Purse and Handbag Feet Tutorial!

People often ask me about handbag feet! There seems to be a false belief out there that they are complicated or difficult to install. This can't be further from the truth! They are EASY PEASY, functional and look GREAT too, making your bag look more professional!....so there is no excuse why you too can't add some feet to your bags!

All you need is some bag feet (Of course!)....these either come with washers or without. Plus a hole punch, an awl or knitting needle or even a stitch ripper to make holes for them.

Here is a selection of some typical purse feet:

A selection of Bag Feet!

As you can see, they come in different shapes, sizes and colours, so you are sure to find something that suits your bag!

Some come with washers and some without. Both versions work just fine however I personally prefer to use a washer because I find the feet stay firmly in place better when using them. If there aren't any washers included, I simply raid hubby's stash for an ordinary round washer that fits over the stem.....if he hasn't any, a visit to the local hardware shop will turn up one that fits!

Now.....lets install some feet into your bag! Typically the feet are installed during construction, prior to assembling and lining your bag. I like to use peltex, 7 mesh plastic or template plastic on the base to give it some support.

Once you have your support in place, the next step of course is to work out where to put them! Make sure you allow space for your seam allowance and some room to sew past them. Make tiny holes in the required positions using a small hole punch, an awl or a stitch ripper and then poke the prongs of the feet, from the right side, through the holes and top with a washer. Bend the prongs outwards firmly down against the peltex:

Closeup of Installed Foot!

Base with peltex support, feet and washers.

If you are using a fabric that frays a lot, you might also like to put a little fray stopper around the holes to prevent them from growing!

Personally I don't want to feel the bag feet prongs through the lining of my bag, so I like to add a small scrap of fusible fleece on top of the fitted feet:

Scrap of Fusible Fleece on top of my Bag Feet!


The fusible fleece not only feels better BUT also protects the lining from wear!

Oh and just in case you are wondering where to get them.....most bag hardware supply shops will carry them! I carry Hardware Kits for all my bag patterns in my Etsy Store PLUS I have extras available, such as purse feet, magnetic snaps, rivets etc so please just email me with what you need and I will see what I can do! :)

And there you have it...... that is all there is to it! That wasn't so hard now, was it? :)