The Handmade Biz: purses

Friday, April 26, 2013

Must Have Tools and Supplies for Making Purses

It depends on the type of purse you're going to make.

wooden purses:
unfinished wooden purses
woodburner (if you're doing woodburned designs)
paint, glitter, rhinestones, whatever you'd like
or you 'modpodge' images to the wooden purses

Sewn purses (which is the norm)
sewing machine
SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist 600-Stitch Computerized Sewing Machine

serger (I have this serger it works great!)
Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger with Easy Lay In Threading with Differential Feed

grommet pliers
Dritz Heavy Duty Snap Fastener Plier Kit

grommet machine (even better than the pliers, because it'll be easier on your hands)
900 Grommets Tool Machine with #0 #2 #4 Dies

fabric, thread, cord for drawstring

Upcycled sewn purses
jeans, tshirts, sweaters or other clothes
even rugs 'ie carpet' has been used
candy wrappers, and other packaging is also an option
I'm sure some of you remember the 'Capri Sun purse' craze.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/87732126/the-double-wide-upcycled-capri-sun-large

Other decorating options:
rhinestones
Darice 2704-01 Rhinestone Setter Hot-Fix Applicator Wand
rivets
screw on spikes
SZD 100pcs/set 9.5mm Silver Cone Spikes Screwback Studs DIY Craft Cool Rivets Punk
patches
Pink Butterfly Embroidered Iron On Patch
tassels

Mainly you need materials, tools, hardware, decorations:

Materials
Almost any type of material can be used to create a handbag. For some canvas, straw, hemp or other natural materials make a beautiful bag. Others prefer a classic leather look made from calfskin, goatskin, lamb, snake skin, sheepskin or cowhide. Bags can be made out of faux leather which is a combination of plastics prepared to look like a certain type of leather. Even recycled items like candy wrappers, old juices boxes and aluminum cans get a new life as the surface of a handbag. Thinking outside of the box helps manufacturers come up with trendy looks for every fashion season.
The main component of any purse is the fabric from which it is made. The exterior of a purse needs to be durable, whereas the interior can be a thinner fabric lining. Some purses are knitted or crocheted from yarn or tied in a macrame style from cord. In those cases, purse making supplies include the knitting needles, crocheting hook or macrame board.

Tools
Tools to create handbags run the gamut depending on the type of material or fabric the manufacturer is working with and the type of hardware he plans to include in the design. To produce leather handbags, a full set of leather working tools come in handy to prepare the leather and manipulate it into the desired shape. A mallet, hole punch, several different sized awls, chisel and utility knives assist leather workers into converting leather material into a useful handbag. Other tools like a sewing machine, heavy leather or darning needles, rulers, cutting mats and fabric glue lets creators make bags of all types in the right proportions.

Hardware
To keep a bag open or closed, add a handle, seal with grommets all make up types of hardware used to make a handbag. Zippers, snap clasps, buckles, O-rings, D-rings, chains and swivel snaps are few of the many types of hardware supplies manufacturers employ in creating a functional and decorative handbag. For structured bags, some designers use a metal frame work to keep the bag standing upright. Others use hardware both inside and outside of the bag to create compartments to make organization easy for the user.
Handles- Although fabric handles work for some purses, larger purses may require a more durable handle that holds up under the wear of daily use and provides something more substantial to hold onto. Purse handles are available in materials such as bamboo, plastic, leather, wood and rattan. The handle material should match the overall look of the purse, with bamboo working well on casual bags and leather as a good choice for a more formal purse.
Rings- Purse makers who create their own handles or purchase handles that do not include rings need rings for attaching handles to purses. A metal ring is the joint between the handle and the bag and allows the handle the flexibility to stand up above the bag when being carried or lie flat against the bag when it is on the floor. The ring is typically attached to the purse and the handle by strips of fabric looped around the ring and sewn back onto themselves.
Closures- Supplies for purse closures include zippers, magnetic clasps, buckles, buttons and velcro. The closure used should fit with the overall look of the purse. A leather purse may look awkward with velcro but could use a subtle magnetic clasp or buckle. Knit purses work well with zipper closures or simple buttons, which are very inexpensive. Keep in mind that buckles and buttons take much longer to open and close than zippers or magnetic clasps.
Purse Frames- Elegant clutch handbags often employ a purse frame as their base. The purse frame typically consists of two matching bent metal strips with a hinge between them and a clasp to hold them closed. The fabric for the purse is sewed onto the frame to create the bag beneath it.

Decorations
A combination of tool supplies, hardware supplies and some creativity can embellish a handbag and turn it into a "must-have" accessory. Tooling implements lets manufacturers carve designs into the surface of the leather. An embroidery sewing machine can add decorative swirls, flowers or geometric designs onto fabric or thin leather. Custom hardware produced to display a logo or brand name helps buyers identify the types of bags and signature looks. Some designers add beads or sequins to dress up a plain looking handbag. The options and looks are limitless when it comes to decorating a handbag.

Tutorials Found- Moda Bake Shop The Backpack

via Moda Bake Shop: The Backpack.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Suppliers- Purse Making

Buckle Guy has various buckles, chains, feet, studs, locks, frames, grommets, zippers.

Purse Supply Depot has everything you'd need to make a purse except fabric.

Specializes in purse supplies, great website layout.

http://www.tallpoppycraft.com/

http://www.ahkwokbuckles.com/index.html
This site has an incredible array of handbag supplies. Everything you could need, including snaps, buckles, purse frames, feet, and other hardware. You must buy in lots, but the lot sizes are small and the prices are quite reasonable. They also have an eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Ah-Kwok-Supplies where you can score some real bargains.

Has tons on trimmings to decorate your purses with.

http://www.strapworks.com/default.asp
Strapworks is a great source for all kinds of webbing and hardware for bags. They carry a large variety of rings, swivel hooks (which they call snaps), and sliders, all in both metal and plastic. The site is geared to small (and larger) businesses, but they also sell to individuals.

http://www.bagfittings.hk/shop/
This site isn’t for everyone, but if you are a small manufacturer or can buy in bulk, it’s one of the best resources for all manner of handbag hardware. There are minimum orders, but shipping is very fast, service is very good, and the products are used by designers and manufacturers of all sizes.

http://www.ohiotravelbag.com/Products.html
Selection looks amazing. But it looks like you have to order by catalog {which is available online or request a printed version} or over the phone.

http://www.tantalizingstitches.com/

http://www.ghees.com/