Firming up the bag
 

Ok, I want to make myself a quilted tote bag but I want it to have some heft to it. What can I cut to size and put in the bottom and in the sides to make it really formed? Would tightly woven rug hooking plastic work? Or any other craft plastic sheeting? Would I sew it into the lining of the bag? Maybe there is a tutorial on youtube or somewhere that I haven't come across. There are a lot of tote tutorials but I haven't found one that includes the firming up idea. I am going to be stuffing it with a lot of stuff as I am hoping to take it as a carry on/purse. Thanks for any help you can give me.

I'm not sure if a woven rug would last. I would try something like heavily starch corderoy or denium; that woud give you the strength and would not come unraveled as quickly as a woven rug. Good luck. I'll be looking to see what you end up making!

I used to use plastic canvas (the kind kids use to stitch on) in the bottom of bags http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_canvas

Available at craft shops and inexpensive

You could use some firm Peltex. http://pellonideas.com/products/1151-peltex-70.aspx

Oh yeah, and you can sew it into the lining at the bottom, but I would just cover it with the lining material (separately), that way I could take it out for washing, or to fold up for storage, etc.

this is how I use plastic canvas for the bottoms, inserting it in a 'pillowcase' with its end tucked into the curve. it stays very rigid
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I also use the plastic canvas. I've also cut up a old cutting mat. Both worked really well.

I found a new product called soft and stable (byannie.com) This a wonderful product that I used in my Selvage tote. I'm totally sold on it and will continue to use it. I had a hard stifner in this bag until I attended the Sew Expo this year and discovered the product. Annie's purses and totes look very professional and beautiful. Take a look at my last tote made with soft and stable. I did find it at my large local fabric store-Fabric Depot in Portland, OR. The wholesale department will pull it off the floor and ship it to you but byannie.com will too and she is one lovely lady I would like to continue to support!

For the support in the bottom of my totes I also use a piece of coroplast board. It's strong and I cut it so the corraguated lines will go across for more support not lengthwise. It's plastic so if it gets wet it doesn't get ruined or give. I use this product to wrap my yardage of fabrics on. It's very strong so it will hold some weight. I cover it with a piece of lining and top stitch closed at one end.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t183290.html

I 2nd the idea of Soft and Stable. It is the best product I've used. For my bottom stiffening I use the corrugated plastic that is used to make signs. I went to the local sign shop and bought some of his scraps. It cuts easily with an old rotary cutter.

I use the corrugated plastic to wrap my fabrics instead of comic boards. Whenever we have local elections, I run around the day after and pick them up, wash them off and cut into 6X9 inch rectangles. I NEVER have to buy comic boards!! That's one way to keep them out of the landfills!!

I made a bag with a fusible product called Inn-Control Plus....it's a layer of foam rubber with fusible on one side. It definitely made a firm-sided bag and I used it for the bottom too. But...my sewing machine balked at more than two layers of it (with fabric) and I had to sew slowly on even two layers. But it made a very sturdy and professional-looking bag. I used a pattern from Keepsake Quilting and got the foam stuff from them also but I think it's available from the manufacturer's website.

I just love this! IF only I could find some cheap plastic canvas!

OH my....I need to do this!

Buy some of those plastic cutting boards at your nearest dollar store and cut two pieces to fit the bottom of your bag then make a pillowcase of fabric to slide it into and place in the bottom of your bag

Use Peltex in the bottom that will really firm up the bottom, and two layers of the fusible fleece in the body of the bag. I really like the floriani better than the pellon but it is way more expensive than pellon

You can use Inn Control or inn Control Plus by Innovative. The difference is that the plus already has fusible on it if you want to fuse it it. I love the Innovative products. Inn Spire and also Inn Spire Plus are similar to Peltex but you can shape them.

Using a Micro Tex needle or a Jeans needle should help when sewing with Inn Control.

Nancy, what is the purpose of the "curve", instead of just using two layers of plastic canvas? What am I missing?

I use shade cloth to make hammocks for the cat furniture we make and I had some of cuts so I tried it on a bag and it worked out realy well,

Had husband cut a bottom to size from light weight panneling and then covered it with batting and into a sleeve. Makes for easy cleaning by washing sleeve.

This is what I use....the purses are plenty firm.

Lazy Girl Designs makes an acrylic bag bottom. There are several sizes to choose from. The bottom is covered with a slip-on sleeve. I have made several purses and interchange the bottom from purse to purse. If you don't want to buy the bottoms. You could buy the acrylic plastic sheet and make your own.
To make the purse stronger on the sides. You can layer between your inner and outer fabric a product called Steam-A-Seam or maybe quilt the layers.
http://www.lazygirldesigns.com/produ..._E_Bottoms/c53

Polastic canvas sounds like a good idea. I have cut up old plastic corrugated political yard signs for the bottom. Cut to size and cover with fabric.

I would like to use the Soft and Stable, but it is pricey. I have used and will probably continue to use medium weight Pellon fusible interfacing. It is plenty firm, but not stiff. I generally add a piece to my inner pockets, too. I buy the Pellon at my local Joann's with a coupon.....is really inexpensive that way.....:)

I have used that canvas and also a piece of foam core board cut to fit and covered with a pillowcase. And I found the bag bottom at a quilt store mentioned above that I kept for myself!! It can go in a pillowcase and I can move it to different bags.

Sewing with Nancy just had a couple of shows on bags and you can view these on her website free www.sewingwithnancy.com and she shows some alternatives for the bottoms and for the stabilizers. Good shows.

20+ years ago, I made a diaper bag for a friend who was having a baby. I used plastic canvas for the sides and bottom. It was substantial and washable.

I'm with you. I like my bags with good body. Here's what I do --

I use fusible fleece instead of batting. This, by itself, will give the main bag some body.
But to add a firmer feel (so it stands up by itself), I use a medium fusible interfacing on the lining. Don't use heavyweight, it will be too hard to turn through the lining hole if your pattern uses the "birthing" method.
For the bottom, I use plastic canvas.

These tips have come from trial and error over many bags (sell them locally and online and no complaints).

Hope this helps!

What do you cut the with?

the curve makes the plastic canvas rigid. without the curve, plastic canvas bends

I've made a few bags and Iused mat board for the bottom
maybe you can get off cuts from a framing shop .
I hpoe this will help.
Noella.