Strengthening a Bag
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 682
You could use two layers of fabric quilted with batting or fusible fleece between them. Determine the size of fabric you need. Fuse fusible fleece to one side of one piece, layer another piece of fabric on top of the fleece and stitch together in a grid pattern or just straight lines or do a free motion quilting motif on it (great way to practice free motion quilting btw). Then assemble your bag with straps as desired. Have you seen the pre-quilted fabric sold in stores? It is usually more expensive than regular cotton fabric and not in the colors you are looking for, but this is the same principle.
Can I ask what you plan to carry in your bag that you are worried about the fabric ripping? I have carried books, groceries, etc in the bags I have made with this method and not had a problem.
Can I ask what you plan to carry in your bag that you are worried about the fabric ripping? I have carried books, groceries, etc in the bags I have made with this method and not had a problem.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 1,141
When I made my tote with the pet mesh, you use it for the whole bag but piece the cotton onto it in some places, so it makes a strong bag. Here is a link that shows the supply list for it, and you can see they don't use any interfacing or batting. https://www.google.ca/search?q=tote+...TZ8GDgC-zeDGM:
#26
When making bags and purses, using the proper interfacing for your project is an important part of the construction process and can make or break the design of your bag or purse. Interfacing adds support and structure to the style of the bag, and also strengthens and stabilizes the fabric and prevents it from distorting and stretching out of shape.
There are lots of different types of interfacing available however my personal preference for bags and purses is to use fusible interfacing. Fusible interfacing is easy to use and comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and types. Depending on the type of interfacing, it will have a rough texture or shiny surface on the fusible side, and this is the side that fuses to the fabric. Most fusible interfacings are nonwoven which means they don’t have a grain and you can use them in any direction.
I purchase my fusible interfacing from "Creative Cloth.com" online, there are many different types, you will see that on their website.
There are lots of different types of interfacing available however my personal preference for bags and purses is to use fusible interfacing. Fusible interfacing is easy to use and comes in a wide variety of thicknesses and types. Depending on the type of interfacing, it will have a rough texture or shiny surface on the fusible side, and this is the side that fuses to the fabric. Most fusible interfacings are nonwoven which means they don’t have a grain and you can use them in any direction.
I purchase my fusible interfacing from "Creative Cloth.com" online, there are many different types, you will see that on their website.
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 410
You could use two layers of fabric quilted with batting or fusible fleece between them. Determine the size of fabric you need. Fuse fusible fleece to one side of one piece, layer another piece of fabric on top of the fleece and stitch together in a grid pattern or just straight lines or do a free motion quilting motif on it (great way to practice free motion quilting btw). Then assemble your bag with straps as desired. Have you seen the pre-quilted fabric sold in stores? It is usually more expensive than regular cotton fabric and not in the colors you are looking for, but this is the same principle.
Can I ask what you plan to carry in your bag that you are worried about the fabric ripping? I have carried books, groceries, etc in the bags I have made with this method and not had a problem.
Can I ask what you plan to carry in your bag that you are worried about the fabric ripping? I have carried books, groceries, etc in the bags I have made with this method and not had a problem.
I don't have a particular use for it, but I want it to be strong enough for things like books. In the past I've made it with a single layer of canvas, but a single layer of thinner cotton isn't going to do it. Something like you have here with the fleece would be better.
There are so many good ideas here that I keep changing my mind about how I'm going to do it. I'm leaning towards something like you describe here, but since I already have regular fusible interfacing, I'll probably use that instead of going out and buying the fusible fleece.
Thanks everyone for all the posts. I've learned a few things that I want to try out, and since bags go together pretty quickly and are so useful, I'll probably have a chance to even if I don't for this bag (unlike quilts where I'll never get to half the things that sound like fun).
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
this is my recent bot tuck Just Threads and modified mini Bow Tuck
#30
Pellon makes a foam that you use for bags that gives it structure without the weight. You might look the next time you are in the fabric store at the available new products by pellon. The sheet that comes with it has all the instructions on it. I bought a lot of it but haven't tried it as yet.
I usually cut my main outside fabric pieces large and quilt them with the 80/20 batting on the back before cutting them out to size. I consider the use of the bag and where the structure will have the stress and quilt accordingly to stabilize it. I sometimes only quilt to the stitching line so I can cut away the batting in the seams to reduce the bulk so I get sharp edges.
I hope this helps you. I have made many bags and each one needs it's own thought and process before making it.
The picture in my avatar is the front detail of a bag I donated to the diabetes auction in memory of my friend kitty.
I usually cut my main outside fabric pieces large and quilt them with the 80/20 batting on the back before cutting them out to size. I consider the use of the bag and where the structure will have the stress and quilt accordingly to stabilize it. I sometimes only quilt to the stitching line so I can cut away the batting in the seams to reduce the bulk so I get sharp edges.
I hope this helps you. I have made many bags and each one needs it's own thought and process before making it.
The picture in my avatar is the front detail of a bag I donated to the diabetes auction in memory of my friend kitty.
Last edited by RedGarnet222; 09-10-2017 at 08:20 AM.
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