Advice about making tote bags please
 

I make a lot of tote bags. As a rule, they are quilted with batting in the middle. In a nutshell I quilt a large sandwich and sew it into a bag. I like how they look. But.....lately I've been wanting to put pockets on the insides. Of course the seams where I sewed the pockets show on the outside, taking away from my quilting in my opinion. I can't put the pockets on the lining fabric before the quilting process because then I would be quilting the pocket shut.

Is there some obvious solution to this process that I'm missing? I guess making an actual lining, in addition to the back of the quilt sandwhich, would solve the problem but that's too much effort for me!!

Thanks.

Other than the obvious solution that you mentioned - I can't think of a way that would work.

Maybe attach a pocket to the top edge and catch it in a binding? It would sort of swing free from the top.

Or attach a pockets to the side seams somehow?

You would have to make a separate lining for pockets, as you said.

Hey, bear, that's interesting. A free hanging pocket, secured only by the top stitching. That may work.....

I have done the free hanging pocket as mentioned, but keep in mind if you put something heavy in it, it will drag the edge of the bag down.
What I usually do is run the handles all the way around the bag like this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-...bbing-Handles/
the straps hide the side seams where you have attached the pocket on the inside. You can also add a pocket to the outside. You don't have to make the handles go all the way around, just down far enough to cover the pocket seam. If you make the handle a contrasting fabric, it becomes a design element.

Ah yes, Princess. I see what you mean. That's a very interesting method. Thanks!

Do you always use serious straps like in the tute or do you sometimes make your own handles out of plain old cloth, folded over? I can see how the straps could also be a design element. Definitely something to think about.

P.S. I posted a pic of how I finished the laptop tote bag, it's sinking lower into the que in case you want to see....

You could also hand stitch the pockets without going all the way through to the front. I've done many that way, stitching around the 2 sides & bottom and also just stitching the bottom of ones I attached at the top like described above.
You can also use liquid stitch or a no-sew permanent fusible

Those are some great ideas ckcowl!! I don't have the patience myself for handsewing and I do it horribly, but the fusible stuff is a great idea that I can get behind personally. I even have some already.

When I make totes I sew the inside pockets to the inside lining.

Could you just quilt the top and the batting together only then make the lining with the pockets sewn into the side and bottom seams which will give them strength.