What do you use to stiffen the bottom of a tote/purse?
 

I am about to make a tote bag for my DD and a purse for an upcoming trip for myself. My question is -- what does everyone use to create a flat, nonbending bottom on their bags? I don't want to put all the work into piecing a nice bag and have it droop.

In the past I have used plastic needlepoint canvas. I've always liked it because you can cut it very precisely to any size, but it is not quite as stiff as I would like. Any ideas?

Many thanks to anyone who cares to share.

What about doubling the plastic canvas ?

I sewed two pieces together with the top one being larger to make a D. This works great.
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I made My Dog Lilys Bag and wanted it Stiff too! I used some Plastic Binders I found at Goodwill, Not the ones with cardboard inside them But the ones Made of Solid Translusent plastic. :) PS: to Cut it I used a Xsacto knife

I make a fabric sleeve and insert a piece of foam core board and then sew it shut. It fits great in the corners and can be removed if you need to wash it. I've also used the plastic canvas.

I like nans suggestion. you can also use a piece of plastic. like a ruler maybe. I would do like ksdot says and make a sleeve for it that you can take it out of. the bag so it can be washed.

I recycle lids from old plastic packing crates. It cuts easily with my old rotary cutter and is machine washable. Very stiff, no sag and lasts longer than the fabric.

I use foam core board. I round off the corners a bit so you don't have that sharp point wearing on the fabric.

I use self stick floor tiles two put together. Cover with a sleeve that matches the inside of the bag.

I had the DH to cut a piece of acrylic and put it inside a removable "sleeve"....this way you can remove the acrylic and toss the rest in the wash as needed.

If you have a sign shop nearby go in and ask for their scraps. The corrugated plastic, like campaign signs are made from, is very lightweight but strong. I got an armload of various sized scraps for $10 and have been using it for almost a year (and I make lots of purses/bags). I've tried foam core, but it bends. Plastic canvas isn't strong enough to suit me.
I use an old rotary cutter to cut the plastic. Make fabric sleeves to put it in and leave one end open so it can be taken out when the bag is washed.

I used a fabric sleeve and DH cut a thin piece of luan panneling with rounded corners.

Nancy's Notions has something called Shape & Create and also Bag E Bottoms---these items are specially made to keep the bottom of your bag from being droopy.

Chris

I use template plastic or use those thin cutting boards you can get from dollar store.

I have used the heavy template plastic and also put it in a fabric sleeve.

I use coreboard which I purchase at Joann's, cut out the size I need, and then I sew together a pillow case to fit the coreboard in. I don't sew one end so the coreboard can be taken out and the pillow case washed the same time the purse is washed.

wuv2quilt,
My hubby cuts me out the acrylic bases too :)

2 layers of plastic canvas works for me !!

Our Walmart sells a heavy Pellon , that I use.

I have some old clipboards that I have cut to make the bottoms of bags. Nice and sturdy, and will not sag. I cut them with a jig saw and sand the corners a bit rounded.

I've used the plastic cutting boards and the corrugated plastic. Both work great, but I'm definitely going to try the self stick tiles mentioned above. What a GREAT idea!!

This is a great idea and can be found at the dollar store or Goodwill.

Stiff Purse Bottom Ideas
 

This is what my friends do - they found that foam core bent permanently when they carried something too heavy (in one case) or when someone banged into them/their purse at an odd angle at a quilt show (the other case) - so they came up with this double-plastic canvas idea, but they covered it with fabric for each removal (but if forgotten could still go through the wash).

I use mat board that is normally used by picture framers. My daughter is a professional framer and she gives me all her scraps. I cut them to the size needed, glue 2 pieces together, for strength, make a sleeve, to fit, from the purse lining fabric, slip the mat board inside and then it can be removed to wash the purse. If you have a frame shop close by ask them for their scraps.

I haven't tried this yet, but I've had friends use worn out cutting mats. Cut out the good pieces for purse bottoms. I haven't worn out any mats yet.

I use the Plastic canvas double & also make a sleeve for it & it holds up very well & adds no weight.

I was going to ask the same question!!!! I made one bag and it is way too flimsy...I thought about 1/4 inch acrylic from the hardware store. I love the idea of using floor tiles. The DH brought home a half box of the ugliest commercial floor tile I have ever seen, the cheapest stuff you could find. But it is perfect for a purse! Thanks!

I keep a look out for discarded plastic signing from local walmart. The signs are like cardboard but made from plastic. Just the right stiffness for the job. I got a real big one last time that will last awhile.

Wow!! Great suggestions. I haven't thought of a lot of these!

I stock up on plastic placemats from the Clearance Aisle at WalMart. I recently purchased about 30 for $.15 each. I also use them for templates. Heavier than template plastic and a lot cheaper.

wow..so many GOOD ideas..and some are recycled items as well...yiippee.....

I go to a local sign shop and purchase scraps of the corrugated plastic sign board. Easy to cut and works great. I make a fabric sleeve for it but don't sew it shut since I want to be able to wash it, if needed.

I use plastic placemats from the dollar store and put it a removeable sleeve.

All the suggestions are great. Just to reiterate, be sure to round the corners slightly to prevent the wearing out (or poking through) the bag corners.

I cut a piece of foam core board. I used this material for wrapping my fabric on. Like brendadawg I don't stitch the sleeve closed so it can be washed. The plastic is light in weight and easy to cut. We definitely do not need more weight in our totes!

They have plexiglas bottoms available precut from LQS or Clothide. These run about $10/purse. The alternative that I use is going to the local home improvement store and buying a sheet of plexiglas and cutting it to the size I need. I have used Deco Bond in some purses also. Deco Bond isn't as stiff as plexigas but works well.

When I replaced my large cutting matt (it was abt. 36" x 54"), I kept it. I have my husband cut out purse bottoms from it. Works great!

I use foam core board covered with a sleeve made from lining fabric. But I make the sleeve about 4 inches longer and tuck it in the end. Then I can remove the board and wash the cover and then reassemble.

Doreen

I have used a variety of heavy weight stabilizers, Timtex, etc. as well as a commercial product that I believe is called Baggy Bottoms. One tip I read but have not tried is to cut up any warped cutting mats that you have hanging around.

I use foam core that I cover with Contact paper and put into a sleeve. This way the Foam core will not get wet if there is a spill or Rain.