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.

The family of Bosal In-R-Form stabilizers
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 made with Bosal In-R-Form one sided fusible stabilizer – a great bag for library books and more.
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:
- The easiest pocket ever (I’m not kidding)
- Installing a magnetic snap
- 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.
materials
- 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

Materials needed for The Library Tote
Cutting
- 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
Sewing Instructions
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.

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

Opposite side pressed ¼”
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.

Fabric folded towards 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.

Handles completely folded, pressed and clipped, ready for 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.

4 lines of top stitching on the handles
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!
This is part 1 of 5 in this series.
Go to part 2: How to attach magnetic snaps and making the easiest tote pocket ever
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12 comments
I am making tote bags with Bosal. I have sewn the Bosal and material together. I had no problem sewing the Bosal and fabric, it’s when I am now trying to sew both sides of the bag together it will not go through my machine. It is just sewing ‘on-the spot’ and now in danger of ripping the Bosal when removing the stitches. The fabric is a panel which I have padded, so a lot of stitching already done on the panel. Is it the tension which should be changed? I have a Brother 130 machine. I bought it when it first came out and it is still working well, usually with no problem at all.
Hi Jean, I would suggest you use a walking foot, The walking foot is designed to go through thicker fabric. If at all possible also reduce the pressure foot pressure and the tension could be reduced to allow for the stitching and thickness. Also, a large needle sized 90 is recommended
I have watched a tutorial for a mat used for draining dishes. Is this waterproof?
Hi Geneva, the Bosal In-R-Form is only water resistant, and can be machine washed. Thank you for asking!
Thanks for the great tutorial! I’m making Christmas gifts and this will be helpful!
So glad you have enjoyed the tutorial and yes Bosal In-R-Form is wonderful. Happy Holidays!
I’ve never used Bosal In-R-Form before. I’ll have to give it a try.
Awesome Linda, I am sure you will not be disappointed.
I’ve been thinking about making a tote of some sort and I’m happy to learn about this product. It sounds easy to use and exactly what I need to give structure to a tote.
Thanks Laura, give it a try when you get a chance it is so structured with Bosal!
I’m following this series. I am about to start a new purse I will design on my own combining great ideas I have gathered. This is a timely post for me! Thanks you.
So glad to hear this Carol, Have a great time with your purse and hopefully some of the ideas this week will come in handy. Bosal In-R-Form sincerely provides professional results. Happy Sewing!