Bosal In-R-Form adds great structure to quilted bags

This week I’m talking all about Bosal In-R-Form, a fantastic foam product to stabilize sewing and allow sewists to have very professional structured results. I have used it many times with many projects including bags, backpacks, quilt as you go placemats, baskets, bowls, lunch bags and more.

What’s really cool about it is:

• It’s a foam product that provides a sturdy look and feel to projects giving them a professional finish.
• It provides strength to straps and handles and the projects itself.
• It looks and feels soft so projects do not feel overly stiff or crunchy.
• It’s form-able.
• It’s easy to stitch through with a sewing machine.
• It’s needle friendly and does not cause needle breakage.
• It’s available in one-sided fusible, two-sided fusible and sew in.
• It works in some cases as both an interfacing and a stabilizer.
• It’s versatile and can be used in a host of projects.
• It irons well and packing creases are easily removed.
• It’s excellent!

This week I plan on discussing two neat, original bags made with Bosal In-R-Form. The first bag is called The Library Tote and the other bag is called The Date Night Clutch. I encourage sewists to follow along each day to see what all the excitement is about with Bosal In-R-Form this week.

The Library Tote is a simple bag I have designed to demonstrate Bosal In-R-Form. It’s so easy to make. Make no mistake though, it won’t be another boring bag pattern. Even though it’s an easy bag to make, there are at least 3 great techniques to learn apply to future bag making endeavors.

The techniques I’m excited to share with you include:

1. The easiest pocket ever (I’m not kidding)
2. Installing a magnetic snap
3. A very unique, strong strap making method using Bosal In-R-Form

Sew….. let’s get started!

It’s October and by now your kids (and you) are well into the swing of things. I’m betting everyone is in school, work, social routines and carrying stuff to every event. The Library Tote is a strong bag meant to carry books from the library with a cute pocket to store library cards inside (no more lost library cards). Of course, you could also carry this tote to any event with its decent storage and a handy pocket.

• package of Bosal In-R-Form one-sided fusible stabilizer as shown below
• 1yd fabric for the outside of the bag and straps – fabric shown is from Northcott Fabric -Cosmic Universe in Galactic Blue
• 1 yd fabric for the lining – shown is Northcott Fabric-Cosmic Universe in Green
• thread to match fabric
• 28″L x 7½”W piece of lightweight fusible woven interfacing for pocket
• UNIQUE Sewing Magnetic Snaps
• a marking pen for marking magnetic snap
• small piece of fusible batting or Bosal In-R-Form for snap insertion
• UNIQUE Quilting Clever Clips (optional but useful)
• sewing pins (optional)
• seam ripper

• cut 1- 32″L x 15″W for outside of bag
• cut 2- 3¾”W x 20″L handles

• cut 1 -32″L x 15″W for lining
• cut 1- 28″L x 7½”W for pocket

From Bosal In-R-Form one sided fusible stabilizer

• cut 1 – 31″L x 14″W
• cut 2 – 1¼”W x 20″L for handles

• cut 1- 28″L X 7½”W for pocket

• cut 2 – 1½” x 1½” for snap

Now for the fun part, the cutting is over!

Making the handles:

Place the Bosal In-R-Form handle strips (shiny side down) lengthwise on one wrong side of the handle fabric as shown below, press to fuse. Press on cotton/linen setting until the fabric is fused to the interfacing. No sewing is required for this step. NOTE: If not using a fusible stabilizer, sewing to attach the stabilizer would be required at this point.

Fold the handle fabric in ¼” along the opposite side from the Bosal In-R-Form strips.

Fold the fabric side towards the Bosal In-R-Form and press so the fabric is pressed crisp against the edge of the Bosal In-R-Form.

Fold the remaining ¼” folded edge of fabric around to the wrong side of the handles and press to make crisp, straight edges. Clip the sides with UNIQUE Quilting Clever Clips to hold (or pin) and start some top stitching.

Top stitch the handles down the center ⅛” from the folded edge and then as many lines of stitching as preferred. Look carefully below, I did 4 lines of top stitching to ensure a strong handle.

Wasn’t that such an easy way to make a handle? I really enjoy making my handles and straps this way and using the one sided fusible Bosal In-R-Form stabilizer makes it so easy because the stabilizer stays in place while rolling and pressing the fabric. Not to mention, these are strong handles sure to stand the test of time.

I hope you’ll check back tomorrow to see the remainder of the bag sewing instructions, an easy magnetic snap insertion and my method of constructing the easiest pocket ever.

Until then, Happy Sewing!