This delightful collection of 30 easy-to-make bags offers step-by-step sewing projects for functional yet stylish beach bags, shoppers, duffels, clutches, bucket bags, shoulder bags, drawstring bags, book bags, messenger bags, and more.

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.

Ready to move beyond basic bags and totes? Now you can create sophisticated handbags and totes with a modern look. Learn a variety of intermediate to advanced techniques--from installing zippers and magnetic snaps to creating adjustable straps--and find detailed info on selecting the right interfacing, stabilizer, or batting for any project. Choose from 12 new designer-style bags and purses--alternate colorways provide additional inspiration Make use of clearly illustrated, well-tested patterns for sewing attractive bags Add stylish design elements that make your bags stand out: piping, three-dimensional pockets, fabric pleats, and more

This volume is an unprecedented history of Louis Vuitton’s women’s bags, the most coveted line of accessories in women’s fashion. At the heart of Louis Vuitton are its City Bags, a range of women’s bags that dates back to the turn of the twentieth century. Featuring the trademark monograms of the house, the City Bag story began with the Steamer, a resort bag designed in 1901 to be packed inside a much larger steamer trunk. These bags have in a hundred years formally diversified into a dizzying array of handbags for every conceivable function demanded by the modern woman. Profoundly influential, City Bags are now known to millions by their descriptive names (Keepall, Bucket, Papillon, Alma, Locket, Noe, Speedy) and are still evolving into more fantastical forms. Lavishly illustrated with new and archival photography, historical graphics, landmark editorials, and ad campaigns, the volume traces the history of these specific bag families, and examines the earliest specimens and today’s most sought-after collectibles, including Vuitton’s collaborations with Takashi Murakami, Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, and Rei Kawakubo and one-off projects by Zaha Hadid, Shigeru Ban, Vivienne Westwood, Helmut Lang, Andrée Putman, and of course, Marc Jacobs. Louis Vuitton: City Bags is an ambitious volume on the creation and cultivation of a cultural phenomenon.

From a stylish clutch to an eye-catching everyday purse, bags are a fabulous, fun way to accessorize. These step-by-step projects are as easy to make as they are to admire.

Reading stories is an invaluable experience for young children, helping them to develop a wide range of important skills. As well as developing listening skills, children who have regular access to stories develop an awareness of story structure, character and setting. They also begin to understand the concept of letter sounds and words printed on the page and increase their vocabulary. Offering opportunities for active, involved, cross-curricular learning, story bags help bring stories to life and offer practical ideas that serve the differing interests and learning styles of young children.