pumpkinpatchquilter

Thank you for all the replies and great advice. This makes me feel much more confident that the bags I'm making will hold up - and I like the idea about doing the straps that go all the way around for extra support. GOOD idea!

I made this one yesterday, for my Mom. My parents are my best customers so far! LOL* They ordered a set of placemats off of Etsy from me and then a few days ago my Dad placed an order for this tote for my Momma...he is surprising her at work today with it. I hope she likes it! I feel confident it will last for her then after all your comments. :)

OH - and thank you for the compliments on my daughters tote!! I really like it too, and she loves it! She is 9 and just started cheerleading this year so I thought she might feel like it was too "babyish" for her, but she carries it EVERYWHERE. Momma feels good about that... ;)

TanyaL

I use my totes for carrying groceries and other purchases. They are made out of parachute fabric, super strong, super light and fold up very small. The handle goes across the bottom for extra support. I have a set of 5 that fold up into a very small pouch that snaps onto my purse handle. They can carry as many groceries as I used to put into 20! plastic bags. They were a gift from my daughter. They are the handiest thing I own and I wouldn't take $100 for them but I think she paid $35 for them. The aren't quilted but are of very bright, bold and fun prints. The big advantage is that until I want to use them they are in this super small pouch. They wash like a dream. If I can lift it, they can hold it. I can't praise them enough. I haven't carried a regular tote bag since I got them; I have about 5 gathering dust in my closet.

MTS

:thumbup: Great idea.

Are French seams stronger?

amma

Your bags are beautiful! The fabrics are so pretty :D:D:D

PaperPrincess

When it comes to tote bags I try and err in the direction of over-construction. I use felled seams, and if I don't make the handles go all the way under the bag, I extend them at least an inch into the bag and secure with boxed X stitching: Sew a square just smaller than the width of the handles, then sew an "X" across the box.
I made a bag for a friend, actually, it was just a fabric gift bag, embroidered with her initials to hold her real gift, made out of cotton. Since it was just the gift wrapping, I didn't make it too strong. A few months later, she brought it to me to fix because the side seam had come loose. I almost fainted when she told me she was carrying books AND her laptop in it!

PaperPrincess

Also, here are my favorite sites for free patterns. You can take a look at the patterns for construction tips.
http://pursepatterns.com/free_bag_patterns.html
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projec...terns_ss1.html
http://www.allcrafts.net/sewing/pursesew.htm

Leota

I made a tote in my sewing 101 class in 1998...nothing fancy, just to learn the basics of sewing and how to use the different commercial machines... Used it for two years as a purse...we all know the trauma/abuse our purses take.... used it forever as a book tote ... still going strong with absolutely no sign of wear....when it get's grungy, toss it in the washer with the towels or blue jeans (it's black) and it look brand new :).... yea, I say they hold up...

Butterflyblue

I've sewn five or six totes for myself for groceries and one quilted purse tote. I always use the method of securing handles posted by PaperPrincess (boxed x stitching), and they have held up well after MANY loads of groceries. I use the purse tote to carry my laptop sometimes.

PaperPrincess

Oh, one more thing I thought of. If possible, avoid a bottom seam. Make the front and back from a single piece of fabric. This is not always possible, due to fabric with directional prints or if the bag is pieced, but i always at least try and do this with the lining.

pjustice63

The only thing I would recommend is use a stabilizer in it to make it stronger if you are in doubt.