Purse Frame vs Rectangle Rings vs Zipper Pulls: Hardware Guide
By Sallie Tomato | Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Koopgidsen
Compare a 6" purse frame, 3/4" rectangle rings, and pumpkin skeleton zipper pulls on real bag-making trade-offs so you can pick the right hardware for your next project.
Quick answer
Choose a 6" purse frame when you want a clasp closure and strap loops in one piece, 3/4" rectangle rings when you need movable strap attachment points, and zipper pulls when you are building or refreshing a #5 nylon coil zipper. They solve different problems, so the right pick depends on whether your bag needs a closure, strap hardware, or a zipper finish.
Closure versus strap mobility
A purse frame is a closure system. The 6" arch frame has a large ball clasp and loops on each side for attaching a strap, so it replaces both a flap closure and separate strap connectors. You glue fabric into the frame channel rather than sewing it in, which makes it a good fit for cotton, canvas, cork, and vinyl.
Rectangle rings are strap hardware. They attach to your straps and handles to give them more mobility, so the strap can move rather than being fixed in one position. They do not close a bag. If you are deciding between these two, ask whether the bag needs an opening mechanism or a better strap connection.
Where zipper pulls fit in the comparison
Zipper pulls are not a closure alternative to a purse frame; they are the finishing piece for a zipper you have already installed. The pumpkin skeleton pulls are designed for Sallie Tomato Zippers by the Yard or any size #5 nylon coil zipper, and they work for single or double slide setups. That makes them a seasonal detail for totes, backpacks, handbags, and laptop carriers rather than a structural choice.
If your bag design already includes a #5 nylon coil zipper, pulls are a low-cost way to add a Fall or Halloween touch. If you are still choosing the main closure, start with the frame or a zipper, then pick pulls afterward.
The trade-off: installation method and commitment
The purse frame requires glue and careful alignment inside the channel. There is no sewing step, but you need to commit to the frame opening size and get the glue-up clean. Rectangle rings need a strap or tab to attach to, so they add a small amount of sewing and hardware placement but keep the strap movable. Zipper pulls are the simplest to install, but only if the zipper is already the right size and type.
None of these products is a universal substitute for another. A frame cannot give you a movable strap, rings cannot close a bag, and pulls cannot replace a missing zipper. Match the hardware to the job the bag actually needs.
Hardware trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- 6" purse frame: Choose it for a clutch or wallet that needs a clasp closure and strap loops in one piece. Trade-off: you must glue the fabric into the channel and commit to the frame opening size. Test your fabric in the channel before gluing.
- 3/4" rectangle rings: Choose them when a strap or handle needs to move rather than sit fixed. Trade-off: they require a strap or tab to attach to and do not close the bag. Pair them with matching swivel hooks and sliders for a consistent look.
- Pumpkin skeleton zipper pulls: Choose them for a bag that already has a #5 nylon coil zipper and needs a seasonal finish. Trade-off: they only work with that zipper type and size, so they cannot fix an incompatible zipper. Confirm your zipper is #5 nylon coil before ordering.
Hardware facts at a glance
- Four 3/4" Rectangle Rings: Rectangle rings attach to straps and handles to give them more mobility, and they pair with coordinating swivel hooks and slider buckles. Use them when you want an adjustable or movable strap connection rather than a fixed handle.
Four 3/4" Rectangle Rings - 6" Purse Frame: The 6" arch purse frame has a large ball clasp and loops on each side for attaching a strap; fabric is glued into the channel. It combines a clasp closure and strap attachment in one piece, which simplifies a clutch or wallet build.
6" Purse Frame - Four Pumpkin Skeleton Zipper Pulls: These zipper pulls work with Sallie Tomato Zippers by the Yard or any size #5 nylon coil zipper and support single or double slide setups. They are a quick seasonal upgrade for bags that already use a #5 nylon coil zipper.
Which hardware fits your project
Best for
- Bag makers who want a clasp closure and strap loops in one piece for a clutch or wallet
- Sewists adding movable strap attachment points to a tote or handbag
- Makers finishing a #5 nylon coil zipper with a Fall or Halloween detail
Not for
- Anyone who needs a sewn-in frame rather than a glued channel
- Bags that need a fixed, non-moving strap connection
- Zippers that are not #5 nylon coil
