Chic Bags: 22 Handbags, Purses and Accessories to Make

Sept 07

Making bags to go with your outfits and suitable for any occasion you can foresee is not hard - and it is a lot of fun! All you need is a sewing machine, a bit of know-how about working with fabric and away you go, making your own one-of-a-kind bags.

As this is a book first published in France expect a bit of Parisian chic! This is definitely one for the keeper shelf of any dressmaker or maker of wearable art, packed with readable instructions, useful photographic stages and a pattern at the back for every item. Simply measure up to the sizes shown (or your own requirements) and cut out in your chosen fabric. It is harder to think of a more simple book in many ways, or one that is so utterly to-the-point and useful, very akin to a paper pattern with a large number of styles. A lot of the bags are the tote style, or classic handbags rather than the evening variety so the emphasis is very much on the practical, but once you have made a couple of bags you will find yourself thinking that this bag making business is not so hard after all. A very hands-on book that contains the most generally useful - rather than frivolous - set of bags yet.

Oct 07

As I flipped through this book for the very first time I noticed how trendy and practical (lots of pockets) these bags were. When I flipped through it again searching for what I thought were the most or less interesting projects I came to the conclusion that, and I could hardly believe it, I loved each and every project in this book!

Every bag had something that made it appealing. A linen suspender satchel, a Bollywood/oriental looking reversible charmer, a fake fur tsarina bag, a bowling bag, a faux croco bag .. A lot of bags for a lot of different tastes yet all to my liking. So often only a few projects in a book look appealing to me and so I can't enjoy the fullest potential of the book but with this one I definitely could.

Just flipping through the pages and looking at these beautiful, practical and super trendy bags was fun to do. It's amazing that all these bags can be made by ME, I was like `No way! Can I make something like this myself?' Pockets on the side, pockets on the inside, separate bags, bags you can turn inside out, etc.

Everything you could ever wish for to achieve that perfect bag is in this book!

It also gets straight to the point, no long introductions, not even for the different bags so it's filled purely with essential information and colorful, very attractive photographs and illustrations to guide you step by step.

Additionally, at the end of the book, you'll find all the patterns (if needed) for the bags in this book so you can photocopy them.

Every bag lover, and every sewer who wants to make trendy items, will love and treasure this book for a really long time!

* You will need a sewing machine, just a basic one, for most of the bags in this book.

Dec 07

Most of us just can't resist a stylish new bag and with 22 projects to choose from there's sure to be something to please everyone. With designs ranging from cotton totes to fake fur extravaganzas there's a great selection of shapes and styles to suit all occasions. Scaleable patterns and templates are included in this book along with bag making basics showing how to add a variety of closures, handles, hardware and trims. Clear illustrations guide the reader through every step and the results are professional looking bags with linings, pockets, secure fastenings and stylish embellishments. Detachable purses, key rings and mobile phone cases are also included making this collection both pretty and practical for carrying all today's essentials. It's an ideal book for sewers of all levels of expertise and it includes useful tips and techniques throughout including sewing with specialist materials such as coated and textured fabrics.