![\"Sedron](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Sedron-Backpack-Pattern-Hack-700x394.jpg\")
<\/a>Stabilisers – Why use them in your bag making projects?<\/h2>\n
Your choice of stabiliser depends on the specific requirements of the bag you’re making, in terms of strength, flexibility, shape, and appearance.\u00a0 The best stabiliser for bag making is the one that meets the specific needs of the bag you’re making, and results in a high-quality, durable, and aesthetically pleasing finished bag. It’s not a case of one size fits all.<\/p>\n
What are the biggest benefits to using stabilisers in your bag making projects?<\/p>\n
- \n
- Add structure and support to give a more professional finish<\/li>\n
- Ensures your bags are durable and look great for a long time<\/li>\n
- Helps the bag hold weight without sagging<\/li>\n
- Makes bags more usable as they keep their shape when in use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Lomexa](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/lo22-400x391.jpg\")
<\/a>Handbags made using cork and Decovil Light stabiliser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n What are the main types of stabilisers?<\/h2>\n
Stabilisers enhance your handmade projects by providing stability, stiffness, or shape retention. There are various types of stabilizers available in the market, each with its unique features and applications. I’ll try to sum up the main types and what I love about each:<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n
Fleece<\/h3>\n
You can find fusible and sew-in versions of fleece. Fleece is best when you want to add softness and volume to a project but don\u2019t need a lot of stability. I find it most useful for pouches and small or slouchy bags where structure isn\u2019t required. Fleece is available in different weights and thicknesses, depending on the desired outcome. For example, we stock H640 medium loft fusible fleece<\/a>, but we also stock TP970 high loft sew-in fleece<\/a>. High loft means it’s thicker and more stable than the medium.<\/p>\n
![\"Nasyow](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/nasyow-7-400x400.jpg\")
<\/a>Pouches made using fusible fleece<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Foam<\/h3>\n
Fusible and sew-in versions are available. Foam gives a more 3D structure than fleece. It provides good shape retention and a soft, cushioning effect. It’s great for giving structure to bags made with quilting cotton. I like to use it for handbags and crossbody bags. It\u2019s also useful if you have a panel that you\u2019re quilting as it adds depth to your quilting pattern. For foam stabiliser, we prefer Style-Vil sew-in foam<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Yasmota](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yasmota-with-leather-handles-2-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A handbag made using canvas and foam stabiliser with ultra-firm stabiliser in the base<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Leather-like<\/h3>\n
Decovil Light<\/a> is the most common stabiliser that you\u2019ll find in this category. Although there are some new rival products, we\u2019re yet to try one that is just as good. This type of stabiliser adds structure to the bag without making it too rigid. It doesn\u2019t give the soft cushiony finish of foam, but it gives a similar amount of structure and is great to use with thicker fabrics such as vinyl.<\/p>\n
![\"Yasmota](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yasmota-Handbag-Vinyl-3-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A handbag made using vinyl and Decovil Light plus some ultra-firm stabiliser in the base<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/h3>\n
Ultra-firm<\/h3>\n
These stabilisers provide maximum support and shape retention. They\u2019re usually a bit like dense cardboard. They\u2019re non-woven stabilisers that are ideal for use in bags that require significant support and shape retention. We use them for large tote bags, the back panel of backpacks, the main support in wallets, and the base panel of crossbody bags and handbags. The extra firm nature of these stabilisers prevents the base of a bag from sagging when it\u2019s full. For ultra-firm stabilisers, we stock 71F Peltex fusible stabiliser<\/a>, and also S133 ULTRA ULTRA firm fusible stabiliser<\/a>, which is so stiff and sturdy that I would definitely only recommend using it for bag bases.<\/p>\n
![\"Yasmota](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Yasmota-Handbag-with-Stripes-3-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A handbag made using cotton and ultra-firm stabiliser for the main panels as well as the base<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/h2>\n
Which brands and products?<\/h2>\n
Below is a list of some stabilisers I use or have been recommended to me. Check your local crafting shop or search online to see which are available to buy in your area. The links take you to the manufacturer’s website for more information about that specific product, but most are not available to purchase there.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Is quality important? Yes! Bad quality stabilisers may look good when the bag is initially finished, but don\u2019t hold up with use. Before you buy loads of any type of stabiliser, try it out on a test project and see if you like it.<\/p>\n
Fleece (also known as batting)<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Vlieseline H640<\/a> (medium loft fusible)<\/li>\n
- 971F Thermolam<\/a> (compressed sew-in) – denser and gives better structure than most fleece stabilisers<\/li>\n
