I am just finishing up my third "Professional Tote" and I really love them! The first two I gave as Christmas presents to DD and DDIL. This one I am making is for ME!!!

They are not really HARD to make but they certainly are extremely time consuming and you really have to read the directions carefully, watch what you are doing and keep your wits about you. (That is easier said than done on some days)

Anyway - I just saw a quilt shop in Columbus has a class on making the "Professional Tote" and it is on a Friday evening and 8 hours on Saturday. The ad said "start the tote on Friday and complete it on Saturday."

I thought that was ridiculous! I think it would take me all of that time to do the cutting out of all the pieces and iron on the stabilizer. Then it would take me maybe 3 or 4 more all day sessions to complete the tote. And I have done 3 of them already! I can't imagine finishing the whole project in 1 1/2 days.

Maybe I am just a slow-poke.

Here are pictures of the first one that I made:

Wow they are great.

What a beautiful bag! This pattern is on my wish list. I would like to make them for gifts. Maybe I should stick to a bow tuck bag. I haven't tried that yet either.

Those totes look wonderful. I saw one of the shops was doing that class. Maybe they're having you some prep work and won't quite finish?

WOW.....all those zippers!!! A beautiful bag!

And your fabric choice is going to look good forever. You did a GREAT job! I wouldn't even attempt the pattern. :thumbup:

AWESOME!

beautiful, thanks for sharing with all of us

Your tote is really quite nice, maybe someday I will venture out and make one!

Sounds like a Debbie Quinn pattern to me. She makes wonderful bags, but they are time consuming. She's very creative. :thumbup:

I love it! Beautiful fabrics!! I want one too :D:D:D

I've been thinking of that class, I am familiar with that LQS. There will probably be a prework sheet so you can cut before hand. I've taken classes from that particular instructor..she's fabulous!! And you might be suprised how much you can get done when you don't have the rest of the 'house' to deal with ;)

Your bag is great! The colors are perfect.

If it is a Debbie Quinn bag (from the Patrick James collection), there will definitely be homework and if you don't have it done before class, you will have a hard time keeping up in class.

Waiting to see some other bags ... :D

Beautiful

I made one and it took me about 1 week. I am a visual sewer and a friend let me take her bag home so I could interpret the instructions better. It was easy as long as I had her bag to look at, but I dont plan on making anymore. Yours is great and I love your colors.

I have the pattern and great plans for making it someday. Love your first tote and hope that you share #'s 2 and 3 with us.

You did a beautiful job! :D

You did a great job. I made two of them for my DDs for Christmas and just finished one for myself. The one I made for me is 'cut down' to be a little smaller as I want to use it as a 'large' purse. I used some of the less expensive upholstery fabric from JoAnn's and am very pleased with how they turned out. They certainly do take some time and careful attention to the directions, but the results are fantastic. I'll try to get some pictures to post soon. Congratulations on yours. Is that cotton fabric? It looks intriguing.

"Is that cotton fabric? It looks intriguing."

Yes, it was from a LQS. I love this fabric!

Beautiful tote!

that is awesome

great bag

I am taking this class in Columbus on Friday and Saturday. When I signed up I was given an instruction sheet with the details of the steps that need completed before Friday which includes cutting out the stabilizer and some of the tote pieces. The instructor told me that it was about 3 hours worth of prep work so the tote would be finished by end of class on Saturday.

Your tote is just beautiful - love the colors!!!