A Tale of Two Totes | A Bag Stabiliser Guide
Why Does My Bag Stand Up and Yours Flop?
A funny thing happens in sewing.
Two people can use the exact same pattern, the exact same fabric and even the exact same zipper.
Yet somehow, one finished bag stands proudly on the table looking ready for adventure, while the other quietly collapses into a fabric puddle the moment you put it down.
So what’s the secret?
Usually, it isn’t the pattern.
It’s what’s hiding inside.
A bag isn’t simply fabric and a zipper. Think of it as a fabric sandwich — and the filling you choose can completely change how the finished bag looks, feels and behaves.
When I’m choosing what to put inside a bag, I generally think about three main suspects: batting, fusible fleece and foam stabiliser.
Each has its place. The trick is knowing which one suits the bag you’re making.
For some of my samples, I used Waterholes Kuukill and Shadow Play Classic Red, together with the Patchwork Paths Bag Pattern.
Suspect #1: Batting
Batting is wonderful, but it is important to understand what it does — and what it doesn’t do.
Batting gives softness, loft and that lovely quilted feel we all know. It is ideal when you want your project to have some body while still remaining flexible.
Batting is great for:
- Quilts
- Table runners
- Quilted projects
- Some softer bags
- Medium-sized bags with boxed corners
When batting is quilted, it gives a lovely soft finish and allows a table runner or quilt to sit nicely across a surface. In a bag, however, batting generally gives you softness rather than firm structure.
So if you are hoping your finished bag will stand at attention like a little soldier, batting probably isn’t going to be your first choice.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in bags. You certainly can. I simply tend to keep it for softer or medium-sized bags, particularly designs with boxed corners or quilting that adds a little extra stability.
Suspect #2: Fusible Fleece
Now we move into the middle ground.
Fusible fleece adds more body than ordinary batting while still remaining relatively soft and flexible.
It is a very useful choice when you want a bag or pouch to feel substantial without becoming stiff.
Fusible fleece is particularly good for:
- Cosmetic bags
- Zipper pouches
- Project bags
- Small organisers
- Soft-sided bags
I think of fusible fleece as the option for a bag that says: “I’m organised.” But doesn’t feel the need to shout about it.
Because the fleece is fusible, it can also make construction easier. Once it has been correctly fused to the fabric, the layers stay together while you sew.
A good example is Pellon 987FP Fusible Fleece. It gives the project body and cushioning without the firmness of foam. The finished result has more body than batting alone but still has a soft feel in the hand.
Suspect #3: Foam Stabiliser
Now we’re talking!
This is where bags start standing up on their own. Foam stabiliser is often the secret ingredient behind those gorgeous, professional-looking bags we all admire.
Foam stabiliser is ideal for:
- Tote bags
- Retreat bags
- Travel bags
- Larger project bags
- Bags that need to hold their shape
- Designs where a professional structured finish is important
This is where bags really begin to stand up on their own.
For some of my samples, I used fabrics from the Shibori and Kamakura Sisters ranges.
There are several very good foam stabilisers available, and the one you choose will depend on the feel and structure you want in the finished bag.
Pellon Flex-Foam Fusible – One Sided is a useful choice when you want the convenience of a fusible foam with plenty of structure.
Bosal In-R-Form Plus Double-Sided Fusible Foam Stabiliser gives excellent structure and has the added convenience of being fusible on both sides.
Soft and Stable White is another favourite for bag making and gives bags excellent body while remaining easy to sew.
They all perform the same broad job — adding structure — but there are differences in fusibility, thickness and feel. Which one you choose will depend on how you want the finished bag to behave.
Batting vs Fusible Fleece vs Foam Stabiliser
If you are standing at your cutting table wondering which one to use, this is the simplest way I think about it:
Batting = soft
Choose batting when you want softness, quilting and gentle body.
Fusible fleece = medium structure
Choose fusible fleece when you want more substance than batting but still want your project to remain flexible.
Foam stabiliser = strong structure
Choose foam when you want your bag to hold its shape and stand up properly.
Of course, bag making is never quite as simple as a rule book.
The size of the bag, the type of fabric, how heavily it is quilted and even the number of pockets can all affect the finished result.
But choosing the right layer inside your bag is one of the biggest decisions you can make.
