Quilted Purses
 

Lately I have been trying my hand at making quilted purses and have come across some great patterns. My only challenge is something to insert for the shape of the purse to make it more sturdy so it does not collapse. Has any one ever tried cardstock paper; all suggestions welcome ........Thanks

Some bags that I've had, had cardboard in the bottom. Some had iron-on heavy weight interfacing, but those shrunk, leaving a buckled appearance. (I suspect the fabric wasn't prewashed.)

Other things to try include template plastic, or plastic canvas, either of which could be covered in fabric.

All of these choices except the cardboard and your cardstock paper are washable. Cardstock wouldn't add much structure.

I'm thinking of bottom stabilization. If you want overall stabilization, I'd use the weight of interfacing that seems right to you, probably medium to heavy. It could be sew in or iron on.

I use peltex 70 extra firm stabilizer by pellon.

For sturdier sides, there is a product out there that is like the headliner stuff in the interior of your car. I am not at home right now to look at the name on the pkg but will check later for you. It is very nice...your bag will have a nice 'feel' to it...kind of similar to what is used in Vera Bradley handbags. You can get it at your LQS.

For sturdy bottoms, I have used foam presentation board or even cardboard from boxes of athletic shoes. Make a little fabric sleeve to slip it in and nobody knows. Easily replaced, too.

I like to use plastic canvas that you can do needlepoint. Cheap, easy to find, and it can be washed. Since it is perforated, it is breathable like fabric. I also use TimTex and Buckram, but really like the plastic canvas better.

I use Soft & Stable http://www.byannie.com/

Soft and Stable works good

I prefer using uphostery fabric or heavy drapery fabric. Holds up so much better and there are tons of fabric available. My friend made me a small tote purse and she used some really heavyduty iron on interfacing from Joann's. I think it cost $10.00 a yard but it is great.

Go to your local sign shop and ask if they have a scrap/misprint bin. Depending on who's at the counter I sometimes get stuff for free, but even if I have to pay something, it's a small amount. The sign material can be used for bottoms. I have used the thin stuff in the sides, but you can't sew thru it so it took some planning. You don't want to use cardstock because it will just crease and fail.

Myself, I wash purses, so cardstock wouldn't work for me. And I'm not a fan of plastic canvas, either, since it can crack.

My favorite is Pellon Craft backing. Don't do this with your outer piece of fabric, but an inner lining with two or three layers of craft backing holds a shape fairly well.

i am with wanabee ---i use uphostery fabric ...it is rather cheap and only have to use one layer there is a few local places where we can get it for 5.99 a yard ----and can put anything on the outside ....

I have a lot of Vera Bradley quilted purses. They are soft sided and never collapse. I have always wondered about how they are made to be that way. I guess the construction and details make the difference.

so do i :)

I use the plastic needlework for the bottom and I have successfully used the painters canvas tarps from Harbor Freight as a layer between fabric and lining, One of those is huge and can make many purses.

I have just started using Soft and Stable. I love the firmness it gives the sides and it is easy to work with. Now I would never make a bag without using it. My LQS has it in both black and white.

I have used fabric covered heavy cardboard..I have also used fabric covered plastic canvas if I want it washable

I love soft and stable also. Works great.

I generally use the grid plastic that people embroider onto.

I like to make purses and usually use the plastic canvas but am going to try some of the suggestions made. Thanks!

For the bottom of the purse I use a heavy mat board from the art department at Hobby Lobby. Of course I make a cover for it, and it holds up very well. As for the body of the purse, I am not familiar with some of the extra heavy duty liners. I have used the heavy weight fusibles and also the sew in kind.

I have used vinyl siding. Find a house where the siding is being replaced and most workman are happy to have you pick up the scraps. I round the corners after I cut the size I need and cover with the purse or tote bag fabric.

Check out the product called Soft and Stable. I love it for bags.

I love using Soft & Stable, for all my purses now. However, I just made several 6- Pocket Hipsters, were I used a double sided fusible called Inn Control Plus. These two products are almost identical......and "dreams" to sew with.They are the same cost, and both are available in white or black.The end product is truly enhanced when you use either of these products

I like Timex.

You're my kind of person. I love using scraps and leftovers, just to make less waste in this world. We need to think about how much waste we make. I just had my 100 year old garage re-roofed with metal. I told the workers (Amish) to use whatever color they had left over from other jobs. The front needed to be sort of matched, but the back could be anything. They did a beautiful job. Looks like a jelly roll quilt! ! !

I also use car headliner as the stabilizer for the side of my bags. I recently found a light weight wood at the craft store. Thought, it covered with, fabric would be great for the bottom. Hubby also suggested an aluminum or Fiberglas ( such as the above mentioned vinyl siding) as a sturdy bottom.

I use plastic canvas as well.

I use heavy iron on interfacing..I find it works best for me..

When I get pictures framed I ask for the piece they cut out - I've paid for it anyway - and use those as bag bottoms. Also I've used the premade bottoms I found at a quilt show. I have seen plexiglass ones, but haven't used them. I'll bet the home store could cut them for you.

I'm cheap and I recycle . Buy my salad greens in a plastic bin like container. Cutting out the bottom is quite usable for some purse bottoms naturally covered by fabric but it is clear then easily removed for washing--great for big tote bags. For more fancy purses "Decor Bond" is one product I've used as it is stiff. Variety of ideas fo you

I've had great luck using plastic canvas for the bottoms of purses - it's stable, and washable. I use a layer of batting on both sides, then cut and stitch a "cover" to put over the canvas and batting, then whipstitch closed. I can even use the machine to stitch around all 4 sides without a problem, as I think it makes it look more professional.

Soft and Stable is what you need.

Try going to the MaryMaxim.com and check out their catalog. They sell solid removeable plastic purse liners in several sizes. Also sold in their stores if you are located near one.:):):):)

I've made 4 quilted purses and I just prepare the sandwich as I would for a bed quilt and then sew following the pattern. All of the purses maintain their shape.

I go to my Ace Hardware and purchase a thin craft board. I bring it home and cut it to fit the bottom of the purse. I round off the corners of the board and make a pillowcase about two inches longer than the board so may be folded under the board. This works great for me. I found that foam board and plastic canvas still bow and are not much support.

The tote bags I make are usually from drapery or upholstery fabric. I tend to use some of those "why did I buy this" fabrics as the linings. In most cases there is no need for additional stiffness.
The very large one I made from regular quilting cotton would have been much better with either a fairly stiff Pellon or a fusible like Craft Bond inside.

My DM's many denim and home dec fabric purses had a sleeve in the bottom. She had local lumber yard cut pieces of formica to fit. They are slipped out to launder.

Don't use paper you can't wash it then! I agree with others needpoint canvas is cheap and works great. Also Iron in pelon or use upolstry fabric it's thicker!

I go to my lumber yard and ask them to cut the size I want from lightweight plexiglass. I ask them to round the corners and some will and some won't. If they don't I bring them home and use my husbands grinding wheel on them.

I use soft and stable with peltex. For my bottom insert I use old cutting Matt. It is already measured easy to cut and firm enough .. For more firmness just tape two layers together. Wrap in light batting. That is applied with double stick tape. One old cutting Matt makes many purses and totes. I am still using up a 36 by59 that I bought years ago.