What are Bag Feet and Why Should you Use Them

The primary reason for using bag feet on bags is to help protect the bag base from dirt and scuffs. Secondly — and just as importantly — they look great, giving a bag a more stylish, professional finish.

At Bobbin Girl Bag Making Supplies, you’ll find a wide range of purse feet in various shapes and sizes, all supplied with washers as standard.

Installing bag feet is simple. Most bag-making patterns indicate where the feet should be placed; simply transfer these markings onto your bag base using a fabric marker. Use an awl or pointed tool to create small holes, insert the stems of the bag feet, open the prongs, and secure them in place with a washer.

Why bag feet make such a difference in everyday use

From experience, bags without feet tend to show wear much more quickly, especially on the base. Even placing a bag briefly on the floor, a café table, or the ground beside you can lead to marks that are difficult to remove later. Bag feet lift the base slightly, reducing direct contact and helping your bag look better for longer.

For me, they’re one of those small details that quietly do a lot of work.

Do all handmade bags need bag feet?

Not necessarily — and this is where personal judgement comes in.
I tend to use bag feet on:

Structured bags
Everyday handbags
Bags made from lighter fabrics that mark easily

I’m less likely to use them on very soft, slouchy styles or casual project bags where a relaxed look is part of the design.

There’s no right or wrong — it’s about the look and longevity you want from your finished bag.

A small detail that makes a bag look “finished”

Bag feet are one of those hardware details that elevate a handmade bag from homemade to handcrafted. They add a subtle touch of polish that many people don’t consciously notice — but they absolutely feel it when the bag is in use.

It’s often these finishing details that make a bag feel professional and well thought out.