Invisible Magnetic Snaps

This type of magnetic snap is usually sewn into the bag. Sometimes one half of the pair of snaps may have a decorative button or design that is secured on the outside of your bag. Our team do not commonly use this type of snap, so unfortunately we have no examples to share with you.

Kam Snaps

KAM snaps are plastic popper snaps, often used to secure coin purses. These are usually fitted with a snap setter or using a rivet press with a setting tool.

Mrs H demonstrates how to fit a KAM snap to the Pickles Pouch, part of 'Bagmaking made simple' on Patreon.

Locks

You likely won't be surprised to learn that locks are another type of closure - used to secure the flap of a wallet, purse, or bag.

Many different types of locks are available, including:

• Turn locks
• Flip locks
• Press locks, such as tongue locks, and button locks
  

Nora Doctor Bag (made by Monica Ann Bernstine from Castine Handcrafted), showing an example of how you might use a turn lock

Harriet Expandable Tote Bag (made by Lynn Potts from She Wears Red Feathers), showing an example of how you might use a flip lock

Rings and Sliders

Sliders are used to make adjustable straps, and rings are typically used to attach straps or handles to bags and purses. Sometimes rings may be used for decorative purposes.

You'll generally use rings with purses, handbags, totes, and backpacks. Occasionally, you may use them with smaller clutch bags or wallets.

Among the different types of rings and sliders available, you'll find:

• D rings - these are shaped like a capital D
  
• O rings - circular rings forming an O shape
  
• Rectangle rings - also known as rectangular rings, these may have curved corners or 90-degree corners
  
• Triangle rings - triangular in shape with a slit along the longest side, and a circular hole at the point above the slit. Attach to your bag with a strap or strap tab through the long slit, then clip a swivel hook through the hole.
  
• Gate rings - usually (but not always!) o-shaped, gate rings can be opened up to fit through grommets or eyelets in your bag. We've seen clip versions, but prefer screw together gate rings for that extra bit of security
  
• Strap Sliders - rectangular rings with a fixed bar across the middle, available in different shapes and sizes - including wide-mouth sliders for when you have thicker straps
• Adjustable Strap Sliders - rectangular or square shaped rings with a movable bar across the middle

Bonnie Bucket Bag (made by Alicia Miller). The straps are attached to the bag using O-rings

Swivel Hooks and clips

Most often, you'll use swivel hooks or clips on the ends of a removable strap. This is particularly useful for some styles of convertible bag where the strap is clipped to rings at the top of the purse when worn as a crossbody bag or shoulder bag , and clipped to a different set of rings when in backpack or sling bag style.

Close-up of the Betty Bowler Bag (made by Monica Ann Bernstine from Castine Handcrafted), showing a rose gold swivel clip

You could add a swivel hook or clip (or a ring) on a ribbon or tab inside your purse as a way to keep your keys safe, or as a way to clip your wallet inside your bag for extra security.

Or, sew our Tonia Mini Moto bag pattern and clip your bag to your belt loops using Swivel Clips.

Tonia Mini Moto (made by Chanova Alcala Mabry from Nova's Knits), clipped to belt loops.

You can add a wristlet strap to a clutch purse, as we do with our purse patterns: the Coraline Clutch, the Heidi Foldover Clutch, the Pearl Wallet, and the Della Clutch Wallet.

Della Wallet Clutch (made by Chanova Alcala Mabry from Nova's Knits), with a wristlet strap clipped to the wallet.

Or you can add a swivel clip and ring inside your purse to cinch in the sides, as we do in our Frankie Handbag pattern, and in our Celine Zip Top Tote bag pattern.

And, swivel clips make for a rather fun decorative feature in our Brooklyn Handbag & Traveler Bag pattern, in our Levi Utility Bag, and in our Denver Backpack sewing pattern.

Brooklyn Handbag (made by Brandy Gilbert Jackson from Bean's Bags), showing the swivel clip feature.

Buckles

In the past, buckles have mostly been used as flap closures, such as with our Camille Camera Bag, however we're now seeing bagineers experimenting with buckles in other ways - including using them to attach straps to a purse.

They may be rectangular, circular, or another shape altogether.

Buckles with the push-in section at either side are typically known as side-release buckles.

Camille Camera Bag (made by Lynne Baldwin from Lynne's Selections), with side-release buckles securing the flap

Frame buckles have a moveable pin that slots into strap holes.

They may be single-sided (a square or rectangle with the pin attached to one side), or double-sided (a square or rectangle with the pin attached to a central bar).

Betty Bowler Bag (made by Chanova Alcala Mabry from Nova's Knits), with buckles added to the straps

Atlas Rucksack (made by Chanova Alcala Mabry from Nova's Knits), with buckle straps

• Diamond Strap Anchors
• 'Long John' Strap Anchors
  
• Bridge Connectors
  
• Strap Clips with D-Rings
  
• Bridge Anchors
  
• Chain Strap Connectors
  
• Decorative Strap Connectors
  

Nora Doctor Bag (made by Chanova Alcala Mabry from Nova's Knits). The bag features decorative strap anchors.

Bag Bases and Purse Feet

Adding a base inside the bottom of your bag can help not only with stability but also with keeping the bottom of your purse nice and firm over long-term use. Adding bag feet then helps protect the base of your bag when you set it down on the ground.

Although you can buy bases designed to be used in bags and purses, anything firm but thin may work as a base. We like to use the cheap plastic cutting boards you can find at dollar stores or pound stores. Some of our friends use foam core board, which is typically available from art stores.

Brooklyn Bag, (made by Kimberly Cummins from MyDani Bags, showing the purse feet at the base of the bag

Betty Bowler Bag (made by Monica Ann Bernstine from Castine Handcrafted), showing the purse feet at the base of the bag.

Grommets and Eyelets

These are the small circular ring-shaped hardware that is pressed into the material, and have many potential uses.

Some bags use eyelets to add a drawstring feature to a bag.

For some designs, the strap or handle clips to a gate ring threaded through a pair of grommets at each end of the bag.

You can use grommets as a decorative feature for your purse. Or you can add one as a functional feature for a knitting bag or crochet bag - thread the yarn through the grommet and you've got a portable yarn bowl, so that your yarn won't roll around while you work.

Grommets and eyelets come in different sizes and styles, so you may want to experiment with different types to see which best suit your style.

Drawstring Bonnie Bucket Bag (made by Monica Ann Bernstine from Castine Handcrafted), showing the eyelets used for the drawstring feature

Rivets

Rivets are one of our favourite types of bag hardware, and have many uses. Use rivets to reinforce straps, handles, or pockets. If your materials are a bit thick and you're struggling to stitch through them - for the end of an adjustable strap, say - then add a rivet. And you can also use rivets to decorate your purse or bag.

If you've never used rivets when sewing a purse, start with the video below from Mrs H. Mrs H gives a great overview of the types and sizes available, as well as demonstrating how to fit rivets using a hammer and anvil, and how to fit rivets using a rivet press.

Lola Domed Handbag (made by Lynne Baldwin from Lynne's Selections) in blue Harris tweed. Pre-made handles are riveted to the bag