The same bag can feel classic, boho, modern, vintage, sporty, or beautifully eclectic—all without sewing a different pattern.
Sometimes all it takes is a scarf tied around the handle, a decorative chain, a favorite charm collected while traveling, or a few unexpected hardware details.
Whether you're sewing a brand-new project or refreshing a bag you've loved for years, this guide is packed with creative ways to personalize your bags. Save it for your next sewing project, because you'll probably want to come back to it again and again!
Watch the video below for our top 10 favorite ideas, then keep scrolling for all 20 ways to customize your handmade bags!
1. Tie on a Bag Scarf
This adds instant style in under a minute!
A bag scarf is one of the easiest ways to personalize any bag. Tie it around a handle, knot it on one side, or wrap it neatly from top to bottom for a polished look. The best part is that you can swap it whenever you want a fresh style!
Perfect for:
Try this:
Match your lining fabric.
Choose seasonal prints.
Coordinate with your outfit.
Tie one onto your suitcase so it's easy to spot at baggage claim.
If you'd like to make your own, download our Free Bag Scarf Pattern.
2. Add a Fabric Bandana
A casual and effortlessly cool detail.
A bandana gives your bag a relaxed, lived-in feel that's perfect for everyday adventures! Our Free Napkin & Bandana Pattern doubles as a fun bag accessory. Fold it into a triangle and knot it around a handle or let it drape loosely from one side. It's an easy, scrap-friendly way to use favorite fabrics or showcase a fun seasonal print.
Looks especially great on:
3. Clip on a Bag Charm
Tiny accessory, big personality!
Bag charms are having a major moment, and it's easy to see why. Think of them as jewelry for your bag.
You might choose:
Initial charms
Travel souvenirs
Seasonal decorations
Want something completely unique? Make your own with our Free DIY Bag Charm Tutorial.
4. Style Your Bag with Decorative Chains
A little shine goes a long way!
Decorative chains instantly add movement, texture, and sophistication. Our lightweight chains are available in matching hardware finishes, making it easy to coordinate them with your swivel hooks, zipper pulls, and hardware.
Creative ideas:
Weave ribbon through the links.
Braid chain into a strap.
Drape chain across a flap.
Clip a charm onto the center.
Use chain as a removable shoulder strap.
For an even bolder statement, our lightweight Opal Resin Chain creates a beautiful handbag-length handle that is surprisingly comfortable to carry!
5. Swap to an Interchangeable Strap
One bag. Endless looks!
Changing your strap can completely transform your bag. It almost feels like carrying a brand-new bag when you swap out the strap!
Imagine the same crossbody bag with:
Guitar-style strap
Style Inspiration:
A colorful woven strap instantly makes a simple crossbody feel casual, while a coordinating faux leather strap creates a more classic look.
6. Finish with a Handmade Tassel
The detail everyone notices.
Tassels add movement, texture, and a handmade touch. Our tassel hardware makes creating beautiful tassels quick and beginner friendly using cork fabric, faux leather, or even leather. Attach one to your zipper, a d-ring, swivel hook, bag charm, or the end of a strap.
7. Replace Basic Zipper Pulls
Small change. Big impact.
Decorative zipper pulls are often the first detail you notice when opening your bag. Choose designs that fit your personality and complement your fabric. They're tiny details that make every zipper a little more fun!
Some favorites include:
Hearts
Stars
Flowers
Geometric shapes
Vintage styles
Sewist themed
Halloween
8. Make Custom Zipper Pulls
Every zipper deserves a little personality.
Take your zipper pulls one step further by making your own! This is also a wonderful way to use up small scraps from previous projects.
Try combining:
Leather tabs
Cork tabs
Wooden beads
Silicone beads
Glass beads
Paracord
Braided cord
Mini tassels
Metal charms
9. Decorate with Patches and Labels
Tell your story without saying a word.
Patches instantly make a bag feel personal. They're especially fun on backpacks, travel bags, and everyday totes! Consider adding:
Iron-on labels
Woven labels
Leather labels
10. Customize with Decorative Hardware
Hardware can become a beautiful accent too!
