No....I am not referring to my pants! I am refferring to the bottoms of bags! What happens if we don't give our baggy bottoms some reinforcement? Well....for starters, they just don't look good!

Who likes the look of a bottom that is saggy and out of shape? BUT not only do they fail to impress in the looks department, they will also fail the test of time! It is essential to give your bottoms the support they deserve...otherwise your bags just won't be able to hold up to all the things you put in there!

Just how do we avoid saggy baggy bottoms? Eeek....it isn't a very nice look when the bottom isn't supported and it just hangs there looking mighty sad with all your goodies prodruding! Well....it is something that I get asked too many times to count ....... "What can I use for my bags bottom?"

The truth is that there are loads of options available to you and your choices are many! Of course it will depend on your bags design and just how much support you are seeking and wether you wish to improvise or upcycle and perhaps save a few bucks and the environment.....

Some of the things I use are: 

Peltex. (Or Fast2Fuse!) You can get Peltex either as a sew-in or fusible. It is a firm stabilser which has plenty of uses in bags...one of which is for bases. 

 

I like to use either the sew-in or fusible and for extra support, use two layers! If you use the sew-in version, a great way to keep your peltex from moving about is to quilt it to the bottom of your bag like I have done on Genevieve:

I got this idea from Maria of Mia Creates As I have mentioned before, Maria does the most amazing work you ever did see and so any idea of Maria's is bound to work a treat! LOL And this one really does! Often when you are turning your bag, if you have just fused the peltex to your bottom, it will come off. Use the quilting method and your base stays put, for good!

You can also hold it in place using purse feet, like this:

 

Particularly handy for boxed bottomed bags is to wrap the Peltex in fusible interfacing, fuse to peltex, leaving a small amount each end which you sew onto your bags seams to hold in place:

 

 

Another product I use often is 7Mesh Plastic Canvas:

 

You can attach it with bag feet or make a simple sleeve to put it and just pop into the bottom of your bag.

Some people use heavy cardboard in a sleeve so it can be removed for washing as of course, cardboard cannot get wet.....Another option is MDF, plywood or masonite for a really firm bag base that won't bend!

Template Plastic is also another option. Where I live, it costs about A$2.50 for a sheet of Template Plastic BUT today I was shopping for groceries at Aldi's and they had plastic cutting mats which were thin and flexible just like the Template Plastic, only it was a pack of 6 sheets for A$5.00 and about the same size as the Template Plastic....what a great deal! LOL

 

Other ideas are foam core poster board available from art supply shops, Hobby Lobby or even the dollar store. Try mat board scraps from a picture framing business, left over corrugated plastic from sign shops (The stuff used for Real Estate signs etc!), floor vinyl, laminate or even platsic placemats!

Peel & stick floor tiles, plexiglass and I've even heard some people use the vinyl strips from vertical blinds! Again just make a simple sleeve to put your bottom in! Whatever you use, just remember to round off the corners so they won't poke a hole in your sleeve!

Do you have a favourite source for baggy bottoms? Please DO share in the comment section below! :)

Happy bag making,