An exploration of the role of the handbag in the history of culture, fashion, and material production

Handbag Designer 101 is the bible for handbag designers or women who aspire to make their own bags. Included in the book are instructions for creating the fifteen essential bag styles—clutch, hobo, tote, and more—made simple with easy-to-follow how-to illustrations, suggested difficulty levels, and color photography. Advice from famous bag designers and today’s hottest indie designers accompany each pattern.Also included is the inside scoop on turning your handbag hobby into a successful business. From designing, to making, to marketing, Handbag Designer 101 teaches you everything you need to know.

For anyone who feels she can never have too many handbags, this book is for you. Crafters, sewers, and lovers of handbags and leather goods are invited to take a one-on-one course in handbag and accessory construction and design with this new title. Written by three accomplished professors from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, this book takes a fun approach to fashionable designs that are not only beautiful but also simple to create. Learn to construct fabulous handbags as well as other related accessories including cell phone cases, eyeglass cases, a belt and belt bag, wallets, an agenda book cover, and a cosmetic case. All projects are made from garment weight leathers and can be created on a typical home sewing machine. Numerous photos, step-by-step illustrations, and, best of all, insiderÆs tips for constructing these pieces and customizing the patterns to your own personal style are included.

Grab your leather working tools and get started making yourself some great new leather items you'll be proud to carry! Well-crafted leather pieces are always in vogue. And minimalist modern styles are easy to make following the step-by-step instructions and templates provided in Making Leather Bags, Wallets, and Cases. From statement handbags to chic wallets, eyeglass cases, portfolios, and more, this book includes projects even a novice leather worker can make but that look so high-end people will be astonished if you tell them you made it yourself.

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!

This volume offers more than 50 handbags to sew, knit, or crochet - from basic hard-working everyday styles to glamorous evening bags. Patterns and step-by-step instructions are included, with tips on designing, choosing materials, plus adding decorative and durable linings.

Presents instructions and patterns for creating a variety of handbags, inspired by fashions from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Learn the art of creating elegant accessories from genuine leather with this inspiring guide. Handmade Leather Bags & Accessories shows you how to make classic handbags and accessories with a decidedly modern flair. Gifted fashion designer Ke Yi Lun shares 28 simple strategies for enhancing your wardrobe with fashion-forward luxuries at a fraction of what you'd pay in fine stores.Even if you've never tried leatherworking before, you'll be surprised at how much fun it is to make durable and sophisticated bags using these basic techniques. Gorgeous photographs, step-by-step diagrams, and easy-to-follow instructions make it easy! Create a chic purse or shoulder bag to go with every outfit. Find fresh and fabulous ideas for satchels, hobos, messenger bags and totes. Learn to make chic and urbane accessories for every taste, including iPad holders, business card cases, coasters, key ring tabs and much more.Inside Handmade Leather Bags & Accessories you'll find:" How To Make Elegant Upscale Leather Bags " High-End Accessories Without the High-End Price Tag" Purses, Shoulder Bags, Satchels, Hobos, Messenger Bags and Totes" iPad Holders, Business Card Cases, Coasters and Key Ring Tabs" Step-by-Step Diagrams and Easy-to-Follow Instructions" Gorgeous, Inspiring Color Photographs

This vintage collection of articles offers insights into the fundamental practice of leathercraft, with a special focus on the leather bag. This early text on leather craft includes historical articles that would be both expensive and hard to find. It contains easy to follow instructions on making leather gloves, and of the designs and techniques involved. Contents include: Leather Crafting; Applied Leathercraft - Chris Groneman; Be Clever With Leather - C W Read; Leather Bags and Purses - Elise Mochrie; Leathercraft - Robert Thompson; Leatherwork - F J Christopher. Extensively illustrated with instructional diagrams and photographs, it is suited to the leatherwork novice and enthusiast alike, with many details still of practical use today. We are republishing this rare work in a high quality, modern and affordable edition, featuring reproductions of the original artwork and a newly written introduction.