At a Glance
Choosing the right interfacing is essential for making DIY bags and purses that hold their shape, stay durable, and look professional. This guide explains the role of bag interfacing, outlines the differences between light, medium, heavy, and extra-heavy weights, and provides practical advice for matching each type to your project for reliable results.
Getting Started with DIY Bags and Purses
If your DIY bags and purses are turning out floppy or saggy, the problem could be with the interfacing. This happens because many beginners don’t know the importance of bag interfacing in providing structure, and a ‘how to sew a simple bag’ guide won’t likely cover this either.
That’s why we at Realm Wholesale, we have created this bag interfacing guide for you. In our online store, we stock everything you might need to make your own bags, including interfacing, hooks, cord locks, and webbing.
We’re a family run business, and a team who care about the quality of our products we sell. You can browse our collection of tailoring items.
What is Bag Interfacing and Why Does it Matter for Bag Making?
Bag interfacing is a support material used to reinforce parts of a fabric project. In the world of bag making, it helps your bags:
- Keep their shape (so they don’t flop or sag)
- Keep the bags more durable and long-lasting
- Feel more professional in finishing
- Support handles, zippers, closures, and panels
At Realm Wholesale, you’ll find iron-on or fusible interfacing in various weights: light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy. Our interfacing fabric for bags is perfect for every kind of bag project, including tote bags and high-structure handbags.
Types of Interfacing Fabric for Bags and Their Uses
It’s easy to feel lost or confused by the different types and weights of interfaces. That’s why we have compiled a list of common interfaces with guidance on the types of bags they pair with.
Light Weight Iron-On Interfacing
These are great for small pouches, for linings, and card slots. This layer adds a little body to the cotton or polyester fabric without making it stiff. This interfacing is especially useful if you’re just starting to learn how to make handmade bags at home.
You can also use Light Weight Interfacing when you’re working with delicate fabrics and you want to reduce bulk in layered areas.
Medium Weight Iron-On Interfacing
This Medium Weight Interfacing would be your ideal choice for common types of bags. These interfaces provide a noticeable structure but still allow for a natural drape. If you’re sewing a basic shoulder bag or a small tote, you need a medium-weight fusible interfacing.
You could also use it when you’re pairing it with medium-weight fabrics like canvas or denim. You need your bag to have a form and yet be flexible.
Heavy Weight Iron-On Interfacing
A Heavy Weight Iron-On Interfacing provides strong support to exterior panels and base sections. They are perfect if you want your DIY bags and purses to stand up on their own or want crisp edges that hold the shape.
You can also use bag interfacing while making laptop sleeves and working with soft fabrics that need to hold the shape of the bag.
Extra Heavy Weight Iron-On Interfacing
This type of bag interfacing is really helpful when you need firmness for your travel bags or large totes. Extra Heavy Weight Interfacing is also important if you want your bag to have a large load-bearing capacity. Additionally, it also helps in reinforcing handles, straps, or bag bottoms.
How to Make Handmade Bags at Home
If you’ve ever tried making a bag that looked great on paper but didn’t really work in real life, you’re not alone. It’s very important, before you start stitching a bag, to define its function.
Once you have decided on the bag’s purpose, it becomes easier to figure out your next step. A roomy tote needs different planning than a compact clutch. This decision influences the kind of fabric you use, the structure of your bag, strap length, openings, and the number of pockets or compartments.
Once the design is ready and you’re cutting the fabric pieces, you need to be very precise. There are many layers of fabric, interfacing and lining that are involved during stitching a bag, and if one of them is off, it can mess with the entire shape. It’s also a good idea to use weights or clips instead of pins if you’re working with heavier fabric.
As you start sewing, think about your machine setup. Use a stronger needle, such as 90/14 or 100/16 for bulkier layers to help lengthen your stitch and avoid puckering.
Finally, don’t forget to reinforce the stress points like strap joints, bag bases, and zipper ends.
Contact Realm Wholesale for Bag Making Supplies
When you are working on DIY bags and purses, you need reliable partners who can provide you with high-quality bag-making items. At Realm Wholesale, we have supported many hobbyists by providing them with high-quality sewing supplies at the best prices.
Our experts handpick every item in our haberdashery product range. If you’re unsure about what products you need, get in touch with our team of experts, who’ll be happy to help you.
We also make bulk buying simple. If you’re stocking your bag-making shop or launching a workshop space, we’ll help you find the right quantities at competitive trade prices with fast delivery across the UK.
Check out our full sewing range today and get started.