I use the plastic sheets that you use for cross stitiching. I don't know what it is called. Joyce

You can use the plastic canvas used in cross stitch, I have my husband cut bottoms for my bags from a piece of 1/8" board. He always saves left overs as I always need something. You can also use artist canvas. I bought a large board and was able to get 3 boards out of it. Some also collect all these signs that you see around town at election time "Vote for" They make excellent bag bottoms, cut to size.

I have heard of using a light weight pexiglass - with a quilted layer of fabric around it - so you can slip it out of the bag - if you need to launder it.

Have used the plastic from notebooks my kids were done with and the plastic canvas that "mnladyus" mentioned.

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I was asked to repair a bag and the bottom of it was a piece of styrofoam covered with the same material as the bag and the cover slipped off so you could wash it. The foam was about 3/4 of an inch thick. Hope this helps.

Now we have to keep more!! I am getting afraid to throw any thing away. You have some good ideas. If you are mass producing, I would suggest card board. Kay

I use the foam(?) board used for framing. I got a pattern for a bag and it suggested it. It's the same stuff used when you take a picture in to have it professionally framed and matted. My pattern said to make a "pillow case" for it so it can be easily removed for washing. It is really strong, but at the same time very light.

I use plastic canvas for so many things I could write a book! Next to duct tape the uses are endless! Even if it gets wet it's still there and keeps its shape. It can get warped, though. You can buy double sized sheets some places too.

I use template plastic, cut to size, and covered in the same fabric as the bag lining.

I use the plastic "House for sale" signs :)

I use plastic folders or notebooks that my child used at school, so you can wash your bag, I use that for making caps too and outline for my patchwork! easy to cut.

Great ideas here and glad the question came up since I have some really pretty fabric I want to make a purse with! Just have to get motivated! Someone light a fire under me, I have touched my machine in weeks!

I use the very cheap thin floor tiles that come in packs and then have to be stuck down on the floor i.e. there is not glue on them. I round the corners and rub all of the edges down with thin emery paper. I then cover this is an envelope/pillow that is removable. Works well and can take quite a lot of weight in tote/nappy bags.

I would imagine Timtex would work as well. Our local quilt shop sell peices for this but our cuties all have such wonderful ideas for recyling things, thanks for sharing.

I use the flexible kitchen chopping board mats. They come in packs of 2 at "thing-um-me-bob' shops -bit like two dollar discount stores. A pack os 2 is around $3.00Au and you can use biro to rule straight lines, then cut with scissors to round corners etc. Then I cover them with same fabric as the lining of the bag and leave a tab piece out one side so it can be sewn into the bottom seam of the lining. It kinda acts like a flap in the bottom of the bag, but stays in place nicely. Can be lifted up to remove anything that slips underneath. This product is a bit like template plastic but maybe a little more robust. Bag can be laundered, but maybe by hand rather than machine. Works very well for me, made many bags this way. Cheers, Mufti

I picked up a bunch of cross stich plastic weave at a garage sale that I use for bottoms in bags. I also started with cardboard. Since I make garden bags I do not cover them, as its easier to just lay the liner in the grass and spray them off if needed.

I use covered Foam Board in the bottom of mine...same as Daisy. It is very light weight, yet sturdy. You can cover it the same way are already doing.;)

My Hubby works at a sign shop and they use all kinds of plastic. My favorite is about 1/8 inch thick,very strong. Most sign shops throw away loads of this stuff as scrap but it's just the size for a bag. :)

Lots of great ideas here. Thanks for asking the question. I've always used the cardboard but these other things Cuties have listed would certainly seem to hold up better.

I use a piece of vinyl cut from a vertical blind.

If the bag is on the smaller size, cut plastic 2lt or 5 lt icecream tub works great.
From Bev

I use plastic canvas like used for needle point/cross stitch - available at craft stores and in AZ USA it runs less than 50 cents a sheet.

My husband went to favorite hardware/lumber store and picked up some scrapes of 1/8 plexi glass. Also get a plexi glass cutter and make our own bottoms. Then I cover them with a fabric cover alot like pillow case. He uses a dremal to slightly round the corners and polish off the edges so they are smooth.

I've used everything from stiff cardboard, several layers and cover it like Vera Bradley bags, to the mesh stuff that is used to sew on. Again making a pocket to slip it into. This also gives me a secret compartment in the purse to keep special things out of sight.

Well I will add my two cents in on this I have used, plastic canvas, thin wood, cardboard, thick stiffener that you find next to interfacing in most stores it is about 1/8 inch thick, I cut 2 layers and make a sleeve for it and I also use 2 layers of the plastic, or 1 piece of wood. I like the plastic canvas best because you can wash it and not worry about it coming apart. sounds like we have a bunch of great ideas her, funny how our minds run together. Have a great day everybody. Beautiful weather in Alabama today, after all the storms. Still a lot of destruction around and searches going on. Pray for all the families that have losses.

Well, I didn't see anyone else suggest this....here goes...I use vinyl siding for my purse/bag bottoms. I make a cover for these as I would anything else and slip it inside. I had some scraps from when I did my garage over for my longarm and they really work great!!!! Hope this helps everyone.

Boy, am I glad you asked this! I use the plastic needlepoint canvas or timtex, but there are some great suggestions here...and a lot of it recycled stuff!! Tks, everyone!

So glad you asked this also! I just made a purse for a bingo donation and used 2 layers of a plastic folder. It was my practice run to make one for myself. But thought there should be something a bit more sturdy. I looked into buying a purse base from a company but it was $9 plus shipping. THANKS LADIES!

How about using the lid from the oval container of ice cream or the container itself. You can make a oval shape purse using this item. You could probably recycle just about anything for a bottom insert. You could go to the thrift store and pick up an old purse for just about pennies and rip it up and use the bottom.
Thanks for this question. You got me to thinking about it.
Rhoda