Decorative rivets, Chicago screws, and conchos don't just hold pieces together. They can become part of the design. Our NEW conchos install just like Chicago screws, making them easy to add to both new and finished bags.
Try using them to:
Accent flap closures.
Highlight strap anchors.
Decorate pockets.
Add Western-inspired style.
Create floral or vintage-inspired details.
Designer Tip
Repeat decorative hardware in multiple places around the bag so it looks intentional and ties the bag design together even further.
11. Clip on Keychains and Carabiners
Practical can still be pretty.
Keychains and carabiners aren't just useful. They can become part of your bag's personality. Perfect for backpacks, hiking bags, and travel bags. Use them to carry:
Keys
Lip balm
Hand sanitizer
AirTag holders
Mini pouches
Flashlights
Shopping tokens
12. Wrap Your Handles
Comfort meets color and pattern!
Wrapped handles protect your bag while adding texture. You can even switch wraps throughout the year for a seasonal refresh. Wrap them with:
Fabric strips
Cork fabric
Leather lace
Cotton cord
Ribbon
13. Add Decorative Knots
A simple knot can become a design feature.
Decorative knots work beautifully on zipper pulls, straps, and side tabs. Outdoor-inspired bags especially benefit from this rugged look. Try making decorative knots with leather lace, cotton rope, waxed cord, or paracord.
14. Add Personalized Name Tags
Make it unmistakably yours.
Nothing says custom like personalization. Ideas include Engraved leather tags, Wooden tags, acrylic name tags, Initial charms, and Custom metal labels. These also make wonderful additions to handmade gifts!
15. Create Fabric Embellishments
Don't throw away those scraps!
Leftover fabric can become beautiful accessories. Try making: Fabric yo-yos, Rosettes, Mini bows, Flowers, or Decorative tabs. These little details coordinate perfectly because they're made from the same fabrics as your bag.
16. Let Your Webbing Be the Star
Sometimes the strap deserves all the attention.
Decorative webbing instantly changes the personality of a bag. Choose bold stripes, woven textures, floral prints, or classic solids to complement your fabrics. A beautiful strap can become the feature that ties the entire project together.
17. Think Beyond Basic Zippers
Your zipper tape is part of the design.
Decorative zipper tape adds interest every time you open your bag! Printed zipper tape, striped tape, or contrasting colors create a custom look before you even add a zipper pull. It's one of those little details that makes people stop and ask, "Where did you get that zipper!?"
18. Mix Materials for Extra Texture
Contrast creates interest.
Some of the most beautiful handmade bags combine multiple materials. Try pairing: Cork with quilting cotton, Faux leather with canvas, Vinyl with cork, Faux Waxed canvas with leather, or Printed vinyl with solids. Mixing textures gives your bag depth while creating a look that's uniquely handmade.
19. Add Functional Accessories
Beautiful and practical is always a winning combination.
Some accessories work hard while looking great. You'll appreciate these thoughtful details every time you use your bag! Consider adding:
20. Layer Accessories Together
The magic is in the combination!
Some of the most eye-catching bags combine several accessories together. The possibilities are endless!
Imagine this combination:
Or perhaps:
Style Recipes to Inspire Your Next Bag!
Cottage Garden
Southwest Adventure
Modern Minimalist
Clean topstitching
Can You Accessorize a Bag After It's Finished?
Absolutely! Many of the best bag accessories can be added long after your sewing project is complete. A five-minute update can make an older favorite feel brand new. Some of the easiest updates include:
The Best Bags Tell a Story
The most memorable bags aren't always the most expensive. They're the ones filled with thoughtful details that reflect you! Maybe it's the scarf sewn from leftover fabric from your favorite quilt. The enamel charm you picked up on vacation. The concho that reminds you of a camping trip out West. Or the tassel you made from scraps of your very first cork project. Those little details become part of the story your bag tells.
There isn't a right or wrong way to accessorize a bag. Start with one idea or combine several. Experiment with colors, textures, hardware, and handmade details until your bag feels completely your own. That's one of the greatest joys of making bags by hand.
We hope this guide inspires you to try something new on your next project. Be sure to bookmark it, pin it for later, and come back whenever you're looking for fresh ways to personalize your bags!
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