Totally hidden closures

[LiftPig]

I made a briefcase for a client who wanted all closures to be completely hidden and no visible straps. She suggested magnetic closures since her purse has one. I argued that I didn’t think it would be strong enough but I ended up caving and did it. Guess what?  It’s not strong enough. So now I am fixing my mistake. 
 

I’m looking for ideas on what to do without having to rebuild the whole thing. I’m thinking side-release buckles. Put the male end of the buckle where the magnet is on the bag portion and the putting the female end on a liner inside the flap. 
 

has anyone has any experience with this sort of thing?

[LatigoAmigo]

44 minutes ago, LiftPig said:

has anyone has any experience with this sort of thing?

I feel your pain. I've been faced with the same problem, and resolved it by installing hidden snaps. Maybe place a ligne 24 snap in between the magnets.

Edited May 6, 2020 by LatigoAmigo

[Tugadude]

There's no reason you couldn't take the magnets off and replace them with tuck clasps.  Once the flap is closed, the tucks are hidden underneath.  I see this all the time with briefcases that have real buckles that show on top while the flap actually is secured by tucks that sit beneath the straps that go through the buckle.  Similar deal here maybe?

 

 

[LiftPig]

I could do that.  The question is what to attach the flap side of the closure to.  Is my "liner" idea valid?

1 hour ago, LatigoAmigo said:

I feel your pain. I've been faced with the same problem, and resolved it by installing hidden snaps. Maybe place a ligne 24 snap in between the magnets.

I thought about line 24 but I can see her complaining about having to push on the outside of the bag and not having a firm enough surface or something.  

 

This bag is painful.  I wish it would go away.

[DJole]

Maybe you just need bigger magnetic closures?
Take a look at the selection offered here, to see some possibilities: https://www.buckleguy.com/magnetic-purse-snaps/
Note that these magnetic "snaps" give the "weight" required to open them, which is useful.

[LiftPig]

Thank you DJole

[Tugadude]

50 minutes ago, LiftPig said:

I could do that.  The question is what to attach the flap side of the closure to.  Is my "liner" idea valid?

I thought about line 24 but I can see her complaining about having to push on the outside of the bag and not having a firm enough surface or something.  

 

This bag is painful.  I wish it would go away.

Maybe attach the male part of the tuck to a short strap and attach the strap to that "liner".  I could picture it being easier to open and close with a little strap to give it some slack.