Sew stylish shoulder bags, totes, clutches, and drawstring bags! Whether you're a total beginner or a confident sewist who loves to finish a project in one sitting, you'll love this modern collection of thirteen bags you can truly make your own. Turn flat fabric into handbags of any shape when you learn the basics of construction, transferring a pattern, and finishing details. A must-have primer for the beginning sewist!

The ultimate guide to sewing bags from expert Lisa Lam, whose technical knowledge, creative flair and enthusiasm have helped and inspired thousands while promoting the craft of bag-making worldwide. Whether you are getting started, improving your technique or want to design your own creations, this is the book you will grab for every bag you make! Detailed photographs illustrate every technique in this unique book, from choosing fabric to inserting fastenings. Expert tips, trade secrets and inspirational advice result in professional and beautiful results every time, allowing you to create a capsule wardrobe of eight exclusive bag designs which will amaze your friends – they will never believe you made it yourself! Lisa's helpful and friendly tone comes through in her instructions, and it really feels like you have an expert by your side holding you hand every step of the way. She starts with the basics of how to read and interpret patterns, how to prepare and cut fabrics, and how to select the right interfacings and interlinings for your bags, then moves on to more specific techniques in each chapter. The Structure and Reinforcement chapter covers how to sew darts, pleats, gussets, flat bottoms and gathers – showing you in detail how to sew these features. The Linings chapter reveals how to insert zip pockets into your linings, as well as different methods of inserting a bag lining. The Closures chapter explains how to insert a zip in three different scenarios, plus how to insert magnetic snap fastenings, twist lock fastenings, and how to use eyelets and rivets. The Handles and Straps chapter teaches you six different types of straps, from making simple straps to adjustable straps and even designer looking piped handles. The Pockets chapter contains a wealth of different pocket types, showing you how to sew a slip pocket to sewing roomy bellows pockets, elasticized pockets and darted corner pockets. Finally, the Edgings and Trimmings chapter reveals how to bind raw edges for a professional finish, including how to make bias binding, and also shows you how to sew piping and how to use ribbon, jewellery and embellishments on your bags. At the end of each chapter there is a bag project to make so you can put the techniques into practice straight away. These exciting and desirable designs are explained in full detail, with helpful photographs to guide you every step of the way. Starting with how to make a tote bag, the projects build in complexity. You will learn how to make a clutch bag, how to sew a messenger bag, how to make a hobo bag, how to make a travel holdall bag and more. Crucially, the pull-out pattern sheet gives full-size patterns, meaning there is no resizing or photocopying to do – you can get straight into cutting and sewing bags. This one-of-a-kind book is the ultimate guide to bag-making and an invaluable resource that you will reach for time and time again. "An amazing sewing education coupled with beautiful bags that of course, you can customize!" Amy Butler.

“Applicable to a variety of projects despite the handbag focus, this spirited primer will leave readers feeling well-prepared and ready to start sewing.” —Publishers Weekly Sew stylish shoulder bags, totes, clutches, and drawstring bags! Whether you’re a total beginner or a confident sewist who loves to finish a project in one sitting, you’ll love this modern collection of thirteen bags you can truly make your own. Turn flat fabric into handbags of any shape when you learn the basics of construction, transferring a pattern, and finishing details. A must-have primer for the beginning sewist! “Not only does this book have 13 cute and unique bags, but Hilarie also gives insight on how to think like a designer, and some really cute embellishments . . . If you have sewn before, but have never made a bag this will be great, and if you have made multiple bags and are looking to improve your skills this is also great!” —Brooklyn Sewcial “Full of different styles of bags that are fun and easy to make for yourself or as gifts! . . . All of the patterns and designs are easy to customize.” —Needle, Ink and Thread “One of my favorite parts of the book, however, was the section where Hilarie writes about learning ‘How to think like a designer.’ She gives several exercises that help spur one’s creativity.” —The Sewing Room

With Kristine Poor's 9 innovative designs for intermediate stitchers, favorite textiles are transformed into original quilted bags. Groceries, portfolios, gym clothes, books, diapers - no matter what needs to be toted, a quilted bag can handle the job. With one of these fabric bags, shoppers now can just say no to paper and plastic bags. This book has a pocket-sized accessory bag, an oversized duffle, a feminine handbag, a backpack, and lots of totes that are ready to go anywhere. All designs are quilted, and some feature piecework.

