If you want to make gorgeous, quality bags with the professional edge that really makes the difference between home-made and handmade—open The Better Bag Maker by Nicole Mallalieu. In this how-to book accomplished bag maker, Nicole Mallalieu, reveals her high-end techniques, shortcuts, and secrets for professional design and finishes. The 10 featured projects teach a range of expert skills from adjusting the proportion of the pattern to constructing pockets, straps, flaps, and bases.. By the end of this book, you’ll have a closetful of polished bags—and most likely sew better than you ever imagined you could.

From the author of the bestselling The Bag Making Bible comes a collection of twelve inspiring bags for you to make at home—includes photos. Lisa Lam brings you a stunning collection of sewing patterns to make your own bags. The book features twelve bag designs with full photographic instructions, as well as a link to print-at-home patterns so that you can get started right away. A Bag for All Reasons is filled with Lisa’s in-depth advice, from the tools and equipment you need, to understanding and interpreting patterns, to choosing, preparing and cutting fabrics. A comprehensive techniques section explains some core bag-making techniques such as how to insert a zip pocket and how to use magnetic snap closures—everything you need to create professional, practical and great-looking bags. With projects ranging in complexity from the beginner Compact Groceries Tote to the more fully featured Too-Cool-for-School Satchel, you can progress with each new creation. You can make your own iPad case, sew a child’s backpack, create a pretty purse using a metal purse frame, and so much more! The bags all have style and substance and are designed with real-life practical uses in mind. Within each project Lisa gives her hints and tips for success, along with advice on how you can customize the patterns to create your own version of the design. “Lisa has created another, spirited collection of gorgeous bags that are fashionable with an added higher purpose of being incredibly useful! This information rich book will elevate your sewing know how with versatile techniques and inspiring suggestions for making these bags your own.” —Amy Butler, author of “Style Stitches”

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!

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.

In Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun, Laura Bennett shares simple strategies for creating 40 small luxuries and high-fashion accessories, from a smart leather iPad portfolio to a feather-embellished evening bag. With sections organized in skill-building order and based on type of accessory—small leather goods, agendas and notepads, electronics, bags and wallets, and evening items—Laura offers patterns, easy-to-follow diagrams, and detailed instructions for fabricating each glamorous project, whether it involves sewing from scratch or embellishing a prepurchased garment. While showcasing her own creative designs, she provides readers with the basic techniques and encouragement they need to come up with variations and create their own signature pieces. Packed with Laura's signature flair and finesse, vibrant four-color photos, step-by-step drawings, and a complete list of suggestions on where to purchase materials, Handmade Chic is an accessible guide to at-home crafting that is elegant enough for the most modern, fashion-savvy of women.

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.

Bags are hot, and this collection from Sew News can't be beat! Brimming with 25 beautiful projects, this book packs value like a beach tote packs towels. Now you can carry everything from laptops to wine to diapers in style! Beginners will love the clear instructions, and experts will appreciate the modern take on timeless techniques. See photos of some of the most popular bags ever to grace the pages of Sew News magazine Find complete step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations from esteemed sewing experts Alter and embellish your bags to suit any occasion, season, or style