Make a Better Tote Bag

There are tons and tons of patterns for tote bags; free, online, designer created patterns, quilt as you go and more.  No matter how I make them, I always like to use foam batting.

Foam batting is made by several companies and each has its own merits.  All brands are foam between 2 layers of stabilizer. Some stabilizers are woven, some not and some are fusible.  The batting is easy to sew through. 

I first started using the batting when my friend Brenda, of 'Among Brenda's Quilts and Bags', designed her bags with it.  I have several of her 'Everything Goes Bag'.  The current version is made with Robert Kaufman Christmas fabric.

I also used it for my version of her 'My Monster Bag'.

Back to tote bags, I used it in this charm tote bag and notice how it stands up.  No bending down to the floor to grab this one.

Or this one.  Both of these bags are Whistlepig Creek patterns.

The foam batting scraps make wonderful makeup bags or travel bags where the extra protection of the foam cushions more fragile items.