After about 2 hours, I thought...perhaps that smaller bag would be better after all.
No! I decided to do the actual pattern and that's what I'll do!...and off to class I went. 1,440 inches of fabric, 2 bags of nylon rope, lots of "un-sewing", multiple bobbin refills, a sore wrist and lots of laughs later I was able to complete 1/2 the bag.
Homework includes to finish covering the rope with fabric, complete the bag and have it ready for lining and handles by Wednesday. Should be a fun weekend :-). I did learn some new tricks so shouldn't be a problem.
Thank you to Ashley at Great Harvest in Warrenton for a most excellent BLT, the ladies in the class, Kelly Ann's Quilting for hosting the class, and a special Thanks to Lynne for her bag lady teaching skills. Without her I would have never started this club.
Thanks Lynne!! :-)