Closures

Closures keep your bag closed and its contents safely inside. They are integral parts of each bags and heavily influence their appearance and application.

For pictures see below, the bag gallery and the material gallery.

Here, I offer four basic types of closures and some sub-types, so have a look at with one you fancy. As always, if you want something else, just let me know.

Pouch with zipper closure — Zipper closure (straight)

Handbag with zipper closure — Zipper closure (curved)

Pouch with flap + plastic snap — Flap + plastic snap

Handbag with flap + metal snap — Flap + metal snap

Handbag with flap + magnetic closure — Flap + magnetic closure

Handbag with flap + push lock — Flap + push lock

Pouch with flap + twist lock — Flap + twist lock

Pouch with flap + button + elastic — Flap + button + elastic

Shopper without closure (open), outside — Open (no closure)

Shopper, open with magnetic closure, inside — Open + magnetic closure

How to close?

Choose it!

There are a few ways to deal with the main opening of a bag. In general, you can either leave it open, pull it closed somehow or drape something over it. What is most suitable for your bag depends on your preference and its application.

Zipper: (secure) closes the bag entirely and thus nothing can fall out
Drawstring: (reshapes bag) closes quite well by altering the shape of the top half of the bag
Flap: (semi-secure) the flap curves over the opening but does not close it entirely
Open: (no closure) leave the opening as is, very convenient for quick use

Modify it!

As with everything else about bags, you can modify the closure as well. However, to keep things simple, I only offer variants for the flap closure and quickly mention the choice of color

Flap closure: To keep the flap closed, something needs to be added to its lower edge, which can be a snap button, magnetic snap or a type of lock, see below for variants
Color: Usually I try to make the zipper and drawstring blend in with the surrounding fabric, but if you want, I can use another color to accentuate it

My recommendation

For each bag, I have already made a preselection of closure types for you. Therefore, you can simply choose whichever type you fancy. In terms of practicality, here is a quick advice:

Pouch for small items: Zipper closure; to always keep everything safely inside
Pouch for bulky items: Flap closure; no need for a zipper and a flap looks pretty
Small handbag: Flap closure; the flap still closes quite tightly on small handbags and leave a larger opening than zippers
Larger handbag: Zipper closure; for security and convenience as larger flaps tend to shift and not close as tightly anymore
Shopper: No closure; they are very deep bags and thus a closure tends to look quite odd on them and also be unnecessary

Zipper

I love zipper closures and it’s my go-to type for almost any bag. They are very easy to open and close, never let anything fall out and adapt to the shape of the bag. Their main drawback is that they make the opening smaller, especially compared to flap closures. For pouches it’s usually not an issue and for handbags I compensate for it by extending the zipper over the top into the side panels.

Zipper (straight)

Choose a bag width that is at least 2 cm wider than your target item as the straight opening is slightly narrower.

Zipper (curved)

This zipper closure runs along the top of the bag over rounded corners into each side to give a wider opening.

Drawstring

Drawstrings are quite a neat type of closure. When fully open the bag can be easily mistaken for not having any closure. Pulling on the cords at the top, however, gathers the fabric at the opening into a tight bundle and pulls it shut. It is not as secure as a zipper but it will stay closed on its own.
Their light weight and easy use makes them great travel companions, allowing you to keep everything organized.

Dual drawstring

Pouch with drawstring closure, closed, top view

Adding a drawstring to each side makes closing the bag very easy and it will stay shut on its own.

Flap

Flaps are beautiful pieces of fabric that are pulled over the opening and held in place with e.g. a button. They provide very large opening, great for bulky items but don’t close tightly and leave small gaps at the sides.
Flaps are a very versatile but for simplicity, I only offer one shape of flap and a handful of mechanisms to keep the flap closed.

Plastic Snap

Plastic snaps are the simplest type flap closure. They are cheap, colorful and very tightly, requiring some force.

Metal snap

Metal snaps are slightly larger than plastic snaps and have a nicer grip and shine. They close tightly and require slight force.

Magnetic closure

Handbag with flap + magnetic closure, open

Handbag with flap + magnetic closure, detail

Bottom view of a flap with a magnetic closure

Magnetic closures are the only type that is not visible on the front of the flap. They are very easy to open and close.

Button & elastic

A nice feature button is sewn onto the bag body and an elastic loop from the flap is hooked around it.

Push lock

Handbag with flap + push lock, detail, closed

Handbag with flap + push lock, detail, open

Handbag with flap + push lock, flap, underside

Push locks consist of two metal parts. The flap ends in a button that is pushed through a ring on the bag body.

Twist lock

Twist locks create a hole in the flap that has to be pulled over a metal cylinder on the bag body which is then twisted.

Open

Open means that nothing is added to form a ‘roof’ over your bag, no flap or zipper. There are many cases, especially for larger bag, where a closure is not only unnecessary but also a hassle since it adds an extra step and prevents you from overfilling the bag.
However, for a bit more security, a magnetic closure can be added to keep the front and bag together.

No closure

This bag has no closure and gapes open freely and thus provides quick access. Great for shopping bags.

Open with magnet

A magnetic closure can be added to the main bag body to keep the bag a bit more closed.

Open with snap

A snap button can be added to the main bag body to keep the bag a bit more closed.