I used a 90/14 needle with 50 wt thread for the whole bag. First thing is get a good bobkin. The elastic is very tricky, it was for me the first one I made. I sewed the end of the elastic to the bag and then pulled it through to the end and sewed that down and then took it off the bobkin. I used the Clover latch botkin. Whatever you use be sure the elastic is secure on the bobkin or it will pull off in mid pull. Not a fun thing to happen. LOL I didn't do the straps like the pattern instructs. I made them like tote handles by cutting twice a wide, folding over a strip of batting, and folding again. Also you could use thick cording instead of fabric handles. Lots of variation for the bag. My first bag took a long time to make but now I can do one in about an hour.