Before You Start Your Next Bag
Before cutting your stabiliser, ask yourself one question:
How do I want this bag to behave when it is finished?
Do I want it soft and squashy?
Do I want some body but still plenty of flexibility?
Or do I want it sitting proudly on the table, holding its shape all by itself?
Once you know the answer, choosing between batting, fusible fleece and foam becomes much easier.
And sometimes that little decision hidden between two pieces of fabric is the difference between:
“That’s a nice bag.”
and
“How did you get your bag to stand up like that?”
And Then There’s Lucy…
Before I go, I asked Lucy to help me choose which bag should carry her precious chicken jerky treats on our walks.
It seemed like a simple enough job.
Well…
Three bags later, not a single decision had been made.
Instead, I received what Border Collie owners everywhere know only too well:
The Collie Stare.
That intense look that says:
“I am thinking very hard about this. Extremely hard. Please do not interrupt the decision-making process.”
Five minutes later she was still staring.
At the bags.
At me.
Back at the bags.
Still no decision.
So if you’ve ever shared your life with a Border Collie, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
They may be brilliant, but sometimes they can overthink a biscuit.
Until next time, may your seams be straight, your bags stand proudly and your fabric choices be easier than Lucy’s bag choices.
Take care,
Carrie & Lucy 🐾🧵
What Do You Think?
We would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, experiences, questions or tips with other readers of the Everything Fabric Blog.
A funny thing happens in sewing.
Two people can use the exact same pattern, the exact same fabric and even the exact same zipper.
Yet somehow, one finished bag stands proudly on the table looking ready for adventure, while the other quietly collapses into a fabric puddle the moment you put it down.
So what’s the secret?
Usually, it isn’t the pattern.
It’s what’s hiding inside.
A bag isn’t simply fabric and a zipper. Think of it as a fabric sandwich — and the filling you choose can completely change how the finished bag looks, feels and behaves.
When I’m choosing what to put inside a bag, I generally think about three main suspects: batting, fusible fleece and foam stabiliser.
Each has its place. The trick is knowing which one suits the bag you’re making.
For some of my samples, I used Waterholes Kuukill and Shadow Play Classic Red, together with the Patchwork Paths Bag Pattern.
Suspect #1: Batting
Batting is wonderful, but it is important to understand what it does — and what it doesn’t do.
Batting gives softness, loft and that lovely quilted feel we all know. It is ideal when you want your project to have some body while still remaining flexible.
Batting is great for:
- Quilts
- Table runners
- Quilted projects
- Some softer bags
- Medium-sized bags with boxed corners
When batting is quilted, it gives a lovely soft finish and allows a table runner or quilt to sit nicely across a surface. In a bag, however, batting generally gives you softness rather than firm structure.
So if you are hoping your finished bag will stand at attention like a little soldier, batting probably isn’t going to be your first choice.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in bags. You certainly can. I simply tend to keep it for softer or medium-sized bags, particularly designs with boxed corners or quilting that adds a little extra stability.
Suspect #2: Fusible Fleece
Now we move into the middle ground.
Fusible fleece adds more body than ordinary batting while still remaining relatively soft and flexible.
It is a very useful choice when you want a bag or pouch to feel substantial without becoming stiff.
Fusible fleece is particularly good for:
- Cosmetic bags
- Zipper pouches
- Project bags
- Small organisers
- Soft-sided bags
I think of fusible fleece as the option for a bag that says: “I’m organised.” But doesn’t feel the need to shout about it.
Because the fleece is fusible, it can also make construction easier. Once it has been correctly fused to the fabric, the layers stay together while you sew.
A good example is Pellon 987FP Fusible Fleece. It gives the project body and cushioning without the firmness of foam. The finished result has more body than batting alone but still has a soft feel in the hand.
Suspect #3: Foam Stabiliser
Now we’re talking!
This is where bags start standing up on their own. Foam stabiliser is often the secret ingredient behind those gorgeous, professional-looking bags we all admire.
Foam stabiliser is ideal for:
- Tote bags
- Retreat bags
- Travel bags
- Larger project bags
- Bags that need to hold their shape
- Designs where a professional structured finish is important
This is where bags really begin to stand up on their own.
For some of my samples, I used fabrics from the Shibori and Kamakura Sisters ranges.
