How to Attach a Purse Frame With Screws

Revamp an old purse with a decorative purse frame and screws.

Choosing decorative fabric and trim for a hardware-inspired purse design usually requires a purse frame. Frames with ornate handles are often used to design specific era-inspired pieces. It is important to ensure the screws are included with the purse frame prior to purchase. This is especially important with vintage purse frames. Using sewing and pattern-making tools, such as awls and invisible pens, are incorporated to ensure precision prior to inserting fabric onto attached extended posts.

Things You'll Need

• Purse frame hardware
• Purse outer shell and lining fabric
• Invisible marking pen
• Awl
• Purse frame screws
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Position the purse frame hardware on your work surface, making sure the frame's mouth is open. This exposes the extended posts set into the frame for the screws.

2. Position the top edge of the purse's outer shell fabric carefully along the extended posts of the purse frame hardware. Position the purse lining as well. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the purse fabric.

3. Mark the outer shell and lining fabric at each post with an invisible marking pen. If you use a permanent fabric marker, make sure the marking is not wider than the screw's head to avoid a ring mark around the screw.

4. Remove the shell and lining fabric from the frame and place it on the work surface. Pierce a small hole through the fabric with an awl, which is a tool often used for pattern and fabric markings. Make sure the shell piercing aligns with the lining. It is also important to pierce a large enough hole to fit over the post.

5. Reposition the shell and lining fabric onto the posts. Gently push the post through the pierced fabric layers. If the frame has a top frame that hides the raw fabric edge and encases the fabric layers, position the top frame over the posts as well.

6. Position the purse frame screws onto the post. Use the appropriate screwdriver size to attach the frame. Repeat steps 3 through 6 on the opposite side of the purse fabric. Tighten the screws to secure the fabric in place.

References

• Madame's Mercantile: Creating a Victorian Purse
• "Chic Bags: 22 Handbags, Purses, Totes and Accessories To Make"; Marie Enderlen-Debuisson and Caroline Laisne; 2007