I'm going to make a tote bag for my SIL, who is a quilter. If someone were making you a tote bag, which pattern would you hope they used?

I have been looking at these two, but would love other suggestions:

Charming Tote Bag
(the large tote with the prairie points)

and

Sausalito

I like the Bowtuck bags for a tote :D:D:D

I love prairie points, but does this one have pockets? Either one would make a nice tote.

There are hundreds of free ones on line, I used to sell them to the nurses at work. Also if you see a pocketbook pattern you like you can enlarge it too. Do a search online bet you can spend all night looking lol.
Rae

I've been making totes for about a year now. Here is one that I have made. I like this one because the straps are just a continuous piece that attaches across the bottom. It has 3 pockets on the front and the back. It measures 18 x 20 inches and is big enough that I can carry a storage box like you would use for scrapbooking only I use it to carry my quilting books, fabrics, templates, or whatever I need for a quilting class.

Well, just finished my first bowtuck and they are very roomy - so I will have to say bowtuck tote.

I like the juliet bag:
http://meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/?p=1435

or my vacation tote:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-57549-1.htm

The "schlep bag" is my favorite.
http://www.passion4sewing.com/image/schlepbag.pdf

You can make it with charm squares or any other size squares or blocks that you want, so it's good for scraps and orphan blocks or just pretty fabric.

I sent the last two swap hostesses these bags in sewing theme fabrics and all the little pockets and compartments had stuff in them, from quilting magazines to notions and tools.

In addition to the cotton batt and muslin on the inside, I usually put heavyweight interfacing in the second row of squares from the bottom to give the bag body and shape and make it stand up by itself.

I line the bag separately, although if you were to use a serger with pretty thread and pretty fabric on both sides of the squares, you could use this pattern to make a reversible tote without a lining.

I like to put a stiff divider and all kinds of pockets and zipper compartments in them and on the outside of the bag.

cherylynne, I don't know...I couldn't find a clear picture or description of it. It's really pretty, but I wish I could find a better description. I can't even find the finished size.

Tsanchez, that's a great size tote, and I love all the pockets.

Amma and Otis, I didn't realize the Bow Tucks were tote-size. Hmm...something to think about.

jetnica, thanks for the link to your tutorial.

thepolyparrot, thanks for the link...love all those outter pockets!

raedar63, yes I know there are hundreds online...I'm dizzy from looking at most of them. That's why I want to know what your favorites are.

I just use a basic tote pattern and tweek it to what I need it for. I add inner/outer pockets, ribbon leash for keys or scissors, etc. If i want it for knitting, i add a piece of fabric like I would for a pocket and stitch vertical lines an inch apart to form pockets for needles.