Back to school bag

I have a job this fall as a very part-time teacher, and what was my first act (basically) in preparing for this venture?!? Why, making an appropriate bag of course! This weekend was a lazy long weekend around here and so Saturday was make-a-bag day for me. It was lovely. I brainstormed and planned, cut out material and sewed all in one day, and even got to bed before midnight. It was a sewing day to remember. I also managed to fix a bag I made for my Swiss friend, but I'm still not totally happy with one part of it so I don't think I'll post pictures of it yet. I'm starting to have standards for once in my life, and have actually been taking time to take things apart and redo them if I'm not happy. I know, I'm growing up, it shocks me too.

Okay, back to the school bag. I have to admit, I love this bag. This fabric is so great, and I told myself to take my time and do it WELL, as I want it to be sturdy and reliable for toting all my school stuff. I went with a flap on this one and lined the whole bag with interfacing to make it a bit stiffer and stronger, and I like those two changes quite a bit, for what I'll be using it for. There's a little cell phone pocket on the side, for my (thankfully) small cell phone as it is a bit smaller than I thought it would be, but it works! It's basically the same as my diaper bags except for being a bit wider and having a flap. I'd love any feedback on it, and how it compares to the others...I'm starting to get more interested in maybe selling these but it would only be on a small scale right now and I have no idea how I'd charge. It takes me quite a while to plan and cut and sew a bag, not to mention picking out fabric. But it is also such a fun hobby that I could see myself doing this more...anyway, here's the bag.

Side cell phone pocket...Four inside elasticized pockets, two on each end and a big one on one side divided in half. And then a front flat pocket, for my photocopies, etc.There I am, off to school! Don't worry, I'll change out of my jeans and sweatshirt first...
(I feel I should give the lovely Jill Zurzolo a bit of credit for some of my brainstorming...she makes very amazing, beautiful bags and I've borrowed the elastic pockets and interfacing ideas from her. Check out her link on the side bar for more of her lovely stuff!)