More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

[Daniel Becker]

I made another quick tote bag in order to test flex foam (Soft and Stable by Annie). This stuff is amazing but is very $$$ for a limited amount. However, one layer is all you need to give the bag structure and loft for quilting. It even gives the bag the ability to stand up by itself. Also, it is feather light. If you noticed I used accent hardware where the handles attach to the bag (its a start). Now that I know I will like this foam product, I ordered 40 yards off Amazon. I got a generic brand - Pellon FF77 Flexfoam in two 20 yard bolts. The reviews say its the same as Soft and Stable (I hope). I do plan on doing future bags but plan on using brand name bag patterns along with making much smaller and utilitarian handbags (purses) vs. large tote bags. Also, will be using lots and lots of zippers, accent hardware and magnetic closures. I do plan on going back to quilting quilts, but for now, just want to make smaller more doable in a day type stuff that doesn't require so much fabric.

BTW, the weight of the this finished tote was so light vs. the somewhat heavy feel I usually get by having to use decobond to give the fabric stability and then use fleece for quilting. I can only hope that the Pellon Flexfoam is like Soft and Stable.

[Bubby]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Oooooh....this one turned out great!

[Carol336]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

I like it very much. I've never used the soft and stable for my bags.....is it as stiff as Bosal In-R Foam. I haven't used that for bags either, just trying to get a feel for the stiffness of soft and stable. I also need to get into using hardware for my bags...very scary for me though.

[Iris Girl]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Your bag came out very nice! I use headliner fabric from Joanns in my bags and wallets. It very reasonable when using a 50 off coupon and its wide so I get a lot from a yard.

http://www.joann.com/headliner-tan-utility-vinyl/9198672.html

[Anitamae56]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Very nice ! Love the quilting on it. Anxious to hear what you think of the Pelion FF 77 flex foam

[LynneLeavell]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

very nice. Love the colors. Now I'm anxious to use my Soft and Stable.

[seaturtle]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

That turned out great! I just did a wallet with flex-foam in the flap and I like the way it turned out. It'll be interesting to hear what you think of it.

[quiltingaway]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Your bag came out very nice! I use headliner fabric from Joanns in my bags and wallets. It very reasonable when using a 50 off coupon and its wide so I get a lot from a yard.
http://www.joann.com/headliner-tan-u...l/9198672.html

This is what I was going to suggest as well.

[Glimmer]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

I have been using Soft and Stable too. But it is kind of expensive. I got small packages of the Bosal and Flex Foam to try. I wanted to see if they have the same feel as S&S. The Bosal seems harder (but it is Fusible on both sides) than the Flex Foam and S&S. The Flex Foam seems softer than the S&S. We will see how they each make up into bags. LOL experiments!

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Yes it did! Its the FlexFoam. It gives super stability along with generous loft for quilting. This was my first time using flexfoam and I am hooked. The foam makes the bag "bloom" out and shows off the quilting due to the dense loft . Best of all, you sew through it like its butter, its very lightweight and only requires one layer. I love this stuff.

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Soft and Stable, Bosal In R Foam and Pellon FF77 flexfoam are all the same product. Its very springy and bounces back like crazy. For a simple tote bag, it gives super structure but leaves the bag very soft. As far as hardware, but just adding the D rings for the handles added a lot to over all look and worth the extra effort. All hardware can but bought in bulk on Amazon at huge discount prices. (50 1" inside diameter Drings for $9.50)

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

Thanks for that link. Headliner fabric seems like a great alternative for flexfoam. Next time I am at Joann, i will check this stuff out.

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

thanks for the feedback on Pellon and Bosal. I kinda jumped the gun when I ordered 40 yards of Pellon Flexfoam. Soft and Stable is the best, but not doable if used in bulk, due to it being too pricey. Pellon FF77 flexfoam got great reviews and comes in a 10 yard bolts, which greatly saves on cost. As long as it performs close to Soft and Stable, I will be ok (gosh, I hope so).

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

I only bought a small package of Soft and Stable at its high cost compared to Pellon, as Amazon would not deliver the Pellon FF77 flexfoam precut package to my address. I just assumed the were all basically the same stuff when I placed my order for 40 yards of the Pellon FF77. I too remain anxious after seeing some of the comments. As long as Pellon performs close to what S and S, I'll be ok with it.

If there is anyone out there who has used Pellon FF77 flexfoam, I would appreiciate any feedback.

[Daniel Becker]

Re: More stuff = and yea, another tote bag. hehe

I take it you used Pellon FF77 Flexfoam? Pellon flexfoam seems exactly the same as Soft and Stable but at a much lower cost when bought in 10 yard bolts. Have you used Pellon flexform in any type of bag, and did it perform the same way as I described the way Soft and Stable did?

Any feed back would be appreciated.