The homemade and the handmade have been called "the fashions that never die." With the explosion in crafted accessories as the proven retail success of the last decade, an increasing number of beginners are creating their own pieces. In Quilted Bags with Style, designer Ellen Kharade showcases 25 charming, contemporary designs in this collection of bags for all occasions. Suitable for beginners and experienced stitchers alike, Ellen reveals how to use inexpensive materials to turn a bundle of scraps into a truly personal heirloom gift. Clear step-by-step artworks illustrate every project, and Ellen also includes advice on how to pick fabrics that work well together and on the best materials to use, and tips on how to make your bags sturdy and long-lasting. Sections range from shoppers and totes to smart formal bags, as well as a section on creating embellished gifts and delicately precious evening bags. Using many traditional quilting patterns and stitches, and including templates, every project can be completed in a weekend. - Clear step-by-step artworks, templates, and a techniques section offer start-to-finish expert instruction. - The homemade trend continues to be highly popular. - Embellished accessories are the retail success story of this decade; this book shows you how to create these hand-crafted pieces yourself, with a variety of finishes, from ethnic to sparkle and vintage styles.

Full-color, illustrated instructions for creating over twenty quilted purses, handbags, and totes, with additional information on materials and basic design techniques.

In Sew Beautiful Quilted Bags, Japanese quilt artist Akemi Shibata combines elegant yarn-dyed fabrics with colour prints to demonstrate her signature patchwork style. With an astounding 28 hand-quilted designs, you'll discover a trove of unique bags to make in all shapes and sizes including purses, pouches, shoulder bags, backpacks, sewing cases, cross-body bags, totes and more! Learn how to incorporate multiple techniques into the same project to create sophisticated, multifaceted designs featuring patchwork, applique, embroidery, beadwork and hand quilting. Full of ingenious Japanese construction methods, you'll learn how to create beautifully finished bags that can be considered works of art.

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

The tradition of patchwork and quilted items goes back hundreds of years and most often conveys a sense of warmth and comfort. While the bold and bright designs in this book are meant for the modern crafter, that inherent sense of warmth is still expressed in these unique and stunning projects. Created in the distinctive Japanese craft style--and published in English for the first time--the projects in this book offer a look that is minimal, yet vibrant and full of life. Explore the techniques of patchwork sewing, appliqu , and machine quilting through thirty-five simple and stunning projects. With beautiful photographs, step-by-step instructions, and detailed diagrams, the pouches and handbags, quilts and pillowcases, tissue cases and pot holders are perfect projects for beginner and intermediate sewers. Make the projects in this book and add a little bit of warmth and patchwork style to your life.

In Sew Beautiful Quilted Bags, Japanese quilt artist Akemi Shibata combines elegant yarn-dyed fabrics with color prints to create her signature patchwork style. With an astounding 28 designs, you'll discover a trove of unique bag shapes and sizes, including purses, pouches, shoulder bags, backpacks, sewing cases, cross-body bags, totes, and more! Learn how to incorporate multiple techniques into the same project to create sophisticated, multifaceted designs featuring patchwork, applique, embroidery, beadwork, and hand quilting. Full of ingenious Japanese construction methods, you'll learn how to create beautifully finished bags that could be considered works of art.

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.

Make roomy totes, a fun way to play with color and pattern.

Patchwork Quilted Bags helps you create unique bags that put a little charm into your wardrobe. Full-sized quilting patterns and step-by-step instructions for 19 different projects, along with techniques for assembling the perfect patch, make this quilting book ideal for novice and practiced crafters alike. Projects range in size from large totes to small pouches in a zakka vein. With Patchwork Quilted Bags you can make: A bird-themed travel bag An elegant lace-rimmed bucket bag A colorful clasp purse A round bag/basket A fold-away eco bag A baby bag with bottle "cozy" Adorable animal-themed totes A Union-Jack themed pouch And more! This colorful and user-friendly quilting book shows you lots of creative ways to use every type of patch from squares to yoyos, and every type of print from florals to newsprint. Pages showcasing different patchwork quilts add inspiration for mixing traditional and contemporary forms. It's the perfect way to have fun with fabric and make a practical work of art.

Foreword by Rachael Ray Dress for success: A renowned television beauty and fashion guru provides women with a head-to-toe makeover for projecting—and attracting—success at every turn. Transform your style, transform your life: Gretta Monahan is Rachael Ray’s on-air resident style, beauty, and fashion consultant, with a host of celebrity clients who rely on her expertise to stay on the A-list. However, Gretta’s style principals aren’t just for celebrities—anyone can learn how to dress for success in their work or personal life. Making Gretta’s winning approach available to all, Style and the Successful Girl is both a style guide and a full-color fashion book, packed with stories, sidebars, and photos to help every reader discover and create her own style visions. From choosing the right undergarment to accessories and work attire, Gretta demonstrates not only how to fashion a wardrobe but also how to use your clothes to communicate confidence and style.