Questions on tote bags
 

I need ideas/opinions on what features to add to a tote bag I am making for my DD. She has accepted a position as an 8th grade teacher for the next school year and wants a tote for school. I have asked her what she wants and she is absolutely no help, leaving it entirely up to me. I want to put a large pocket on both outside pieces, big enough for papers....and pockets all the way around the inside about 10" deep. I don't think it needs any zippered pockets like a purse, but what am I missing? I am going to use 1" nylon webbing for the straps, sewn from the very bottom seam for extra strength. I am not using a specific pattern, so I can add whatever seems appropriate. TIA

I think one zippered pocket on the inside, large enough for something she might not want seen at once, a good option.
Also a D ring or place to clip keys.

maybe a loop for keys

The professional tote is a great bag, but it does have lots of pattern pieces. I have used mine for years.
http://thecreativethimble.com/shop/professional-tote/

Put in a loop near the bottom to hold her water/coffee mug so it won't tip over. Of course you could also put it on the outside. Just something I really use.

Maybe add a flap that can hold the sides together - especially if it's a very large bag.

I would also add a small pocket that could be securely closed with velcro or a zipper to hold a phone or money - and I would put it on the inside of the bag.

For those times when both hands are full, I'd also want a large D-ring at the top of each side and a removable longer strap to carry it across the body like a messenger bag, less chance of slipping off the shoulders.

A row of pen/pencil holders, some sized larger for markers.

It all depends on how she wants to use her tote. When I taught I had a tote for each day of the week. I used them for keeping homework to grade. That way I kept track of when the homework was turned in. Students couldn't say they handed them in on Tuesday if their papers were in the Thursday bag.

I personally hate those nylon web handles. They are very hard on my hands especially when there is weight in the tote. I love handles made with fabric and fusible fleece, they are super soft on the hands.

I say a zippered top. If it gets full, or you have something in there you don't want the kids to see, you can zip it up. A elastic top pocket on one end for a bottle of water.

Pockets on the outside of the ends of the bag are also very handy for slipping in small items which can be retrieved in a hurry without having to go to the main part of the bag and rummage.

P.S I have just had a look at the suggested link above and I note that that tote has the outside pockets that I was referring to. Very handy indeed.

I was going to say the same thing about the nylon web. If you don't want to make straps use the cotton webbing. It is much kinder to hands. I personally would want a zipper on the top. Even if she overfills it and can't zip she will have the option for other times (especially during bad weather)

I would be sure the bottom is reinforced so it can support the weight.

Choose a fabric that will help conceal dirt and stains.

I agree with alikigirl on choosing this pattern. I was a college instructor and found this tote to be versital enough for anything I needed to carry.

I am a former teacher. The first thing that came to my mind is to make sure the straps are wide enough and strong enough. School bags can get very heavy. Thin straps cut into your hands or shoulders. Make sure the straps are long enough so the bag can be carried on her shoulder. I liked straps about 2 inches wide. I liked a zippered pocket or two for keys, personal items, and other small items that could get lost or misplaced. I got to the point where my bag was my purse. Teachers always have pens, pencils, paper clips, etcetera in their bags. My favorite bag had a zipper to close the main compartment and a flap to cover the whole thing including outside compartments, kind of like a messenger bag, to keep things dry and secure in bad weather. I did not like outside compartments that did not close because things could fall out of the bag when it fell over.

I make my inside pockets one long strip that actually goes into the side seams....sew in between to accommodate cell phone/small pads/pens/etc. I reinforce my pockets with batting but make sure the portion that goes into the side seams does not have batting. I actually kind of stitch in the ditch and topstitch the pocket before I sew it to the inside lining... I always add a good size key fob and hook. I am actually thinking at this point of adding key fob on each side since I get tired of having to fight with two sets of keys (house and car) on the same key fob hook...LOL...I enjoy making totes for loved ones and have made many. I never use a pattern just make up as I go...Love using Batik charm squares and using simple embroidery stitches as quilting around the squares. Wish I knew how to upload pictures to this QB but I don't. Everyone here has been so helpful.

