I'm still trying to find the perfect inserted bottom - perhaps another trip to Hobby Lobby or Home Depot. I did purchase a "Yard Sale" sign on a stick, for one dollar, for and that was good enuf for 2 totes bottoms, but still could use something more sturdy. The tote is squared off nicely and will hold a lot of something. There is little planning to the pieced panel. I just kept moving bits around until it looked kinda balanced. This one had the panel, batting, backing and a lining. The quilting is casual straight-line sewing with a walking foot.
It's fun to try new things!
An old ratty cutting mat can be cut down with scissors to fit as a bottom of a bag.
ReplyDeleteThere’s a plastic canvas you can make things like coasters from with yarn/cross stitch. It’s pretty sturdy. Good luck with your search and let us know what you find.
ReplyDeleteThis was just mentioned, but I have used a piece of plastic canvas and made an envelope of fabric (sewn shut) to put in the bottom of the bag. Just set it in there. If it is fabric-covered, it won’t show up much. Just check occasionally for things that slid under it.
ReplyDeleteFor a really sturdy bag bottom, try using these Artist Canvas boards:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.michaels.com/canvas-panel-valuepk-by-artists-loft-necessities/M10226520.html?dwvar_M10226520_count=5
They're thick so you'll need a sharp X-acto knife to cut them to size and it may take a few passes to cut through. I put one in the bottom of the bag I made to carry my Featherweight which works well.
Another great looking bag. And it appears that you have received some good suggestions for a sturdy bottom (makes me laugh a little just typing those words). :)
ReplyDeleteI like the orphan-block tote design! For the bottom -- try a campaign sign. I think you'll find that that corrugated plastic is heavier than the dollar-store yard sale sign you used. April 6 is election day in Illinois (school boards, library boards, municipal boards, etc.) so campaign signs are all over the place here.
ReplyDelete