I am back for advice from my very helpful friends on the board. I have made one bag that collapses. I dont even carry it because it gets on my nerves. I was wondering what you all use to make them stiffer ? Should I use Heavy weight Interfacing with something else inside like Batting Or should I use something else?
Thank you

this topic should give you some good suggestions http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-52969-1.htm

Check out Soft 'n Stable at byannie.com. This works greatand holds its shape

Well, I haven't made a purse, but .... my suggestion would be that a heavy-duty interfacing would be helpful (I have used some that are really stiff, like for use in corsets that would be great). If you don't have that available to you (I found some at Wal-Mart of all places!), I'd try plastic canvas that is used for needlepoint. It's flexible, but stiff enough to hold its shape. I hope these suggestions help you.

(BTW, the purse in your avatar is really cute!)

The best, least expensive stuff i've found is <Blush> Stiffy from long creek mills. It's comparable to timtex/peltex at a fraction of the cost. They usually have a link right on their home page. I buy it by the roll. They have great thread too.

i use the fusible pellon.. i just get one of the heaviest ones that they have.. my bags never collapse and i get it at joann's.

That's what I do except I only use the heavy fleece for the outside of the bag. I use the thinner FF (987F) for everything else. The thicker is too much for me to use in the handles. I can't get it sewn. My bags hold their shape really well doing this. I get the heavy at Wal-Mart for $3.97 a yard. They don't carry the thinner stuff so I have to get that at Joanns. It just went up to $4.19 a yard.

I use Decor-Bond from Wal-Mart. My bags stay upright!

I use the very stiff pellon, either fusible or plain. Also a stiff product to use is decorator craft interfacing. It's good for table runners and totes to give body but not rigid stiff.

One tip I learned in a purse making class. Fuse a thin interfacing to the fabric before using the fusible stiff interfacing. It will prevent the wrinkles and puckers you sometime get with the fusible that show up on the fabric.

I just finished a Bow Tuck bag and it called for fusible fleece on the bag and the lining fabric. So that is two layers and the bag stands up beautifully. In the bottom I covered heavy duty cardboard with matching fabric. I will advise the new owner of the bag to remove when washing.

That is what I do also. I add an extra thin layer of interfacing to the lining and also quilt my bag. It seems to give them more body and durability.

Same here. I also like fusible fleece.

I've used fusible fleece also.
As for the bottom, I use plastic canvas, one or two layers, and make a sleeve to insert them in.

Great tips!!

For the bottom of my bags I use plastic corrugated board - like the stuff signs are made of. I buy 8'x4' sheets at the Home Depot and cut several boards for storing bolts of fabric, and use the narrow leftovers for bag bottoms. I also cover them with a fabric sleeve.

I was going to suggest fusible fleece, then read all the other replies, with some great recommendations. Sewing with Nancy had a series on making all types of bags and totes, and she recommended using cotton duck, which is fairly inexpensive. I also bought plastic canvas to make some totes, as the ones I had made previously didn't stand up the way I wanted them to, plus I wanted to use something in the bottom of the bag that didn't have to be removed when the bag was washed. You got some great ideas here. Next time I've got a problem, I'm coming here for help.

I use fusible fleece on the outside of the bag and a pellon product named SF101 on the lining. It is also fusible and gives the lining the body it needs without making it heavy.

I made a Halloween Treat bag that I wanted to hold it's shape. I used fusible pellon and also sewable Heat and Bond. It was very stiff as you can see by the photo I've attached. I also sewed a separate piece for the bottom and inserted a piece of plastic placemat cut to fit. It turned out very stiff and held it's shape very well.

I used a pattern once that called for headliner foam. It is 1/8 " maybe a little less, foam with either one or both sides covered with something that looks a little like nylon tricot. It gave great body to the bag, it stood up fine and wasn't as heavy as the bag I used warm and natural cotton batting for. That is the only thing I use now, at least for bags that are supposed to stand up. I made one that was a slouch type bag with the interfacing recommended by the pattern, but only because it was supposed to collapse. You can get the headliner foam at Joann's Fabric (I usually us a coupon). I have washed my bags on gentle and dried on low in the dryer with no problems.

Someone just told me that used political lawn signs, made of corrugated plastic, make good bottoms for totes. I use Timtex (Peltex) or template plastic cut to size, but I'm going to see if I can't get one of those lawn signs from a friend who just ran for office. She lost, unfortunately!

I use the heavt weight cross stitch fabric.. and it's cheaper than alot of things too

I use the heavy weight cross stitch fabric.. and it's cheaper than alot of things too

I use pellon and quilt batting for the bag and plastic canvas for the bottom.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I am in the process of making my second bag.. I didnt want to run out to the store yesturday so I used Warm and natural and a layer of heavy weight interfacing. It already seems stiffer than the first. I am going to get some fusible pellon fleece for the next one. seems like that is the most popular.
thanks again

It looks like the Bow Tucks purse. Have made it and it stands alone with no problem but you really need to use the Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece to get it to hold its shape properly. You can find it at JoAnn's'. I, also, cut down an artist canvas to fit the bottom perfectly and covered it with fabric and it adds permanent shape to the bottom as well. You can find it at Craft 2000, Michael's, etc. and it's very inexpensive.

I am bookmarking this entire tread-what great suggestions!
thanks

A group of us made the same bag - same batting - only mine stood up, I quilted much smaller than they did. Hope this helps.

I use fusible fleece for the bags. I also buy acrylic things for the bottoms of the bag. My LQS sells several sizes. Their site is: www.myquiltedmoose.com-located in Colfax, WA.

Hi, about your purse, I use "Tim Tex", it's a very stiff material that looks like a piece of batting surface but very stiff. Can be cut very easy with Offa cutter. Most of the time I just order from on line stores. It comes by the yard an is 18" wide and costs about 5 or 6 dollars per yd. if I remember right. ( google it and price it out at different shops). Measure the bottom of your purse pattern when sewing together and cut to that measurement. I also cover it with lining fabric an sew in a grid back & forth over the top for more stiffness. Usually about 6" wide on most bags I've made. Don't bend it, and that's easy to do. When I make bags I do cut a piece of lt. weight batting the same size as the sides and use it like 1 piece, gives body to the sides. I use warm & natural batting for this. I don't use the fluffy stuff in the sides.
good luck
Shirley/Tn.

This was what I was thinking of. I haven't used it, but I saw it advertised on a blog earlier. I would like to try it!

I have heard that a layer of stiff canvas will work, (an article I read by Amy Butler) I have made many totes with this and they stand up well. Lot cheaper than Peltex or Timtex which runs $8.95 per yard and it is only 20" wide.

I was thinking the plastic canvas might work. I plan to use it in purse bottoms.

Has anyone else tried this?

I use the batting that is for pot holders (with the foil). I found I liked it by accident and find it gives a firm feel without being too stiff.

I have used both fusible pellon and that works pretty well. If you want it even stiffer, you can use peltex, but it is expensive. Best to buy it at Joann's when you have a 50% off coupon and buy a bunch of it. I also use peltex for the bottoms of my bags, where I cut two pieces the same size and fused them together with the iron and then sew back and forth in a small triangle pattern to reinforce the piece. Then I create a fabric sleeve to cover it and sew it into the bottom of te bag.

what size boards do you cut for your fabric?

Peltex works great on bag bottoms, makes them more sturdy

stiffy or Timtex would help

What a great idea.

I picked up a couple of large 'vote for me' signs after the election a couple of weeks before. Was going to get more at lunchtime but every single one had been removed! Apparently I'm not the only one who thought of this!

I also use fusible pellon on both the bag and lining fabrics and they hold up nicely.