Designing a tote to hang on waist

[kalispunk]

I need some advice because I'm going to the International Quilt Show in Long Beach next month and I have major problems with my shoulders and back. I'm trying to figure out how to carry literature,purchases, etc.

I've tried backpacks but they put too much strain on me plus I can't put stuff in them very easily. Tote bags and purses weigh down my shoulders and cause neck spasms.

The only thought I had was to make something along the line of saddle bags that would rest my waist and hips instead of on my back and shoulders. Have you ever seen such a thing? Maybe I could make tote bags that attach somehow to a belt? How would I do that?

Thanks!

[Littlebit]

Do you have a fanny pack? Maybe you could cut the belt off of it and sew a tote onto the belt part and use a velcro closure or something to keep it closed. Or maybe you could make something inline like the contruction workers use for their tools. Use a belt and make belt holes through the tote on one side to hold around your waist and again use velcro or button to close - does this make any sense?? )

[sewcarolyn]

here are some you could use for a starting point
sorry the hot links are not working

http://www.rei.com/product/745643
http://www.rei.com/product/768041

they are designed for weight balance while hiking

[Evie]

Check out these websites:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2085917_sew-fan ... -pack.html

http://www.sewthankful.com/LazyGirlFann ... ttern.html

http://www.junglestuff.com/ci_fanny.php ... _fanny.php

http://www.elizabethlee.com/patterns/ya ... age202.htm

http://www.bettzdesigns.com/shop/?cat=4 ... t=4&shop=1

http://www.creationssewclever.com/produ ... ductID=757

[quiltwithmom]

I like the idea of using a fanny pack and attaching a tote to it. You could use both so don't cut off the fanny pack. The fanny pack you could use for your personal items like cash! And then the tote for your stash. Not sure how to explain it but I'll bet you will figure something out real soon.