I use cotton webbing most of the time but never use it without covering it with fabric. If you like soft you can put a piece of batting on top of it before folding it over. I use grosgrain ribbon on the underside and sew decorative stitches on each side of the ribbon to finish it off nicely. Makes for a very strong and pretty handle. I learned this process from a Nancy Zieman video...she is the best.

I use the nylon web for handles, but cover it with a couple of layers of fabric. Softens it, but has the strength needed for a heavy bag. And she will have a heavy bag. (I taught many years. Any bag gets heavy.)
Unless you've made quite a few totes, you might want to steer clear of the Professional Tote. It is a lovely bag and very useful, but it's a real bear to make. It broke my mojo for making totes. Just check the pattern before you buy.

I have a friend who uses the Bow Tucks bag that I gave her to carry her teaching supplies and items back and forth. However, in the past I have used heavy outdoor fabrics for tote bags, which are really sturdy. I would find a great fabric for the outside, making large pockets on either side deep enough for papers and folders. Inside I would use pockets all around the inside of the bag, and possibly adding a zippered pocket for items you don't want to lose. I would probably add a key ring, loop or something similar with a clip to hold your keys, which invariably go to the bottom of the bag. I would also add a sturdy insert in the bottom of the bag for extra strength. I've used plastic canvas covered with cotton batting, then covered with matching fabric to the bag, and some people use the plastic cutting boards you can get at the dollar store. I'm sure she's going to love whatever you do and you have lots of ideas here on the QB to help make decisions for what your bag will be.

Does she need a bag that can also protect a laptop??

Absolutely agree on a key loop and an elastic strap inside to hold water. For measurements, use a one inch binder to measure on of the outside pockets. That will give you the depth needed for packets of papers. I would also include a matching smaller bag that has a plastic lining in case she wants to bring a snack to work. When my girls were in college I made the several totes so they could grab stuff for a class and run - no need to search for books or swap out backpacks.

I don't like the feel of the nylon web, so I recover it in quilter quality fabric. Keeps the nylon strength, but feels better in my hand. Also gives me more flexibility in color choice since I only have three different colored rolls of the stuff. Hot pink, teal, and purple.

When I taught, I liked a bag in which workbooks/folders/papers could lay flat on the bottom. I hated having to stand them up or have the sides curl up because they couldn't lay flat.

Thanks for this link!! Have not come across The Creative Thimble before, but I love the look of that tote - have just ordered the mini tote pattern :)

This kit looked pretty cool and easy enough. Saw it when looking at the other pattern. http://quiltkitcentral.com/products/...it-14-x-16-x-6

I made this one--my first real tote. I wrote about it here on QB. I put quite a few pictures on the post.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t226830.html

Your bag is really lovely - I'm looking forward to having a go when my pattern arrives! Thank you for the link too, I had a read through and will also have a look into the 'soft and stable' instead of fusible interfacing which was mentioned...

You are in Indy and if she is too, it rains often there. Well at least some of the time. How about adding a place on the outside that would hold an umbrella, in case she is caught in a storm and perhaps a pocket for a water bottle. That is how I am making mine. You could use a tab with a snap or elastic to keep it snug at the top.

I made this tote a few years ago out of light weight upholstery fabric and a nylon faux suede. I used a light weight iron on fusible. I called it my "Carpetbag!" I used it as a carryon for a trip to London and Paris. I could put all kinds of things in it: all traveling papers, place for water bottles, books, food, extra clothing, valuables and it still fit under the seat. You would be surprised at the space. BTW. I left my purse at home on purpose.... It is a little time consuming but nothing the average sewer couldn't handle.. just label things as u cut them... Funny thing, my daughter just asked me to make her a new tote bag as she is a Wilton Cake decorator instructor. This bag immediately came to mind but I couldn't remember the name of it. so Thanks! for re-freshing my memory!

What colors does she like? I would make something strong & durable of a dark color combo.