy!