How to Attach a Purse Frame to a Crochet Bag

A kiss lock purse frame is a great way to add structure and elegance to a crochet bag! In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to attach a purse frame to a crochet bag to finish the Snowflake Crochet Coin Purse. You can use the same technique with other sizes of bags and frames.

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Bag Along CAL

The Snowflake Crochet Coin Purse Pattern features the split single crochet stitch in rounds.

Snowflake crochet coin purse - free pattern on Stitches n Scraps

This is the last of 6 bag patterns in the 2022 Bag Along CAL. See the full schedule and all the other patterns in the main Bag Along CAL post.

Get the pattern here!

Match the Purse Frame Size

Before you can attach a purse frame to a bag, the opening needs to be roughly the same size as the frame. When you open up the purse frame so that it’s flat, it should fit neatly over the opening.

Ideally, the bag opening and frame will each have the same shape as well, matching in length and width. If it’s a little bit off it will still work fine, but if it’s very different it may look awkward.

In this case, my frame is square and so is the bag. Some frames are much longer than they are wide. If you’re using a different size or shape of frame, make sure the measurements of the bag opening match.

Mark the Corners

Line the purse frame up with your bag and find the corners. In this case, the corners are clearly marked with surface crochet already. Learn how in this Embroidered Snowflakes and Surface Crochet tutorial.

Surface crochet and embroidery for the snowflake coin purse

If yours are not already marked in some way, use a stitch marker to mark each corner at the top edge of the bag.

Choose your Thread

Use a strong sewing thread to attach the purse frame. Decide if you want to match the bag or the frame, or if you want to use a contrasting color. You can also choose a clear nylon thread or fishing line. I chose to match the color of the bag.

Sewing thread that matches the bag and a needle to attach the purse frame.

Your needle doesn’t have to be super small. It just needs to be able to fit through the holes on the purse frame. A yarn needle will likely be too big. I chose a fairly large embroidery needle with a big eye.

Attach the Purse Frame to the Bag

Slide the frame over the top of the bag so that the bag is inside, and line up the corners. Starting at a corner, sew the bag to the frame using a backstitch. I like to go over each stitch twice for added strength.

Attaching purse frame to bag with backstitch

On the side edges, you’ll need to skip a few stitches underneath the hinge. Find and mark the center stitch, and make sure it lines up under the hinge as you sew.

skip stitches under hinge - center stitch marked with a stitch marker.

When you’re finished, weave in and cut your sewing thread. Then go all around the inside edge of the frame, tucking any stray yarn under the lip so that it’s smooth.