This is the last in the series on bag making hardware (part 1 on straps and handles is available here, part 2 on closure hardware is available here and part 3 on feet and frames is available here). In this final week we’re looking at ‘everything else’ or at least the decorative and practical elements that don’t quite fall into the other categories we’ve looked at previously.

In the photo above we have the following:

A. Mallet Set Round Grommets/Eyelets – the words grommet and eyelet seem to be used fairly interchangably for these round metal fixtures, however they are set in the same way regardless of what you call them! These often come in packs with their own setting tool, however these are often plastic and break easily. If you can, try and find a separate hole punch, setting anvil and setting tool for the appropriate size of grommet, as these are made of metal and have far more longevity. Grommets are useful for both decorative purposes and to thread a rope tied closure through, such as at the top of a drawstring duffle bag.
B. Metal Pronged Grommets – these grommets have the advantage of not needing a specific tool to hold them in place, although they do have the slight downside that the prongs are actually visible on the back of the fitting. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are used in the same way as the mallet set grommets.
C. Metal Screw In Grommets – these grommets tend to be the heaviest duty of the 3 options, and are attached by screwing them in place. They also come in a variety of shapes and are used in the same way as the mallet set grommets.
D. Plastic Grommets – these can be used on bags as well as on curtains as they were originally designed. They make a nice design feature because of their size, and you can make them into mini portholes by putting different fabrics behind them.
E. Rubber Grommets – these are actually used for headphone wires so you can access an electronic device inside your bag. They are sewn in before trimming away the area behind them to allow the wires to be threaded through.
F. Eyelets – these small eyelets are hammer/tool or specialty plier set and are useful for adjustable straps being used with buckles.

In the photo above we have the following:

G. Single Cap Rivets – these are used to hold things such as strap ends in place as an alternative to sewing. They are set using a setting tool, anvil and hammer, and require a small hole punch to punch through the bag pieces being riveted. The single cap version only has one decorative side, so ensure that the other side is hiden in a lining or otherwise out of sight.
H. Double Cap Rivets – these are used in exactly the same way as single cap rivets, except that both ends are decorative, so it doesn’t matter if both sides are visible or not.
I. Screw In Rivets – if hammer setting things scares the bejesus out of you, then these rivets will work for you. As the name suggests, instead of hammer setting these rivets you just need to screw them in place after you’ve punched a hole for them. They can be used in the same way as the hammer set rivets.
J. Screw Studs – similar to screw in rivets, these make good catches on tabs to close pockets, good adjusters on tabs controlling width on a bag and good adjusters on straps. They will need a hole punch to create the hole to be screwed into, and also on the thing they are to be inerted into. They work best with a keyhole type cut on the receiving end, with a hole slightly smaller than the stud, and the cut below it to create the keyhole allowing the opening to slip over the stud.
K. Purse Corners – these metal corners can be clamped in place on the corner of square/rectangular flaps to add a bit of reinforcement and decoration. They come in both plain and decorative versions.
L. Flap Edging – like a giant version of the purse corners, these trims are used to add protection and decoration to the edges of flaps.
M. Key Fob Hardware – the metal rectangular part of these are used in combination with webbing (usually decorated cotton) to create a key fob, which is then attached to keys using the ring that is also threaded through the bar on the rectangle.
N. Hemming Tape – this can be used with piping cord to make easy piping by layering up your fabric, hemming tape and cord and pressing in place. You can then sew into your seam without worrying about anything moving around.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour through the hardware maze, but if you have any questions, please let me know!