That's what I use in mine, too. DH says it is called masonite, but here in PA it runs about 5.97 for a 2'x4' sheet, but you can get pretty many bottoms out of it, well worth it!!

Kathi in PA

I use cardboard. Wrap in a fabric sleeve to match lining. Lightweight and removable for washing.

Right after Christmas last year, one of the chain stores had the stiff plastic placemats on sale @4 for a dollar. I bought several and have used them in the bottoms of my bags.I can make at least 4 or 5 out of one placemat! I make a fabric sleeve to cover them. Works perfectly!! :thumbup: :-D :-D

I've used BagEBottoms(?) but they only come in certain sizes. I've also used matte board - the kind used for pictures.

I do the same thing. Easy and inexpensive. :thumbup:

I have used the buckram that is used for drapery making, and that works well if your bag bottom is not very wide.. I also have used the plastic place mats, and like another quilter wrote, they are usually in expensive, and you can get several from one mat. I make a sleeve, and hand stitch the end,,,,, sure beats the expensive purse bottoms.

also, I shop goodwilll shops for purses that have nice metal holdings for the straps, then I cut the original strap off, and use them on the straps of the purses I make. sure beats the price of purse handles in the LQS... also, sometimes I use the entire leather handles , as they are many times in very good shape too.

I love making purses,,,,and have more patterns than I'll ever use....must be a weakness on my part.

Jacie

Got an old cutting mat that is no longer good for its original purpose? It makes GREAT stabilizer in your bags! Just cut to fit!

You could also use baltic birch which you can find at Home Depot and ask it to be cut the size you want.

Also I have see lots of left over acryllic that are the rements of using the acryllic for something else.

One time I had 5 rulers cute various sizes that were common, like 2 1/2 3" 5" 6" etc. when i lived on Cape Cod. A gentleman had made a whole bunch of them for Heartbeat Quilting. They worked great. Lynne Plotner Pierce

Surrpise AZ.

You could also use baltic birch which you can find at Home Depot and ask it to be cut the size you want.

Also I have see lots of left over acryllic that are the rements of using the acryllic for something else.

One time I had 5 rulers cute various sizes that were common, like 2 1/2 3" 5" 6" etc. when i lived on Cape Cod. A gentleman had made a whole bunch of them for Heartbeat Quilting. They worked great. Lynne Plotner Pierce

Surrpise AZ.

Hi, quiltingrannie! I making a purse right now, so I ordered the Bag-E-Bottom from the same on-line store from whom I purchased the purse pattern. But depending on the size you need, have you ever given thought to using either the sides or bottom of your laundry detergent container, or even an empty, plastic, gallon milk container?
The cut acrylic from one of the lumber supply stores will probably work better, but. . . Good luck with your project!
Patty in Ohio

I use the plastic from the large cat litter jugs. Right now, I have 4 new large containers of bird see (stocked up for winter) and have already told the better half "they're mine when they're empty".

i use heavy inter faceing on the ones i make. betty

I just replaced my verical blinds on the patio door. The long vinyl strips make a wonderful, stable and waterproof purse bottom. Just cut to the lenght needed and cover with fabric. Liz.

I am newby living in Montana.

I use plastic canvas that I get at St Vincents thrift store, some one is always getting rid of craft stuff, try yard sales, where someone is gettting rid of their crafts supplies or estate sales, :thumbup:

I have my local lumber company saw the thinest plexiglas they have to the desired size. I asked them to round the corners which they did for a while and then decided they no longer wanted to do that so now my husband grinds the corners off with the grinder he uses to sharpen the lawn mower blades. I place the plexiglass between the lining and the purse.

I buy plastic canvas from the local thrift shops, cover both sides with batting and then the fabric.

I buy plastic canvas from the local thrift shops, cover both sides with batting and then the fabric.

Oh i feel so dumb lol, what is foam core board, and how thick is it, and what dept is it usually in? Thanks guys :)

I use a type of foam board sold at Hobby Lobby. Lately they've had a display in the middle of a main aisle-it sells for $1.99. You can cut it with an xacto knife. I make a sleeve out of matching scraps and glue it closed. There is no odor if it gets wet and 1 sheet will go a long way. Good Luck!!

below

I use the corrugated plastic old campaign signs, round the corners and slip in a sleeve. Out of the landfill and an eyesore after the elections.

I use "InnerFuse" heavy weight double-sided stiff fusible interfacing wrapping the fabric around and fusing and bought at JoAnns and Hancock and always use a coupon and it makes a very stiff bottom.

Foam core board looks like two sheets of poster board with about 1/8" of foam pressed in between them. You can purchase it in most craft, framing, hobby or office supply stores. Sometimes I even find it in the local dollar store.

Here are a couple places to purchase the plastic canvas:

Plastic canvas (.79 to $1.89) available at:
http://www.everythingplasticcanvas.c...-mrl-c260.aspx

Create for Less has it from .59 per sheet, but must be bought in multiples of 12 sheets, at:
http://www.createforless.com/search/...astic%20canvas

Yarn tree has some, but pricey:
http://yarntree.com/cross-stitch/ind...646c818bdfdc80

It's foam core for me. Quite often I get it for nothing when we have a group leave the conference center.

Kathy

I use paint sticks you can get from most places that sale paint. I get them from wal-mart and Lowes. I just ask for a stick or two everytime I am going there I have a few put back for when I need them . I sew a cover to cover the card board and cut the paint stick to fit. craft knife works. and any box you can find. cut out the size of bottom of your tote. I like FREE!!!!

Ooooooh, thank you :)

HUSBAND CUTS A PIECE OF PLEXIGLAS AND IT WORKS GREAT.

you can also use the board in those broken notebook binders.

I used to use plastic canvas from Hobby Lobby - Ultra stiff large sheets. These days my husband cuts from sheets of plexiglass we buy at Menards. I like the plastic better, and use scraps from the bag to cover the base. This means they are often scrappy, and make a brighter bottom.

i used a worn out cutting mat... cut it up, made a sleeve and felt like i was truly practical...

and, had an excuse to finally get a new mat!

Before retiring my DH got me a stack of old desk calendars.The ones that fit on tops for memos etc.
Used the monthly pages for packaging and the back for purse bottoms. The ones I got are Heavy and all you need for bottoms of purses once they are covered.

As I said before I use the plastic canvas and make a sleeve to slip it in. For the folks who glue the end of the sleeve. Why do you do that? These bags are washable so I figure if the sleeve gets dirty you can throw that in the wash too. Can you still wash it if it's glued shut? Just wondering. :D

I had an old, too small, cuting mat that I had a guy at work cut up into different sizes. He even rounded the corners so they don't poke through.

sue in OH

good idea using plastic place mats for the bottom of bags.

I use verticle blind left over panels! They are flexible,4" wide and you can cut them what ever length you need. I also use a fabic cover, which is removable. They have a nice soft curve to them which helps the purse stand up.

WOW Thanks for sharing all of your adive on this subject-

I use Luann.. I think that's how you spell it.. It's a very thin plywood. It's generally used on the back of a dresser or something like that.. It's thin and strong.. east to cut.. I just measure, cut, cover it with lining fabric and put it in the purse or tote.. Works great!

That is a really good idea! Thanks for sharing that one. :thumbup:

I use plastic canvas and I get mine from JoAnn's, Michaels or Hobby Lobby.