Bag assembly question

[diagonalman]

I have a question that hard to search for...

If you have a square bottom bag, but want to make the bottom VERY rigid, what do you use?

Cardboard? Plastic? Something else? Something that you can install little bag 'feet' onto?

You know how, sometimes, in overnight bags, there's an extra removable piece on the the bottom that feels like it might be cardboard sewn into the matching lining materials? What is that?

Thanks!
DM

[beccola]

I've used a piece of cardboard I cut out of a shoebox to match the shape of the bottom of the bag.  I inserted it between the lining and the outer fabric just before stitching the lining shut.  The downside to that is that the bag isn't washable (but, frankly, I never wash my bags).  I have a Vera Bradley bag that has a piece of cardboard covered in the outer fabric that is removable for washing, so that's another idea.

Hope that helps.  Good luck!

[starlene]

Here are some ideas:

Interfacing / fusible fleece/ fusi-shade/ extra layer of fabric(interlining) / plastic or cardboard insert covered in lining

or do all of the above, you can also edge stitch around the edges, very hard to do depending on how many layers you have.

I use them all.

[qazicat]

I use mat board (heavy cardboard used by framers around pictures) sewn into the lining of the bottom of my bags.  If the bag is not small,  and it will carry a lot of things, then I will use 2 or 3 layers of mat board.

[perilously_divine]

your are not suppose to put your questions in the completed project:General.  Put them in Discussions and Qustions.  By doing that it keeps everything organized for the Admin

sorry for sounding like a bitch, but once you know it usually doesnt occur again

[pibbgirl]

My last bag I made I wasn't able to use interfacing because of an iron on I put on it, so I ended up using cardboard from an old cerial box in the bottom to give it some shape.  I just cut it to the shape of the bottom and sewed a little 'pillowcase' of the same fabric from the lining to go over it.  Then I just set it in the bottom of the bag and it could be removed for washing fo the bag.  Or, as my sister pointed out when I gave the bag to her, it could be replaced if the bag ever gets wet and the cardboard is soggy.    Her friend had recently spilled an entire bottle of diet coke into her purse...

[designerdiva]

I've used cardboard works but I've also used plastic canvas needle point mesh so the bag is washable too. Its not as stiff as cardboard but I find it works well.  It runs about .75 cent a sheet.