Panel Market Tote

Make a market tote from a panel!
The panel needs to be approx 24" wide and the front of the bag requires 13 1/4" tall portion, the back needs a 13" tall piece. I've used the one panel for both pieces for all three of the bags I've made with this pattern. 
Initially you cut those pieces and a coordinate for the bottom of the bag, and sew the three pieces together. Then the pattern says to use either two pieces of batting or Bosal/or Soft and Stable and to quilt the the one larger piece of the front, back and bottom( which is one big rectangle at this point.  I think that a bag this size is better off with the Bosal type of product to give it more structure. 

Go according to the pattern for amounts of fabric, interfacing, Bosal, and 1 - 8" zipper. 

You can cut your pieces ahead of class, and label them, to spend more class time making the bag. 

I also have a different way of preparing the pieces for the braided handle that I think is easier. So if you are going to do the braided handles option, you will need to cut 6 - 20" x 2" pieces of fabric and 6 - 3/8" stiffer interfacing if you want them to come out like mine. I'll show you my cheater method in the class! 

So helpful would be binding clips, long pins, scissors, and thread that coordinates with your fabrics as there is some top stitching and of course, the quilting of the outside. 

I would consider this an advanced beginner class. Not super difficult, just a decent amount of steps. If you are prepped with the quilting and your cut out pieces you can definitely finish! 

It will be fun and you will probably want to make more, like me! Denise