What material do you recommend to use in the bottom of your purses or bags to provide the stiffness and support?

one lady posted that she uses the acrylic from the hardware store that is used for windows. i've used plastic canvas before.

plastic canvas or the cloroplastic corrugated plastic board

Thx. Is one layer of plastic canvas enough?

I buy the cheap vinyl placemats at the dollar store or wally world and cut them to fit in a sewn sleeve to put in the bottom.

Depending on the size, you can use the gallon plastic bottles also.

That is a great idea!!!

I've heard of people using Timtex for this because it's fairly stiff.

My son made a wine cabinet for his wife and had some of the board left that you use for the backing.Worked wonderful!

I went to the picture framing department and bought the stiff foam board they use for framing pictures.
I use a spare rotary cutter and mat to cut it.
It gives just enough stiffness to the bottom of the purse.
I make a sleeve for it so it can be removed when washing the purse.
I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, the cost was 99 cents.
Don't remember the size but I have made six Bow Tuck purses so far and still have enough for at least four or five more.

Blessings,
Sandi

I also use the foam board cut to size. I get it at the Dollar Tree and can do about 6-10 bag bottoms with it. Can't beat the price. I also have used the plastic canvas.

That's a GREAT idea!!

I just cut up plastic milk jugs to the size I need.

after the last election season I picked up several politician's signs left behind and planned to throw them away, but now realize that the corrogated plastic is PERFECT for the bottom of bags. It's lightweight and sturdy. Visit your local sign shop to get a supply. Easy to cut with a box cutter.

I have used old cutting mats cut to size!

I use the corrogated plastic, easy to clean and to cut

I use the needlepoint plastic they have at Joanns.

Depending on how stiff you want it...

I need to replace the once-stiff cardboard in a Vera Bradley bag. I'd read somewhere that someone used those stick-on vinyl tiles cut to size to provide a base for a bag. I've seen them sold individually at Home Depot or Lowes.

I go to my local sign shop. They have a barrel of scrap sign material that is very stiff. If they only have thinner stuff, I use double stick tape to stick 2 pcs together. I always cover the hard base with fabric, so sticking 2 pcs together isn't a problem. The prices on the pieces vary, but I usually can get a bunch of stuff for under $5.

I use the cheap plastic cutting mats from the dollar store. They are usually sold in sets of 3 and are about the size of a place mat. The vinyl placemats will work as well.

I make a sleave and recycle cardboard. I love the idea of the plastic canvas but am trying to be frugal these days and make every peeny count ;)

I make a sleave and recycle cardboard. I love the idea of the plastic canvas but am trying to be frugal these days and make every peeny count ;)

Ditto!!

I like this idea too! Have to check those out.

I have used the plastic thing that comes in the bacon package.

i have used the plastic corrigated "for sale" or "political signs" cut up and wrapped in matching fabric..( i stable it on the back side...

I use foam core, it's rigid and holds up real well

Have you tried that plastic mesh stuff (which the name of it escapes me right now) ?? Folks use it to cut into shapes and then use yarn or whatever to create patterns??? Okay - if you have any idea what I'm talking about (LOL), use that ! I've used it in purses - made a "cover" for it and when it comes times to wash the purse, remove it - can even take off the sleeve (make the sleeve with one end open of course) and wash that too. Works great! Cheap too.....

I use 1/4" foam board left over from making my minis. Problem tho. I have it in a sleeve at the bottom but it keeps shifting and my stuff ends up underneath it. Can't decide whether to velcro it in or stitch down both sides leaving the end open to insert the FB. Suggestions please.

One quilting teacher friend uses the vertical blinds from a repair set. Her hubby cuts them to the right size. I have a few purses made from her pattern with these glued into the bottom then the lining sewed up and they work great!

Yes, usually, sometimes if you need it stiffer you can use 2 but I use 1 layer. You can also buy the stiffer plastic canvas...it is way cheaper than the stuff they sell for the bottom.

I use 2 layers of plastic canvas...seems to work well.
I round off the corners.

I recycle my large plastic jugs- yes,! Clorox jugs for a bottom in a purse? believe it or not, you can press the plastic flat with a Warm iron between several sheets of tissue, I also use it to make plastic letters, etc. - its real easy to cut to size,lay something heavy (a book) for a couple of minutes (while still warm) to keep it flat and you have free craft supplies.

I use plastic canvas ans template plastic as it is washable and remains stiff.

I got scraps of corrugated sign material at a sign shop. easy to cut with rotary cutter or Xacto, and cheaper than the Bag-e-bottoms from Lazy girl. (Sometimes the shop will give you the smaller scraps) Just have to be sure to round the edge a bit so it won't poke a hole in the fabric.

I used several pieces of heavy plastic canvas. It can be left in when washing. I also found something the other day that I am going to use for stencils and templates and it would also be great for the purse bottoms. It is a package of flexible cutting mats from the kitchen department at Wal Mart. There were 3 to the package. It can be cut with scissors and is white. The sheets are 12 x 15 and only cost about $5.

I use Peltex which is an ultra, super stiff fusible interfacing. You can buy it at JoAnn's. I cut 2 pieces to the size I need and iron or fuse them together. It's then very stiff after it cools from the iron. Next, I sew it to re-enforce it in small triangles starting at one end of my piece sewing up on an angle and when you get to the end, you pivot the fabric and go back down to finish up the triangle. I try to get 3 or 4 triangles across my piece. Once again, doing the stitching re-enforces the Peltex. Then depending on the purse I'm making, I try to sew it directly into the "inside" (beteen the layers of fabric and the batting) of the bottom of the purse and then sew it down around the edges of the bottom of the bag as opposed to "sleeving it". The sleeves work, but as someone else mentioned, they do shift around in your bag a lot and stuff does in deed fall underneath. But my long arm quilting lady told me about this and it works beautifully. Only one problem, peltex is not cheap, but best to buy it at Joann's when they either run their 50% off on interfacings, or those of you who were lucky enough to get the 60% off coupons could stock up on it if you make a lot of purses.

I like to use corrugated plastic signs from home depo or old political signs recycle them. No one will ever know.
I lucked out at a yard sale and got a big box of them from some one who went out of business "I buy houses "

Timex is what I use. :D

I did this too and it costs nothing!

Most frame shops will give you their scraps of matting board, which make great purse bottoms. Cut them for a tight fit in the bottom of the purse, and just insert them into a facric cover.