Interfacing & Stabilizer for Bag Making: Choose the Right Structure
Choosing the right interfacing and stabilizer for bag making is what gives your project the structure, durability, and finished look you want. The best choice depends on your fabric, your bag size, and how much stand-up structure you need. Use this guide to pick the right product fast, then scroll to the comparison table if you want the quick answer.
Quick Rule
Light Structure adds body and softness.
Firm Structure helps bags stand up and hold shape.
Light Structure
Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex or Sew Woven (Woven Fusible Interfacing)
What it does:
Pellon SF101 and Sew Woven are woven, fusible interfacings that add light stability while keeping your fabric flexible. This is the best “baseline” interfacing for quilting cotton and for fabrics with a subtle one-way stretch.
Best uses:
Apply SF101 or Sew Woven to all quilting cotton pieces. It’s also a smart add-on anytime your fabric has a slight stretch, like our pebble texture faux leather.
Pros:
- Easy to apply and irons well onto fabric
- Maintains the natural fabric feel
- Adds support without bulk
Cons:
- Not sturdy enough to make a bag stand up on its own
Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece
What it does:
987F adds a soft, padded feel with a fusible side. It gives a little body and a little cushion, which is perfect when you want a bag that feels comfortable and holds its shape lightly.
Best uses:
Great for soft-structured bags, quilted panels, pouches, and any project where you want cushion without stiffness.
Pros:
- Adds lightweight padding and softness
- Fusible backing makes application easy
- Nice insulation for items like lunch bags
Cons:
- Not rigid enough for heavy loads without a firmer stabilizer
- High-wear areas may need reinforcement
Batting
What it does:
Batting adds loft and cushion, especially when you’re quilting. It’s a good pick when you want a softer finish, a padded look, or a quilted texture that shows.
Best uses:
Quilted bags, pouches, and anywhere you want soft cushion instead of stand-up structure.
Pros:
- Adds cushion and loft
- Great for quilting and texture
Cons:
- Does not replace firm stabilizer in structured bags
Firm Structure
Pellon 525 Decovil Light
What it does:
525 Decovil Light is a fusible stabilizer that’s the most popular with bag makers because it creates a clean finish and a leather-like handle. It’s flexible enough for many bag exteriors but still gives a professional look.
Best uses:
Structured bags, wallets, and areas needing a smooth, stable finish. Works best for small to medium bags that need moderate structure.
Pros:
- Adds a professional-looking finish
- Crease-resistant and holds shape well
- Easy to sew through (best kept out of seam allowances)
Cons:
- Pricier than lighter interfacings
- On large bags, weight can pull panels down and feel floppier under load
Pellon 526 Decovil Heavy (1-Sided Heavyweight Fusible Stabilizer)
What it does:
526 Decovil Heavy is built for maximum firmness. It’s tear-resistant, crease-resistant, and gives a very structured result with a leather-like feel.
Best uses:
Bag bases, structured flaps, and firm panels where you want the bag to stay put and not sag.
Pros:
- Excellent shape retention
- Durable for high-use areas
- Creates a thick, high-end feel
Cons:
- Harder to sew through in multiple layers (leave it out of seam allowances)
- Can be more challenging to turn right side out
- May overwhelm lightweight fabrics
Pellon Peltex 71F One-Sided Fusible Stabilizer
What it does:
Peltex 71F is an ultra-firm stabilizer with a fusible side. It’s the “very firm base” option when you want strong structure that doesn’t collapse.
Best uses:
Bag bases, firm panels, and projects that need rigid support.
Pros:
- Maximum support for rigid structure
- Great for bases and firm panels
Cons:
- Fusing can be time consuming
- Harder to sew through in multiple layers (leave it out of seam allowances)
- Can be more challenging to turn right side out
- Not suitable for areas needing flexibility
Foam (Lightweight Structure for Large Bags)
Why foam belongs in Firm Structure:
Foam is lightweight but supports large panels better than many heavier stabilizers. For travel bags, backpacks, and large totes, foam helps the bag stand up without adding “drag weight.” It also a great option for laptop sleeves as it offers padding.
