My Favorite Interfacings for Bag Making

Today we are talking about interfacing for bag making. There are several choices for foam interfacing used to give a bag its shape. We also discuss fusible interfacings for the lining of your bags.

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[marleneclausen]

By Annie Soft & Stable comes in black and white. It is clingy and you don't need to quilt it to attach it to the outer fabric. This is a nice option. I buy Soft & Stable in the largest size. If you open the bag and undo it, it will relax and any folds that came from being in the bag disappears. That of course requires some extra room to store it. Well worth it if you can. As you mentioned, it depends on the style of bag, but for "fashion" bags as opposed to totes and shopping bags, I have come to use Soft and Stable exclusively. It is wonderful in Lazy Girl Design bags. Pellon SF101 is definitely my goto for lining, pockets, etc. One tip, if you want to use a fusible batting for a slouchy bag or shopping bag, you can make your own. If you are a quilter as I am, I always have a lot of batting scraps around; but, they are not fusible. Just cut a piece of Pellon Wonder Under the size of your batting and fuse it to batting scraps.Voila!! Fusible batting. I buy Wonder Under by the bolt (just like SF101) when there are 50% off or more sales.

[Jo-yfvb]

This was very helpful, as well as a couple of comments. Thank you❣️

[VicLynn]

I would suggest that a person try a few times with the fusible. After a little practice, there is no better look to the finished Tote, purse, etc. And quilting is never needed but does beautifully with this method. I have made many totes this way, for years and practice is the key. Even though it's scary at first, you quickly get used to handling it. Maybe this will encourage people to try it.

[Zephulastar]

Thanks for the info! Great description.

[janetbaba]

Great video. Really helpful in clarifying the sometimes confusing world of bag interfacing. Thank you. Look forward to watching your By Annie Get Out of Town video as well because it is my next project

[cutflower]

hi im want to make a denim bag i saw on youtube, it said to use polyester interfacing, but no number or brand was given, it looks like make be 1/4 thickness, and she sprayed adhesive. Do you know any good recommendations? i asked her, but no response.

[arzinaalani]

Loved your video. I was wondering if you have worked with craft fuse by Pelion. Any information on your experience with this interfacing as far as bags are concerned would be most appreciated

[gerandgadantzing]

Unfortunately she didn’t differentiate between which have 1-sided fusing, 2sided fusing (Bosal In-R-Foam Plus is 2 Sided! And that’s the 2nd one she presents, u can read it on the label!)

[patcollier]

great video how can you get discount coupons for interfacings

[lasinmt]

Just what I was asking today. I've made many bags mostly utilitarian with mainly pack fabrics of every kind utilized. So I decided to make a YARN bag for a friend. My own design as my usual when an idea pops into my head. So what's been tripping me up from moving forward after making the cording & cutting out the basic fabrics is I do need it to be a stand up bag. And it also needs to have 6-8 grommets set around the upper 1/3 of the bag to allow yarns to come out of each. I count base fabric side and front as 2 layers, pockets with lining 4 more layers, vinyl cording another 2. My machine is known to handle thick heavy fabrics so far I'm good. But never having used the foam or bag stiffeners to stabilize the sides to insure it stands up? That will add yet two more layers. UNLESS I've seen several bag makers demonstrate cutting the fusible stabilizer foam out that's one sided but cutting it smaller than the width of the machine foot and using either a narrow machine foot or even the zipper foot right up to the stabilizer to help reduce thickness and still get great results. Never having done that I'm not sure it'll look good all the seams. I intend to have a loose lining so it won't be constructed into the main fabric of the bags only attached at t he very top. And of course when the grommets are set that will also secure the lining further to the bag. I also would like to do a double pocket on front side of bag adding yet another single layer to each of the side seams. I'm not so much worried about the fabric puckering if using fusible and plan to use just one side fusible not double. again not seating the bag lining to the bag in that way. I made similar cordura large tote and dual rucksack utilizing the shoulder straps into hidden corner D rings and middle at top D ring if need be as a wedding gift that wrapped the missionary couples gifts instead of spending money on fancy wrapping paper etc. I did the math and the cost of the gift wrappings and all it's trappings would cost about what it would to make the very pretty light blue tote with 5 pockets. And interior pockets. Was beautiful when complete. I was asked by several other people to please make them one. I don't make patterns I tend to sew what ever pattern if any as I go along. In the end I quickly forget what size a bag was or what how in their case I installed a hidden bottom zippered compartment into the outside of the bag. No idea to this day. The bag pretty much stood on it's own due to the stiffness of the cordura pack cloth. But not all pack cloth is stiff it varies a lot even cordura in the same weight can vary and if it's washed can loose it's ability to stand up. Cording will help. As far as zippers go I intend to use the fabric tabs on the ends to help reduce the problem of sewing over them in already over layered side seams. I think it's coming down to my making a smaller trial run more simple bag to see how the addition of pellon or similar media works with cut slightly shorter than the seam itself and of course fusing the one side. I just would prefer not having to experiment. Then again due to the pandemic I had trouble getting all the right fabrics and materials together and I ended up with smaller yardages and now have those odds and ends in pink to do something with. And my usual circle of friends and family members none are into PINK. I'm an anything brown and green person. Fingers crossed I start construction tomorrow.

[KarenPalmer-hfwc]

I am making a bag, and it has a drop in lining, and my question is I have the Flex Foam 1 sided fusible...can you fuse the cut piece to your fabric, and then cut out your piece so that you don't have to cut twice (fabric and then the flex foam)? I want to make sure both pieces are even, and not crooked as sometimes the cut can be off a little bit on either piece. I also have to cut 2" squares at the bottom sides of the front and back of the bag. I noticed you only made referrence to birthing a bag, and not anything about a drop in lining, so that is why I'm asking. Thank you!

[Oontaka]

I've done a Sew Sweetness bag that uses fusible foam (Bosel). I've never encountered any problems with wrinkling as you mention when "birthing the bag." I simply iron the bag when it's complete and it looks great.

[sharonarmstrong]

When using the non fusible foam, how do you attach it to the fabric?

[laceysaxon]

i started making jean Totes that are 15" X 15" (4 panels on each side to make ht e15 by 15) and I was using extra firm 809. That doesn't seem to be what I should be using and I do want it stiffer. Which one for jean tote would you suggest? and would you make the interfacing the same size as fabric so it is in the seam allowance? I will definitely use the SF101 for the lining

[pamkrebes]

Very nice content I learned alot just getting into bab making thank you

[socalgal]

If I quilt the pattern with the sew in foam how much will the fabric shrink from the original cut? When I embroider on quilt squares I typically see a loss of 1/4 inch on all sides.

[debrawelch]

I just bought that pattern, “GET OUUT OF TOWN DUFFLE 2.0” and am lost with the directions. Do you have a video available on the instructions to sew this pattern. Please I need help.
Debbie

[phyllisburke]

If you have fusible can you just sew it in?

[papercents]

Hey, I'm a "bag lady" too - Sew Sweetness patterns are great; yes, a lot of birthing of bags! Sew in foam is my favorite. I had used one of the fusible foam products and after total completion I went to put a few finishing ironing touches on the exterior of the bag & doggone, I got a wrinkle where the fused foam shifted. So from then on I've been a sew in foam gal only.
I know you said you're ironing the foam to remove the folds; I found if I hover my iron with plenty of steam going that it really helps, almost like it's rehydrating the foam (tip from Crafty Gemini and it really helps). Look forward to your how to sew the By Annie's duffle. Thank you for a great video!

[GrammaPatriot]

Does the sew in foam separate from the fabric? I dont understand how the foam stays put if its not fused in? 😳