Murphy224

I did a search of the forum for this question but it seems the last time the mini was discussed was last year and the Professional Tote was discussed in 2016. Don't know how I missed this pattern for so long! Anyway I came across the Professional Tote in a quilt shop recently but she was out of patterns and only offered to those taking a class. I did a search for the pattern and discovered that there was a mini version and decided that it might meet my needs more.
So I purchased the pattern for the mini professional tote and while reading all the instructions saw that the mini used elastic for the end pockets. I was wondering how the elastic end/side pockets hold up after using? I have made a bag before that used elastic in the top of a pockets in the same place and they ended up being pretty useless, the elastic stretched out, things other than tissues would fall out, etc.
I know the Professional tote has a drawstring cord stop closure and wonder if that would not be a better choice for those pockets in the mini version?
Also, has anyone made this mini tote using both decor bond and soft and stable on the main body pieces? I want it to stand alone and not sag. Her directions do not address soft and stable in the mini pattern.
Any thoughts? Tips? or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Murphy