Managed to bend foam core in purse bottom; bag-e-bottoms are too heavy as like to make light weight purses and totes. Any new ideas?

Not sure if this would work in your application, but my friend Karen used plastic canvas in her tote bag.

http://sewmuch2luv.blogspot.com/2011...g-upcycle.html

I used timtex in the Amy Butler bag I made and it seemed to work ok - just a bit hard to turn at the end.

http://www.amazon.com/C-T-Publishing.../dp/B002V3EOV0

Would plastic canvas work? It is lightweight and easy to cut to the shape you need. Just a thought.

I occasionally use this plastic cutting sheets- If I can find them in the dollar store. usually they come in a pack of 4- flexible cutting boards. You cannot sew through them. I envelope them in the liner fabric and tack them in place.

I bought 9 x 12 inexpensive artist canvas in a package at Micheal's and cut them to size with a bread knife. Works out to about 50 cants a bag - they come in assorted sizes.

My vote is for plastic canvas. It usually holds its shape well.

I buy plexi glass and cut it to size.

Foam core is very easily snapped, so I am not surprised.

There is a special stiffener you can purchase for this purpose ... forget the name ... sold along with all the other iron on stiffeners/interfacings.

How do you cut it? Sounds like a great light weight alternative.

You mean those thin, yet sturdy, sheets you can use as a cutting board?

I have used an old clipboard that I sawed to fit, and sanded down the edges. Very sturdy and not very heavy.

Gee thanks so much; will try both methods.

I get left over sign material. Some of it is solid plastic, some have 'channels'. Go to your local sign shop and ask if they have any scraps, usually inexpensive, sometimes free!!!

I use the heavyweight template plastic. And I have seen where people have used the needlepoint plastic. But I have a lot of the HW template (found huge pkg of clearance a year or so ago), so I use that. AND it goes through the washing machine like a breeze.

I use $1.00 placemats for the bottoms of mine. Easy to cut and can't get much cheaper. I just make a sleeve and slide it in.

I use very, very thin (less than 1/8") masonite that my hubby cuts to size for me. Put it in a sleeve that matches the lining. Doesn't add any weight that I have noticed to the finished bag. Bonus is after he's cut 4 bottoms, there is still have enough left that I can make lots more bags!

I think the foam core you used sounds good.

I've used Matte board --

I use the same thing and it works great. I found it in Home Depot/Lowes - they sold it in the same area where you get new keys made up.

Good luck!

I also use this in the bottoms. Plastic canvas is just too flimsy and nothing else seemed to hold up. Not had a problem and very sturdy and cheap enough too.

i use balsa wood cut to size

That's what I would use :)

I cut up some plastic place mats, they work great.

I use a piece of cardboard box or cardboard they wrap fabric on, most stores are happy to give them to you, and wrap it with fabric, like a gift, which I glue down. Let the glue dry completely then just put it in your finished purse and it is easily removed if you want to wash your purse.

There's something similar to foam core, but more durable. It's just as light. It's called Rag Board - thicker and stiffer than regular mat board. Ask your local frame shop to cut you a piece to size. (Micheal's keeps it on hand; others may not.)

I have used Plastic Canvas, I did not care for it as I did not think it was sturdy enough. I now use a think plastic that the Amish use on their dress bonnets I don't know what the name of the product is, I buy if from my Amish ladies. Light weight, comes in black or white, and is flexitble with the bag.

I've use plastic cross-stitch canvas. Over the years I tried other things but always went back to plastic canvas. Overall I like the firmness of this product. If I have a cutting mat that is no longer usable, I will cut that up and use as well.

One of the best totes I made had a bottom made from a piece of adhesive vinyl floor title. I covered it in left over batting and made a sleeve out of lining fabric. It doesn't crack...isn't heavy...and holds the purse shape. any of the hardware stores have this. We had some left over from a home project

Plastic Canvas

I've always used plastic canvas. Works great: bendable, but rigid when it's in place. I like it best for the fact that it is light weight! You'll like it.

I have used the plastic canvas, covered to match and sewn right through it (longer stitch and sew slowly)

I have used these also. Dollar Tree has 2-packs, each measuring 15"x12"...and, they are, you guessed it - $1.00 !!

I use old political yard signs. Works great. And seeing as how there are always elections going on, not hard to get hold of. I just ask my neighbors who put signs in their yard if I can have them after the election is over.

My choice for a bottom is multi layers of Craft backing ironed onto the bottom panel. Let just one or two layers extend to the stitch line and the next couple extend to just shy of the stitch line.

This is washable and will not break like plastic canvas or some other plastic bottoms.

I've bought plastic canvas too, however, the one's I've found are only 13 1/2" long, so if your bag is larger than that then those don't work. Using cheap placemats is a good idea.

I use plastic from the bottoms of my old reusable grocery bags. Heavier than a disposable cutting board, lighter weight than a lot of other things.

I use the plasticore that everyone is making signs out of these days. Looks like cardboard but plastic, very light weight, great stuff! You can even use old campaign signs if you cover them with fabric.

I use the short laminate wood flooring samples. It is light weight and the right size for most of the bags I make. Lowe's will give me the samples that have been discontinued free if they have any left. DH cuts them to the length I need if I need a shorter one and if I need a longer one well, they just snap together!

I just did an overnight bag with the bottom using a layer of buckram, fusible fleece and two layers of fabric quilted together, It made a sturdy bottom and I liked the look. I have also used plastic canvas cut to the size of the bottom. I have foam board to use but do not want to use it on anything I feel may be washed.

I've also used an old worn out cutting mat; makes a stiff bottom that isn't heavy. I cut it with good kitchen shears or a craft knife.