There are several very good foam stabilisers available, and the one you choose will depend on the feel and structure you want in the finished bag.
Pellon Flex-Foam Fusible – One Sided is a useful choice when you want the convenience of a fusible foam with plenty of structure.
Bosal In-R-Form Plus Double-Sided Fusible Foam Stabiliser gives excellent structure and has the added convenience of being fusible on both sides.
Soft and Stable White is another favourite for bag making and gives bags excellent body while remaining easy to sew.
They all perform the same broad job — adding structure — but there are differences in fusibility, thickness and feel. Which one you choose will depend on how you want the finished bag to behave.
Batting vs Fusible Fleece vs Foam Stabiliser
If you are standing at your cutting table wondering which one to use, this is the simplest way I think about it:
Batting = soft
Choose batting when you want softness, quilting and gentle body.
Fusible fleece = medium structure
Choose fusible fleece when you want more substance than batting but still want your project to remain flexible.
Foam stabiliser = strong structure
Choose foam when you want your bag to hold its shape and stand up properly.
Of course, bag making is never quite as simple as a rule book.
The size of the bag, the type of fabric, how heavily it is quilted and even the number of pockets can all affect the finished result.
But choosing the right layer inside your bag is one of the biggest decisions you can make.
Before You Start Your Next Bag
Before cutting your stabiliser, ask yourself one question:
How do I want this bag to behave when it is finished?
Do I want it soft and squashy?
Do I want some body but still plenty of flexibility?
Or do I want it sitting proudly on the table, holding its shape all by itself?
Once you know the answer, choosing between batting, fusible fleece and foam becomes much easier.
And sometimes that little decision hidden between two pieces of fabric is the difference between:
“That’s a nice bag.”
and
“How did you get your bag to stand up like that?”
And Then There’s Lucy…
Before I go, I asked Lucy to help me choose which bag should carry her precious chicken jerky treats on our walks.
It seemed like a simple enough job.
Well…
Three bags later, not a single decision had been made.
Instead, I received what Border Collie owners everywhere know only too well:
The Collie Stare.
That intense look that says:
“I am thinking very hard about this. Extremely hard. Please do not interrupt the decision-making process.”
Five minutes later she was still staring.
At the bags.
At me.
Back at the bags.
Still no decision.
So if you’ve ever shared your life with a Border Collie, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
They may be brilliant, but sometimes they can overthink a biscuit.
Until next time, may your seams be straight, your bags stand proudly and your fabric choices be easier than Lucy’s bag choices.
Take care,
Carrie & Lucy 🐾🧵
What Do You Think?
We would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, experiences, questions or tips with other readers of the Everything Fabric Blog.
You can leave a comment using your first and last name, or send your question or feedback directly to Carrie at carrie@everythingfabric.com.au. You can also contact Mike at mike@everythingfabric.com.au.
You can leave a comment using your first and last name, or send your question or feedback directly to Carrie at carrie@everythingfabric.com.auA funny thing happens in sewing.
Two people can use the exact same pattern, the exact same fabric and even the exact same zipper.
Yet somehow, one finished bag stands proudly on the table looking ready for adventure, while the other quietly collapses into a fabric puddle the moment you put it down.
So what’s the secret?
Usually, it isn’t the pattern.
It’s what’s hiding inside.
A bag isn’t simply fabric and a zipper. Think of it as a fabric sandwich — and the filling you choose can completely change how the finished bag looks, feels and behaves.
When I’m choosing what to put inside a bag, I generally think about three main suspects: batting, fusible fleece and foam stabiliser.
Each has its place. The trick is knowing which one suits the bag you’re making.
For some of my samples, I used Waterholes Kuukill and Shadow Play Classic Red, together with the Patchwork Paths Bag Pattern.
Suspect #1: Batting
Batting is wonderful, but it is important to understand what it does — and what it doesn’t do.
Batting gives softness, loft and that lovely quilted feel we all know. It is ideal when you want your project to have some body while still remaining flexible.
Batting is great for:
- Quilts
- Table runners
- Quilted projects
- Some softer bags
- Medium-sized bags with boxed corners
When batting is quilted, it gives a lovely soft finish and allows a table runner or quilt to sit nicely across a surface. In a bag, however, batting generally gives you softness rather than firm structure.
