Firming up the Bottom of a Tote Bag

Lots of good suggestions. Thanks, y'all! I think I have been looking for something firmer, but unless I plan on carrying a 10 lb bag of potatoes, it probably doesn't need to be as firm as I had pictured. Just don't want it to bow down in the middle too easily. I thought about gluing a plastic ruler to the cardboard panel, then putting the cloth sleeve over it all.
I am making it with the plan of carrying it when I go to the Paducah quilt show, so if you see a frumpy old lady with a tote made of Notting Hill charms, it's me! (Audacious of me, I know, to carry my rustic and amateurish tote to a world class quilt show, so I may find an excuse not to do it.)

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

How about Peltex? It is fabric, you can sew it into the bottom of your purse and is stiff but flexible. It comes in black and white.

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I often use Peltex. If you don't care to sew into the bag, you can make a small pillowcase and slip two layers of Peltex inside for support.

Yep, make a sleeve and slip either a piece of plexiglass or old cutting mat inside. Works great!

Carry your newly made tote to the show. Don't worry about your it not being "professionally" sewn. I always ask someone 'bout their purse or tote. Saw one or two backpacks as well. We can't ALL be "professional". So I say make it & tote it. Show us a picture.

Gina

If you don't want it to bend at all, I would second the suggestion of plexiglass, or suggest masonite. Both of those you could put inside a removable sleeve for washing. You could check with a glass shop or a lumber yard for possible scraps that would be available for cheap. If needed they might even cut them to size for you.

Nancy

I've had success with the foamcore cut to size and then made a little pillow case to slip it into.

I have used an old, warped cutting mat on a few bags, just covered it with coordinating fabric and slipped in in, can be removed to wash if need be.

I asked nicely at the LQS if I could have one of their used bolts that had fabric on it. They gave me a few. Just cut them to size and make like a little pillow case for it. I closed the end with Velcro so I could remove the bolt for washing. It worked great!! Have fun at Paducah and take your tote, way better than messing around with a purse. You will be surprised at how many questions about your tote you get.

I used plexiglass in one I made and didn't care for it. To solid. Every door it bumped into as I was opening them made a loud thud. You want something firmer but not solid like wood or the plexiglass.

That's all I need is something else on me making noise.:icon_rolleyes: