Replies

1. 
   sanderson | Jul 07, 2001 10:16pm | #1

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   Don't know what Kate Spade stiffness refers to; the sandwich idea could have a lightweight plywood filling inserted before the top is closed/

1. 
   lynn_d._warner | Jul 21, 2001 10:20pm | #2

   *Ki, I've been wanting to try the same thing for a couple of years and have been stopped by exactly this problem! I asked a sewing teacher who didn't have any specific answers, just suggested checking a tailor's supply catalog for suitably stiff material. If you do figure this out, I'd dearly love to hear your solution.

1. 
   Kimberly_D'Auria | Jul 25, 2001 03:45am | #3

   *http://webx.taunton.com/WebX?224@@[email protected],There is a product out there that is called chip. It comes in many weights to line or base your handbag. It is like a pressed cardboard but is grey in color.Also you can use bonded leather but that has a little more flex to it. That comes by ounces.I hope this will help you. K

1. 
   Marion_ | Jul 27, 2001 04:47pm | #4

   *I haven't tried this but I read an article written by someone who had taken apart some ready-made purses to see how they were constructed, and she found ordinary cardboard had been used for stiffening. I don't know if it was glued to the fabric or just slipped inside. Wish I could remember where the article was -- probably in some book I got at the library. There were patterns and instructions. Maybe you could find it.

1. 
   Jan_Beasley | Jul 28, 2001 06:21pm | #5

   *There is a stiff interfacing called Timtex, which is usually mentioned to use as the stiffening for baseball cap brims. You can use one or two layers. I'm not sure about a supplier, but I would try Judith M, Birch Street Clothing, or The Rain Shed. The first two have web sites.

2. 
   karen_morris_ | Aug 04, 2001 05:50am | #6

   *ki, i wonder whether the side of a 1-gallon milk bottle is as large as your purse? plastic from a milk bottle makes a great stiffener for something like that(you have to cut away the curved part of the bottle, and just use the flat part). i would sew and turn the thing, and then slide the plastic inside. you could even use two layers, if needed....

3. 
   Marion_ | Aug 04, 2001 07:37pm | #7

   *If anybody uses any of these ideas, would you let us know how they turned out? I'm especially intrigued with the milk bottle one.