Reader Linda N. from Hawaii recently wrote in with a helpful hint for those of you who are bothered by tokidoki bag styles like the Buon Viaggio that don’t keep their shape when they are filled with a lot of stuff (the bottom dips down rather than remaining flat). Here is what she does:
To help her bags keep their shape and give support to the bottom, she bought some flexible cutting mats – they’re like cutting boards that are really thin and flexible. She measured the bottom dimensions of the bag and cut the cutting mat to fit – they can be cut with scissors. One side of the cutting mat is “sticky” and slip resistant so she put that side facing the bottom of the bag and it stays in place nicely. Unlike cardboard, it won’t crease if you put really heavy things in your bag. She used these mats to support a Scuola, Bambinone, Buon Viaggio, Dolce and a Campeggio. I might try it myself. 
thanks for the tip!
Great tip, thanks! I used cardboard in a bag once, and it did indeed end up going crappy and bendy.
Thanks Linda for sharing! Great tip indeed!
Thanks for the tip! That’s always been one of my frustrations with tokidoki bags. I’ve got to try it now.
I never thought of that! I think it’d be hard for Bellas, though. Might try with my Stellina!
awesome! i was actually thinking about doing something like this when i first got my campeggio… but i couldn’t think of anything that i could use. the closest thing i got to thinking of using was those hard plastic covers for notebooks. i might just try this idea out for my BV. thanks!
that’s a wonderful idea! o.o i wish i heard about it before selling my gioco =P lol
That’s a good idea! Usually I use some sort of card board or a notebook ;p
wow! thank you so much! and this is so exciting to read since i just got my first Buon Viaggio in the mail (in Tutti)
!!!
This is an excellent idea! I have always wanted to carry my Famaliga BV to school but everytime I put my notebooks in it will just give it a big dip which upsets me. And I will also need to this for my Scoula since I am going to carry on some stuff since I am going to texas.
Thanks for the idea Linda N.!
PS: I don’t want to sound stupid but where can I purchase the cutting boards with the sticky bottom?
Hi Brie -
I got the flexible cutting boards at Wal-mart. I guess they would have it at any kitchen specialty store also. Good Luck!
Brie – there is also a link in the original post to where I found them for sale online (on Amazon).
Thanks Linda N. And Steph.
wow i never thought of that! now my scoula won’t be all floppy
Also FYI for BV:
I use a large purseket inside my BV (www.purseket.com or ebay) and it keeps my bag organized as well as non-floppy and holds its shape. I can fit in my Caramella, checkbook, small notebook or paperwork, 1-2 diapers &wipes container in that middle section (my wallet, camera, pens, small junks etc. are in the purseket).
I didn’t get around to testing it in my other Tokis but will try to post again with results when I get around to it.
But if you intend to put notebooks/binders in the BV, then this won’t be a good solution for you since purseket and the stuff you put in it takes up room around the edges of the bag and doesn’t leave enough space in the open middle section for larger school-sized notebooks.
Good luck no matter what solution you get!
Oh my gosh, this is the greatest idea ever!!
I just cut three out for my buon viaggio’s and it’s PERFECT!!
no sagging at the bottom!!
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!
(now im going to do one for my scuola and gioco)
ooh… *addict* can u post some pics fer the gioco…. ya i didn’t notice that ppl didn’t like the sagginess in the bags heh
Thanks for this info. Went to wal-mart and bought mats they aren’t sticky they are non slip on one side and smooth on the other side. They are very easy to cut to fit. You do have to round the corners so they aren’t sharp in the bags. It is the best…….it works great…….thanks sooooo much !!!!