So if you are hoping your finished bag will stand at attention like a little soldier, batting probably isn’t going to be your first choice.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in bags. You certainly can. I simply tend to keep it for softer or medium-sized bags, particularly designs with boxed corners or quilting that adds a little extra stability.
Suspect #2: Fusible Fleece
Now we move into the middle ground.
Fusible fleece adds more body than ordinary batting while still remaining relatively soft and flexible.
It is a very useful choice when you want a bag or pouch to feel substantial without becoming stiff.
Fusible fleece is particularly good for:
- Cosmetic bags
- Zipper pouches
- Project bags
- Small organisers
- Soft-sided bags
I think of fusible fleece as the option for a bag that says: “I’m organised.” But doesn’t feel the need to shout about it.
Because the fleece is fusible, it can also make construction easier. Once it has been correctly fused to the fabric, the layers stay together while you sew.
A good example is Pellon 987FP Fusible Fleece. It gives the project body and cushioning without the firmness of foam. The finished result has more body than batting alone but still has a soft feel in the hand.
Suspect #3: Foam Stabiliser
Now we’re talking!
This is where bags start standing up on their own. Foam stabiliser is often the secret ingredient behind those gorgeous, professional-looking bags we all admire.
Foam stabiliser is ideal for:
- Tote bags
- Retreat bags
- Travel bags
- Larger project bags
- Bags that need to hold their shape
- Designs where a professional structured finish is important
This is where bags really begin to stand up on their own.
For some of my samples, I used fabrics from the Shibori and Kamakura Sisters ranges.
There are several very good foam stabilisers available, and the one you choose will depend on the feel and structure you want in the finished bag.
Pellon Flex-Foam Fusible – One Sided is a useful choice when you want the convenience of a fusible foam with plenty of structure.
Bosal In-R-Form Plus Double-Sided Fusible Foam Stabiliser gives excellent structure and has the added convenience of being fusible on both sides.
Soft and Stable White is another favourite for bag making and gives bags excellent body while remaining easy to sew.
They all perform the same broad job — adding structure — but there are differences in fusibility, thickness and feel. Which one you choose will depend on how you want the finished bag to behave.
Batting vs Fusible Fleece vs Foam Stabiliser
If you are standing at your cutting table wondering which one to use, this is the simplest way I think about it:
Batting = soft
Choose batting when you want softness, quilting and gentle body.
Fusible fleece = medium structure
Choose fusible fleece when you want more substance than batting but still want your project to remain flexible.
Foam stabiliser = strong structure
Choose foam when you want your bag to hold its shape and stand up properly.
Of course, bag making is never quite as simple as a rule book.
The size of the bag, the type of fabric, how heavily it is quilted and even the number of pockets can all affect the finished result.
But choosing the right layer inside your bag is one of the biggest decisions you can make.
Before You Start Your Next Bag
Before cutting your stabiliser, ask yourself one question:
How do I want this bag to behave when it is finished?
Do I want it soft and squashy?
Do I want some body but still plenty of flexibility?
Or do I want it sitting proudly on the table, holding its shape all by itself?
Once you know the answer, choosing between batting, fusible fleece and foam becomes much easier.
And sometimes that little decision hidden between two pieces of fabric is the difference between:
“That’s a nice bag.”
and
“How did you get your bag to stand up like that?”
And Then There’s Lucy…
Before I go, I asked Lucy to help me choose which bag should carry her precious chicken jerky treats on our walks.
It seemed like a simple enough job.
Well…
Three bags later, not a single decision had been made.
Instead, I received what Border Collie owners everywhere know only too well:
The Collie Stare.
That intense look that says:
“I am thinking very hard about this. Extremely hard. Please do not interrupt the decision-making process.”
Five minutes later she was still staring.
At the bags.
At me.
Back at the bags.
Still no decision.
So if you’ve ever shared your life with a Border Collie, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
They may be brilliant, but sometimes they can overthink a biscuit.
Until next time, may your seams be straight, your bags stand proudly and your fabric choices be easier than Lucy’s bag choices.
Take care,
Carrie & Lucy 🐾🧵
What Do You Think?
We would love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, experiences, questions or tips with other readers of the Everything Fabric Blog.
You can leave a comment using your first and last name, or send your question or feedback directly to Carrie at carrie@everythingfabric.com.au