Here is the second bag. As you can see I embellished the design with tiny matching seed beads. Both bags are lined with coordinating materials.

Make it all the color of the top and bottom. Sew your middle color over on the center. Measure where you want it down from the top. Turn and press the middle piece 1/2 inch under on top and bottom and stitch with a double seam like you see on jeans. Then sew up the sides matching the center seams. If you want a flat bottom. Turn the bag inside out, match your side seams with the center of the bottom and pin it across making a triangle, then stitch across from side to side. The strap can be strapping you buy at a fabric store or made from your material. If you make it from your material, back it with heavy interfacing. Sew it together and turn it out the right way--the rubber end of a pencil can help with this. Keep the seam at one side of the strap and stitch in 1/4 inch on both sides. The straps can start at canter bottom and go all around the bag. Overlap on the bottom by a few inches. Sew the strap on on both sides of the strap. Following the stitching lines already there if you are using material. I suggest you do some measuring to make sure the strap is the right length. A heavy card or plastic covered in your lining material will keep the bottom flat. I hope this helps If you have trouble post again and I'll try to help

I got the bags at a local promotional products company (I happen to have a friend working there). They are canvas oilcloth and look a bit like the LL Bean totes but were much cheaper. It was cheaper to get one color silkscreen instead of many, and my friend matched the pantone color of the bag and went a bit darker for the screen, she also did the design. It's crazy how cheap you can get those boat totes wholesale!! Just for example, check out this link. Some of them are minimum orders of like, 50, but you can get as low as 12 as a minimum order. Update: In the end I decided not to stuff the bags as I didn't want to seem too extravagant. I gave them out last night and the ladies said they were really thrilled! One even started crying -- but she is 8 months pregnant ;)

Love all these suggestions-- i am in the market for a good tote also so I will have to return when i have more time! Finallyhome. i love that bag and the color-- but dooney and bourke tend to be sooo heavy! Have you tried that one or seen it in person? Sue/Allison .. i am a long time Hammitt lover! One of my local boutiques used to carry them. I have wanted the one Sue linked (but in black with either silver or gold hardware).. or the similar larger style. I just never got to the place to justify it. I have a reason for some retail therapy-- so maybe today is the day i can justify it??? Bumble, I really like your choices for hauling.. they wont work for my current needs but i like them for hauling stuff between my house and family members' houses. Did you order the American Bench Craft bag from etsy? I'd love to hear what you think of it!