Where to buy purse frames for the Lyla May Handbag
I’ve got a new pattern coming out later in June and it uses a purse frame. One of the common questions I always get is, “where do I buy a purse frame?” I have a similar post for my Flourish and Curvaceous patterns. However that post is five years old now, and while I do try to glance at the links periodically to see if they still work, it may not be completely up to date. I wanted to make a new post for this pattern.
The Lyla May Handbag will be available in four sizes of frames.
Small: 4.5” x 3” (11.4 x 7.6 cm)
Medium: 6” x 3” (15.2 x 7.6 cm)
Large: 8” x 3” (20.3 x 7.6 cm)
X-Large: 10 x 3” (25.4 x 7.6 cm).
The height is measured from the top of the frame to the bottom of the hinge.
These are the recommended sizes, but I also include instructions on adjusting the pattern for slightly different heights and widths. For the very smallest size, I wouldn’t recommend buying a frame shorter than 3”, because then your hand may not be able to fit inside.
You can use this pattern with a glue-in or sew-in style of frame. You can buy purse frames with chain loops attached or use D-rings on the purse to attach a strap. The small hinge style chain loops are too small for swivel hooks, so I do not recommend that style unless you plan on doing a simple chain. Or, I made mine work by attaching larger split o-rings between the chain loops and swivel hook, as pictured below
Let’s quickly make sure you are looking for the correct style of frame. You want a rectangle frame. These are sometimes called ball clasp frames or kiss clasp frames, and probably a few other terms as well. The purse channel is three sided. Here are some examples. (Some of these have the hinge style chain loops that are too small to fit a swivel hook but can be used with a chain.)
You do not want a half circle frame, an open channel frame (those only have a channel at the top edge), or a straight frame. (I did have one person successfully use an open channel frame, such as pictured below on the top right, so it is possible, but the pattern instructions are for a rectangular frame). For tester photos, see this post. You can also see a couple of unique frames that testers used with small pattern modifications.
Here are some sources I have found. Not all of these shops will sell all the sizes of frames. I will bold the sources that I have bought from personally.
United States
WhileBabyNaps , PurseSuppliesRUs , Upstyle, BitsandPurses, ZakkaWorkshopStore
Canada
Asia
DANSupplies, yeahshop, CraftSupprise, Factory Guy, Ahwok Buckles, CraftHardwareFinding, Supply4Bag
European shops:
frameyourbag, Stoklasa, U-handbag, BagClasps, ROYALCraftPT, RedRubySupplies,
India:
This woman has been recommended for frames and interfacing: Riddhi Kapoor