Hardware for the Mommy Poppins Bag

The time has finally come. Next Monday (barring any disaster), the Mommy Poppins Bag pattern will be release for sale.

Because this bag is hardware specific, I thought I would take the time to explain the different pieces that go into its fabulousness.

First off, you will need six high quality 1 1/4 inch d-rings and two 1 1/4 inch swivel snap hooks. Four of the d-rings are for making the handles. The two snap hooks and remaining d-rings are for the cross-body strap. (If you don’t want the cross-body strap, you will only need the four d-rings.) I like ordering mine online (I’ll talk about where later in this post.) because it is difficult to find the quality and variety in any of my local shops.  Or, you might have some luck harvesting the pieces off of old purses like I did for my first Mommy Poppins bag.

The pattern has an option for attaching the handle straps to the d-rings with metal rivets. If you are interested in trying that out in your bag, I would recommend reading my experiences buying rivets and how to install them.

The real star of the show is the internal tubular purse frame. Not only does the frame give the bag structure and shape, it holds the bag wide open while you are rummaging around and then snaps securely closed. The pattern is designed for a “14 inch frame”, meaning it is 14 inches across from hinge to hinge and about 3 inches from hinge to corner.

The ones I recommend have a really lovely “elbow” hinge, as opposed to the more commonly found “pin” hinge as seen on the right in the picture below.

The elbow-style hinges are a cinch to install. Just remove a couple of screws, pull apart the two halves, slip into the bag, and screw back together.

Where To Find Internal Purse Frames

I have been buying my bag hardware from a Hong Kong-based shop. I have been very happy with his selection and quality, but international shipping at its best can take a couple weeks and at its worse as much as a month. Luckily, I found very reliable shop owner here in the US willing to stock Mommy Poppins Bag kits. That’s right all six d-rings, 2 clasps, and the 14 inch frame bundled together and delivered quickly to your anxious fingers.

Karen, shop owner of The June Bride, has been selling online since 2008 and has received over 2600 positive feedbacks in her Etsy shop and you will receive the same excellent service when ordering a hardware kit from her IndieMade shop found at TheJuneBride.com.

If you have trouble finding the 14 inch frame, or you want to use another size bag frame, I have some great news for you…

The Mommy Poppins Bag Pattern Works With Any Size of Frame!

Included in the appendix of the pattern PDF are instructions and simple calculations for re-sizing the bag pattern for your particular purse frame. (Remember the Mini Poppins and the black floral Poppins?)

That’s it for today, folks!
On Friday, I will be back with the details of next week’s PATTERN RELEASE. (Hint: coupon codes, a giveaway, and pictures from my awesome testers!)