Pellon FF78F1 Flex Foam 1-Sided Fusible
What it does:
FF78F1 adds cushioned structure while staying flexible. It’s one of the best options when you want stand-up structure without heaviness.
Best uses:
Camera bags, travel bags, diaper bags, backpacks, and structured panels.
Pros:
- Strong structure with cushion
- Lightweight but supportive
- Fusible side makes it easy to attach
Cons:
- Bulky seams if included in seam allowances (leave it out of seam allowances)
- Fuse carefully to prevent puckers and wrinkles
Pellon FF77 Flex Foam Stabilizer
What it does:
FF77 is the sew-in version of foam. Same supportive feel, no fusible layer, and a great choice when you want to avoid adhesive issues.
Best uses:
Structured travel bags, backpacks, thick padded panels, and projects where you want foam support without fusing.
Tip: Run a serger or a zig-zag stitch along the foam edges to compress it and reduce bulk in the seam allowances.
Pros:
- Durable and supportive
- Great shape with cushion
- Works well in thick layers
Cons:
- Needs securing during sewing to prevent shifting
- More handling than fusible foam
Specialty & Support
Décor-Bond
What it does:
Décor-Bond is a stiff, paper-like stabilizer often used for crafts and structured panels. It’s useful when you want firmness without thickness.
Best uses:
Firm panels, organizers, and areas where you want a crisp result without foam.
Tear Away
What it does:
Tear away stabilizer is temporary support used for stitching, embroidery, or tricky construction steps where fabric needs stability while you sew.
Best uses:
Machine embroidery on bags, dense stitching, and stabilizing slippery fabrics while sewing.
Callie Del®
What it does:
Callie Del® is a bag-making stabilizer designed for firm support with flexibility. It’s a go-to when you want a polished shape without the “board” feel.
Best uses:
Everyday bags, structured pouches, and projects where you want support but still want the bag to feel nice in your hands.
Summary Table of Interfacings and Stabilizers for Bag-Making
| Interfacing/Stabilizer | Best For | Feel | Quick Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF101 Shape-Flex / Sew Woven | Quilting cotton, light support | Flexible | Use as your baseline on quilting cotton and light stretch fabrics |
| 987F Fusible Fleece | Soft structure, quilting, cushion | Soft + padded | Comfort and body, not stand-up structure |
| Batting | Quilted look, loft, cushion | Lofty | Great for quilting, not for rigid structure |
| 525 Decovil Light | Small-medium structured bags | Leather-like | Professional finish, can feel heavy on very large bags |
| 523 Decovil Light Sew-In | Heat-sensitive fabrics | Leather-like | Same style support without fusing |
| 526 Decovil Heavy | Bases, flaps, very firm panels | Very firm | Leave out of seam allowances, turning can be harder |
| Peltex 71F | Ultra-firm bases and rigid panels | Rigid | Strongest option, fusing takes time |
| FF78F1 Flex Foam (Fusible) | Backpacks, travel bags, large totes | Supportive + cushioned | Lightweight structure for large bags, keep out of seam allowances |
| FF77 Flex Foam (Sew-In) | Foam support without fusing | Supportive + cushioned | Secure well while sewing |
| Décor-Bond | Crisp panels, organizers | Crisp | Firm without bulk, great for certain panels |
| Tear Away | Temporary sewing support | Temporary | Ideal for embroidery and dense stitching |
| Callie Del® | Bag-making support with flexibility | Firm but flexible | Nice “bag feel” without being board-like |
By selecting the right interfacing and stabilizer, you can get the exact result you want, from soft and padded to crisp and structured. In the video below, Melissa walks through several of the most popular bag-making options and explains how they’re commonly used.