Sewing can be as easy as 1-2-3 with this helpful building-block approach—includes thirty-three projects! In this creative teaching book, craft blogger Ellen Luckett Baker offers a wholly unique approach to sewing: She presents projects in groups of three, each building on the techniques used in the project before. Baker shows, for example, how to sew a glasses case, then build on those skills to create a zippered pouch, and from there, make a more advanced cosmetics bag. There are thirty-three delightful projects in all, ranging from clothing to decor and accessories. This very special ebook includes easy-to-follow instructions, how-to illustrations, and instructions for how to print the patterns, making it an essential resource for beginning and intermediate sewers alike.

Discover dozens of fun-and-fast NEW ways to sew adorable accents, accessories, and gifts for every occasion including weddings, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas and more -- using odds and ends and scraps you have on hand plus our fast, foolproof patterns and instructions.

Show off your love for handmade with these new, colorful quilt projects from Possibilities. Stitch up rays of sunshine, leafy green trees, and delightful dancers to warm up your home and share your heart with family and friends.

Toys, bags, bookmarks—quick and delightfully quirky projects for sewing enthusiasts young and old. With no more than felt and thread, Kata Golda creates toys and practical items for the home that are undeniably charming, stylish, and sweetly imperfect. Her whimsical creations have been selling at high-end boutiques for several years, and now, in Kata Golda’s Hand-Stitched Felt, she shows crafters of all skill levels how to make 25 of her favorites. Ranging from children’s finger puppets and a tooth-fairy pillow to photo “brag” books, messenger bags, and curtains and blankets, most of these projects can be completed in an hour or less. They are made from basic shapes of wool felt sewn together and customized with unique details, all using simple, large stitches. Step-by-step instructions and templates, along with adorable photos and hand-drawn illustrations, make each project simple to replicate. Playful tutorials, such as how to personalize projects with a variety of facial expressions, add to the charm of this delightful book.

Make your own charming purse, tote, clutch, satchel or eco tote with this fashionable bag making book. Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics offers patterns for twenty-five basic bag styles along with sixty variations and the know-how to customize each bag to suit any style—from sweet-and innocent to minimalist to counter-culture. There is no better project for the eco-conscious crafter than a simple cloth bag. In addition to bag sewing patterns, basic sewing lessons teach the fundamentals of bag sewing: Hand-stitching, including French knot stitch and daisy stitch Lining and drawstring casing Corners, edges and straps Simple flourishes such as embroidery, applique and more Emiko Takahashi, a fashion and textile designer, provides easy instructions and bag sewing diagrams, as well as a sheet of full-sized pattern pieces for each handmade bag project—plus easy lessons on the basics of hand-stitching drawstring casings, corners, edges, straps, and simple flourishes. Cotton and linen bags are always useful, and they lend a carefree, laid-back touch to any warm-weather outfit. Each bag can be machine-sewn, but they are designed to be made in natural fabrics that are lightweight enough to be easily sewn by hand. With Takahashi's expert guidance, beginning sewers with little or no previous experience can learn to make these understated and elegant handbags. 25 Sewing patterns to do 60 different projects including: Envelope Pouches Bucket Bags Picnic Totes Sacks and Carryalls Classic Drawstrings

Fresh ideas abound in this amazingly varied assortment of sewn and quilted items for gift giving or personal use. Get lots of choice and loads of value with 25 unique patterns for sewing Sew gifts such as a pencil case, knitting needle case, makeup bag, aprons, pin cushions, pillows, and more Discover handmade projects from a host of talented designers, including Adrienne Smitke, Heather Jones, and Pippa Eccles Armbrester