Professional Tote help needed
 

I purchased this pattern in 2009 (copyright 2003) and tried making it at a retreat (mistake). Anyway, I am hung up on making the front zipper pocket (page 5/6) for those of you with the patter. I fused the interfacing to the back of the zipper pocket (#5), and followed the instructions to add the zipper. (Step 1, a-e.) At step 1 (f) I sewed the two contrast pieces as instructed and flipped them to the back of the pocket. The next step (g) is to sew the pocket to the front piece of the bag.
No where can I find that the inside (interfacing) of the pocket is covered. Am I missing a step? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you so much for any help.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...e-t281215.html

i will look for my pattern...not really sure what you areasg.yes ot a project to tackle at retreat. I sewed my 2 hours at a time....the instructions are intense. It goes together perfectly .....BLUE ribbon!!

I've never made that tote but here are some step-by-step pictures that might (or might not) help you.

http://coleensspace.blogspot.com/201...sional.html?z=

Hope Sandygirl can help you as hers turned out terrific.

Thank you. My problem is step 1/2 - she shows the completed zipper pocket, but my problem starts before that. The front piece is lined with interfacing - The piece that she shows with a purse and red flower. I know the interfacing is covered, but I don't know how it gets covered. I read all the way through to the end of the instructions and it never (that I can find) shows how the lining piece covers the interfacing. I am beyond frustrated with this.

Ok, we can get through this. I have made several of these. It has been awhile but it is not too bad to do. You will have a great bag when you are done.
I think you may be over thinking this which is easy to do. You are going to end up with your zipper sandwiched in between the two larger bottom pieces and then on top you will have the zipper sandwiched between the two smaller pieces. You will end up with a pocket that are finished on the front and back. I think you may be thinking that you need to be able to access the area between these two pieces. Not so. You will take this "finished" zipper pocket and sew it on top of the bag front. Baste as directed. The bag front actually becomes the back of the pocket. When this is basted onto the bag front, opening the zipper will get you to the area between the bag front and the two layered pocket. I am really awful at writing directions so if there is a way I can help you with pictures or verbally, just let me know. It really is totally do-able.

I missed a step. The zipper pocket goes on top of pattern piece #13. That is the piece that creates the slip pocket with the zipper pocket on it. Then that unit goes on the front of the bag.

I don't know how to post photos. But, on step 1, a-e, I have a finished piece that has the main fabric on the front side and the interfacing on the back. The next step says to sew the two pieces (#13) to the top of that finished piece and then flip them over to the back. Okay, great. But the interfacing is still showing on the back of the zipper piece.

You have 2 # 5 pieces right? And you cut one and one half inch off the tops of those two pieces.
Take one of the larger of the #5 pieces (the one with the interfacing) and place the zipper right side down on that. Right side of zip will be on right side of the fabric. Zip tab on the left side. Zipper tape will extend beyond fabric on the right side. Pin this zip in place. Now place the other large #5 (without interfacing) right side of fabric down, on top of the zipper tape. All three edges line up together. Zipper will be sandwiched in between the two #5 pieces. During this process, make sure that your zipper tab is just a bit over 1/4 inch from the left side. Sew using a zipper foot using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. After sewn, flip the fabric so that wrong sides end up together. You will end up with two pretty fabric sides outwards and the zip will be at the top and upright from the fabrics. When done, you will have the bottom of the zipper pocket completed. Do the same process with the two small pieces of the pocket. Let me know how you make out with this process. Like I said, I am not good at written directions. This completed piece will sit on top of #13 and no interfacing will show.

Becky, here's how to post pictures:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/faq.ph...b3_attachments

There is a limited size so you might have to reduce your pictures some in order for them to be accepted.

No, I do NOT have two (2) #5 pieces. My pattern says to cut ONE. I believe we may have just found the problem. My pattern says to cut one in the Cutting Directions, and it shows to only cut one in the Layout Diagram.
No wonder I was frustrated. I believe I can get this pocket done with your directions. Thank you. I will post on my progress tomorrow.

Thank you. I am not good at things like that either.

Yep, if you have two pieces then it all makes sense. It is a great bag and you will love it. I don't think we have the same set of instructions because your step numbers are the same as mine. Now, just to add to your problems--I purchased the pattern for the mini professional tote and it is even better. It is adorable. I work during the day but please let me know if your directions are wonky anywhere else and I will try to help.

Here is a blog with some pictures about making the professional tote

http://coleensspace.blogspot.com/201...sional.html?z=

I have the same pattern from 2003, the page that has the fabric cutting instructions also shows to Cut 1 of #5 Zipper Pocket. Further down the page is #13, Front Zipper Pocket Lining and it shows to cut 2 of those. A friend gave me this pattern last week, she never made it. I'm hoping there aren't any more mistakes in it.

I have this hope as well, although I did make the other side w/ the magnetic snap pocket and didn't have any issues. And, yes, cutting two of #13 is correct.
So, you cut two of #5, and then follow Becky Anderson's instructions above. I've made bags this way, so I didn't have any problems following Becky's instructions. Or, take a look at page 9, step 6 (a).(LINING/Center Zipper Section). That's how you stack the zipper and the pocket front (with interfacing) and the pocket lining (without interfacing).

I have a later revised edition of that pattern so if anyone has other issues, just let me know. It really is a great bag.

So, this might be an crazy question ... but have you thought about writing the company asking them for any corrections that they may have made to the pattern?? Most companies and or creators are happy to oblige - they may even send you an updated pattern.

I tried sending an email and contacting them via Facebook. Apparently they have sold the business. The email was returned as non-deliverable and I never got an answer from FB messenger.
I worked on the bag during my retreat this past weekend. A couple of gals had made this bag and were a big help. I didn't finish because I want to add a shoulder strap. Be aware - the handles are short. You can carry it with your hands, but the straps were not long enough to pull it up to your shoulder.
I would make a couple more changes - some of the interfaced pieces were pretty stiff - side pockets and the flap. I will probably use a softer interfacing for those. Also, I didn't like the cord situation for the side pockets, so will probably use elastic instead of the cord
Thanks for all of the comments. I doubt I would have finished it without your help.

I bought the pattern around the same time, probably 2009, and have yet to do anything with it. You are at least further along than I am!

Finished
 

I finished this today. I need to get some webbing for the shoulder strap, but other than that, it's done. Another change I would make it to use a heavier duty zipper for the main bag closure. I had a kit with all of the hardware, velcro, etc. and the 18" zipper was just a regular zipper. I would use a better zipper. But, it's done (yea)

And so very pretty. My absolute favorite color. Good Job!