Great idea!!

Another suggestion: if you have old cutting mats, cut them to size and usse as bag bottom.

I use 2 layers of plastic canvas - have been very lucky to find it at garage sales or thrift store. I did use cardboard one time, thankfully it was my purse! I accidetally knocked over a cup of soda on the car seat where the purse was sitting - destroyed the cardboard and had to make a new bottom for my purse.

Have also recycled some plexiglas for purse bottoms - I did sand the edges and slightly round the corners so they would not wear through the fabric covering. No problem so far and one of the purses I've used for about a year now.

I would be happy to send you some plastic canvas. PM me your address. I have to mail out some fabric this week so I will be at the post office anyway. :)

I use the plastic kitchen cutting mats that you can buy from the dollar tree. I cut 2 pieces and then make a sleeve
to cover it. It seems to hold up pretty good.

I use the heavy mat boards from the art department at the craft store. I make a "sleeve" out of fabric and cover the mat board and they hold up really well.

I own a sign shop and we have a material called PVC. It comes in different thickness but I use the 3mm and cut it to size and then round the corners. I had bought a Bag E Bottom when I made my first Margo purse. They are expensive !! This material works just great even without being covered with fabric. It won't bend like corrugated plastic or foam board.

Try your local sign shops or a plastic distributor. They will most likely have scraps since the material comes in 4' x 8' sheets.

I use scraps of the mat board used around pictures. Sometimes I can get it for free. Check with places that do framing.

The pattern I used from Allpeoplequilt to make tote bags calls for Peltex in the bottom. It goes between the bag and the lining so it is never seen. It has worked well so far.

That's what I use too.