I just love those Vera Bradley bags, but I want to make my own. What do you think I could use to make my own bags stiff enough? What kind of batting or stabilizer or inner lining could I use with a raggy bag? Plastic mesh? I want it to stand on its own - a tote bag size. Thanks and hugs, Jan

They are very good, Jan. I've seen some called 'Smart Bags' and various others over the years, with interchangeable covers. I fancy doing one sometime too. I'd imagine how much stiffness you'd need might depend a bit on what fabric you make the actual bag from. I mostly use thermal curtain fabric for my bags, so they wouldn't need much more to stand up alone :)

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

Wow, I hadn't thought of thermal curtain fabric! thanks

Now that I have looked some of these designs over - I wanted to share this set with you - it is called The Chameleon Bag - you have a basic black bag and you dress it up for day time use or night time use - or you have a bag that you like for day night time - but you dress it up for day time. Hehehe!

You see it has it's onw little dress up - that you put on it - each day - depending on your mood. Hehehe!

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by pennifold 10 Jun 2012

This is beautiful Shirlene - I love them. Love Chris

by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

That IS really cool! You can change it anyway you like! And keep it clean too!

I almost bet with this design set - you get instructions on what to put inside to make this bad sturdy. What do you think?

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

I need to find out what they recommend without buying the set! I'll bet I can find out on-line, don't you :-) I am way out of touch on what is available - that's what I'm learning!

I like all the suggestions - you would have to make one or two and see how they stand up for you - then make a decision - if that is what you want or something else. I have used kids craft foam inside a couple bags - because that was all I had on hand and it worked nicely for me.

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by cfidl 10 Jun 2012

so did you stitch the foam in?

by shirlener88 10 Jun 2012

yes - I did - it is part of each and every bag.

by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

These are great! Where do you get kids craft foam. I've never heard of it!

WonderUnder did have a very heavy fusible web that would work well with this but I don't know if they still make it. Guess you could check out your favorite fabric center.

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

I think I need to start there and see what all is available. I'm way behind on what they have!

Here is the link for the small clutch and they have almost 2,000 totes. I like their style! LLDS!

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

They have some really nice clutch purses and what style!

My daughter likes those bags also. I never did look closely at their construction. I am a leather girl my self. Kay

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

Bags are such a big thing - lots of options :-)

There is heavy peltex is what I call it, or if your pattern is dense like the fabulous clutch from Astitchahalf, I used high loft polyfill and it crushed down to a soft stiff version that I think is perfect for totes! I will look for the link. LLDS!

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by hightechgrammy 10 Jun 2012

Thanks, I think when you do lots of stitches on high loft, you are going to get stiff, no matter what. I need to do some experimenting :-)