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How to reinforce the bottom of a bag

August 21, 2022 4 Comments

Have you seen my latest pouch and bag patterns?
In spite of the sophisticated look, these are not hard to sew patterns and actually, there are not too many steps involved!

Sophisticated bag patternThe bag pattern includes instructions on how to add a stiff bottom insert to the bag- very easy…

You can reinforce the bottom of a bag in other ways as well, here is what else I made for this pattern- I did all the job on the exterior side of the bag.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bagIt is not only functional, but it also adds a beautiful detail to the design.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bagYou need a piece of STIFF interfacing  (like Decovil Heavy or Pellon Peltex or Fast2Fuse) in the size of the FINAL size of the bottom of your bag. You need to keep this interfacing out of the subsequent seams you need to sew.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bagYou need to cover the interfacing with a piece of fabric 3/4” bigger than the interfacing, if you use 3/8” seam allowances for your bag.
Center the interfacing on the back of  your fabric. I used faux leather because my bag is made out of faux leather but you can use it even on bags made out of canvas or other cotton fabrics.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bag

Place double adhesive tape on the long edges of faux leather.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bag

Remove the paper backing and tape the long edges of the faux leather to the interfacing.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bag

Add again double adhesive tape along the long edges of the piece.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bag

Remove the paper backing.
Tape the interfaced piece on the center of your bag panel.  Topstitch close to the long edges of the added faux leather piece (see the green marking lines).
Then finish your bag as usual.

How to reinforce the bottom of a bagAll the measurements are included in the pattern, but as I said, now that you understand this technique, you can use it on many bag designs.
All you need to keep in mind is that the interfacing must be kept out of seams and try to add as less bulk as possible to your seams.
The measurements are important too!

How to reinforce the bottom of a bagDoes this make sense? I hope so, I think I will make a tutorial for a regular bag design too!

If you want to stitch bags like this one, check out my
Raphaela and Blache pattern here!

Happy sewing!

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Filed Under: bag patterns, bag tutorials, handmade bags

Comments

  1. Angelika Gryschkewitz says

    August 23, 2022 at 8:06 am

    Hallo Greta Ich liebe Deine Arbeiten. Woher hast Du die tollen Stoffe?

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      August 23, 2022 at 10:50 am

      I buy faux leather from https://takoy.ro/
      They ship from Slovakia, probably in the entire Europe.

      On Etsy you can also find faux leather, even in German shops.

      Reply
  2. Pattie Fietz says

    January 23, 2024 at 1:59 pm

    I like to work with cork “fabric.” Can cork be used instead of faux leather? These patterns look really nice and I know that your patterns are always detailed and easy to follow. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      January 23, 2024 at 3:46 pm

      I have never used cork, but, yes, the pattern should work with cork as well.

      Reply

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