Brilliant Bags

The crafting superstar and author of Love to Sew shares 12 customizable bag projects plus tips and techniques for creating your own designs. It can be difficult to find just the right bag design: you might want the shape and pockets of one combined with the size and handles of another. But how do you put all these different elements together to create your perfect bag? Debbie Shore teaches you how in Sew Brilliant Bags. Her friendly advice and step-by-step instructions make it easy to create these designs or mix and match the techniques, ideas, or fabrics to make your own creation. Debbie offers a wide variety of projects, including a large, square-bottomed beach bag, a zipped, curved-top shoulder bag, an oilcloth tote, a pleated cosmetic bag, and a three-pocket cross-body bag with a magnetic fastener. She also covers a range of techniques, from adding piping and making eyelets to inserting zips, adding handles and straps, and creating a square bag base.

Whether you are looking for something to make in a day to take out that evening, or a more complex project to lavish time and effort on, 'Brilliant Bags' is packed with inspiration and ideas to create bags that balance beauty with practicality.

Create 15 stunning tote bag designs using two reusable templates. The 15 tote bag designs are created using the templates contained within the book. Using two templates, you can create 15 very different bags; each made using different techniques, pockets, straps and fastenings, to create 15 very different results. The templates can also be used for your own further design variations, as you mix and match the techniques covered within the book; Debbie gives advice on how to adapt and create your own unique designs. Each project in the book is explained using Debbie’s trademark style and step-by-step photography, and there is also a comprehensive techniques section and a guide to using the templates.

Sew a range of 20 beautiful, colorful bags, from totes and backpacks to clutches and shoulder bags. Add a gorgeous finishing touch to any outfit! This mouthwateringly colorful book contains 20 beautiful bags to sew from popular designer Debbie von Grabler-Crozier. It includes a huge variety of different styles and sizes, from totes and bucket bags to backpacks, clutches and shoulder bags, and Debbie makes each one easy. The book contains a complete guide to all the techniques needed, shown using easy-to-follow step-by-step photography; also included is a section on creating beautiful finishing touches, including embroidery, applique, crocheted flowers, beaded charms and labelling. All the templates required are included on a handy pull-out sheet. "Author von Grabler-Crozier provides clear instructions for crafting deceptively simple bags so even beginners will be inserting pockets and zippers like a pro. The author of a craft blog, Pretty Things, she has assembled patterns for 20 bags made out of many pieces, which is perfect for using scraps or fat quarters, while also opening up infinite options for color and pattern mixing, even though she includes the specific fabrics she used for each bag so that crafters can, if they wish, follow her vibrant examples. In addition to a list of supplies and tools needed to create each bag and its accompanying embellishments, von Crozier- Grabler includes directions for inserting a zipper or tackling free-motion embroidery. All of her instructions are precise and specific, making the assembly of a multipocketed, zippered diaper bag with a removable strap totally doable. And there are also patterns for simpler bags. Other projects include a wristlet, several totes, purses, a backpack, and a weekender bag. Large, copyable patterns and templates are included, ensuring that this is a colorful addition to any craft collection". -- Booklist January 1 2018 issue

Join Stuart Hillard as he expands his expertise from quilt-making to crafting beautiful and sustainable bags. With 20 stylish patterns, leading quilt designer Stuart Hillard demonstrates how to create reusable and sturdy bags for every occasion. Featuring achievable patterns and fast makes for all abilities, this is a fool-proof guide to sustainable fashion that promises professional looking results. The book delves into the anatomy of the bag and takes a visual tour of the various parts of different bags, before moving onto the specific details of pockets, zips, piping, binding, straps and handles, and even metalwork. The bags are grouped according to use, including bags for work, shopping, the beach, picnics, weekend breaks, and craft material storage.

Learn to sew bags for all occasions with this ultimate reference guide to the latest bag making techniques, featuring eight full-size bag patterns. Includes a comprehensive techniques section cover everything from zips, pockets, piping, and how to use the latest bag hardware to get you started, even if you’ve never sewn a bag before. As well as all the core skills, expert bag designer, Mrs. H., shares her tips for getting a professional finish on your handmade bags and how to resize patterns to get the perfect fit. Also includes patterns and instructions for eight fantastic bag projects like clutches and hold-alls so can start your bag making journey now!

Highlighting a durable and stylish alternative to plastic bags, a collection of simple, pattern-free designs presents seventeen stylish projects that include totes, drawstring sacks, messenger bags, organizers, satchels, and purses, accompanied by step-by-step, illustrated instructions and tips on variations, fabric combinations, and custom embellishments.

"In 1999 I did a book called Go-Sees where girls came knocking on my door over a one-year period to show their portfolio and themselves. Recently, walking through Paris, I found myself thinking what work I would exhibit in my upcoming museum show in Naples. Handbags, I'm just gonna do a handbag book and a show. It felt like another Go-Sees book to me. Friends of my girlfriend were asking me what kind of a photographer I am, what I photograph. I replied: 'Actually, come to think of it, mostly handbags.' I always like their astonished and disappointed faces! I realized through the 30 years of my career, I photographed a hell of a lot of handbags within my fashion work. And as the Americans once said to me, 'Where's the money shot?' I looked at them puzzled. 'Show me the money shot!' they repeated. Here they are: the money shots in this collection of images for my new book." Juergen Teller

Sara Lawson, author of the top-selling Big-City Bags, presents a new collection of high-fashion designs. Expand your skills with patterns for 12 sophisticated bags that make impressive gifts.