I don't know much about pellon, and I've never made a bowtuck, but I've been experimenting with making tote bags and recently a messenger bag using either jean material (heat n' bonded to the fabric and then sewn over) or for the messenger bag I used an old skirt I had and it worked great. You do have to sew over it even after you use the heat n' bond (at least with lite), but it doesn't cost much and it gives your bag a quilted look. Just thought I'd throw that out there.