- 970 Thermloam<\/a> (sew-in version of 971F)<\/li>\n
- Pellon 987F<\/a> (medium loft fusible)<\/li>\n
- Legacy 987F<\/a> (medium loft fusible)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Wanderlust](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/wan1-400x400.jpg\")
A slouchy tote bag made using fusible fleece<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\nFoam<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Vlieseline Style-Vil<\/a> (sew-in)<\/li>\n
- Vlieseline Style-Vil Fix<\/a> (fusible)<\/li>\n
- Pellon FF77 Flex-Foam<\/a> (sew-in or fusible available)<\/li>\n
- Legacy FF77 Flex Foam (sew-in or fusible available)<\/li>\n
- By Annie’s Soft & Stable<\/a> (sew-in)<\/li>\n
- Bosal-in-R-form<\/a> (available in fusible or sew-in)<\/li>\n
- Serial BagMakers Bouncyfirm 160<\/a> (fusible) – not a foam but is recommended by many as a great alternative<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Complete](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Complete-Daythum-Sling-Fudge-Floral-1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A sling bag made using foam stabiliser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"Legacy](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Legacy-Flex-Foam-Stabiliser-2-300x225.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n
\nLeather-like<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Decovil I Light<\/a> (fusible)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Teal](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Teal-Mora-Momexa-1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A vinyl crossbody bag made using Decovil Light stabiliser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n ![\"Decovil](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Decovil-Light-1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nUltra-firm<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Peltex 71F<\/a> (fusible)<\/li>\n
- Peltex 70<\/a> (sew-in)<\/li>\n
- Legacy Fuse-n-Shape (same as Peltex 71F)<\/li>\n
- Timtex (sew-in) – I\u2019ve not tried this but it\u2019s been recommended as an alternative to Peltex 70<\/li>\n
- Decovil I heavy<\/a> (fusible heavy leather-like) – less rigid but still great for bag bases<\/li>\n
- S133<\/a> ULTRA ULTRA Firm – bag bases only<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Lemonza](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lemonza-Clutch-Wallet-1-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A wallet made using ultra-firm stabiliser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where you live will dictate which products are easily available to you. For example, Pellon products tend to be easily available in North America, Vlieseline (Vilene) products tend to be more widely available in Europe and Legacy products seem to be more common in Australasia. Some countries have all the brands available, but some will be more expensive than others because the brand is based on a different continent. You may also notice that Pellon and Legacy products have the same names and codes. It would appear that Legacy is the brand name used for Pellon products outside of North America. There’s also loads of unbranded interfacing available on Ebay<\/a> and Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n
When buying stabiliser, make sure you check the width! The width varies a lot so bear this in mind when comparing the price per metre as some will be double the width of others.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Grey](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Grey-Waxed-Canvas-Kedemoth-Messenger-Bag-by-Country-Cow-Designs-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>A messenger bag made using waxed canvas and ultra-firm stabiliser<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Fusible or Non-Fusible?<\/h2>\n
Fusible is my preferred option for fleece and leather-like stabilisers. Fleece in particular isn’t super structured and the fabric can end up pulling away from it if it’s not fused. However, your fabric definitely needs to be interfaced before you fuse the fleece to it. Without interfacing, you’ll find the fusible fleece will cause the fabric to wrinkle.<\/p>\n
For foam and ultra-firm stabilisers, I’m happy to use fusible or non-fusible. In many of our sewing patterns that contain binding, we slip the stabiliser between the layers of the bag before it’s assembled in the final step. This method allows you to use fabrics such as waxed canvas and vinyls without having to fuse the stabiliser to them.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/countrycowdesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Fusible-Interfacing-282x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSummary<\/h2>\n
There’s a wide variety of stabilisers you can use in your bag making projects. Everyone has different opinions on the best products to use and these will also depend on the type of fabrics you’re working with. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is source samples of different types and give them all a go. You’ll discover your favourites for each fabric that you work with. I hope you’ve found this post helpful. If you haven’t already, check out my interfacing blog post here.<\/a><\/p>\n
- Peltex 70<\/a> (sew-in)<\/li>\n
- Peltex 71F<\/a> (fusible)<\/li>\n
- Vlieseline Style-Vil Fix<\/a> (fusible)<\/li>\n
- 971F Thermolam<\/a> (compressed sew-in) – denser and gives better structure than most fleece stabilisers<\/li>\n
- Vlieseline H640<\/a> (medium loft fusible)<\/li>\n