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!

Today’s top designers share 27 stylish sewing projects featuring the rugged craft paper that combines the best qualities of fabric and leather. Kraft•tex™ is a truly amazing material. It looks and feels like leather, but cuts, sews, and washes just like fabric. In kraft•tex Style, top designers demonstrate its endless creative possibilities with projects that involve stitching, embossing, painting, dyeing, embellishing, inkjet printing, washing, distressing, weaving, burning, and die-cutting. Kraft•tex Style features more than two dozen projects, from home décor to bags and accessories. The 18 well-known contributors include Jen Carlton Bailly, Carrie Bloomston (SUCH Designs), Rachel Gander (Imagine Gnats), Michelle Jensen (Mixi Heart), Maryellen Kim (Twist Style), Cheryl Kuczek (Paradiso Designs), Karen LePage (One Girl Circus), Nicole Mallalieu (YOU SEW GIRL!), Caro Sheridan (Splityarn), Alyssa Thomas (Penguin & Fish), and Annabel Wrigley (Little Pincushion Studio).

It’s the hot new substrate that wears like leather but sews up like fabric—create more with kraft-tex! This game-changing material is the perfect accent for wallets, totes, and purses. Don’t fall into the same traps as beginning bag-makers. Experts Betsy La Honta and Gailen Runge use their design skills to teach you everything about sewing with kraft-tex. Get your needle know-how, sew the right seam allowances, and practice turning techniques. Popular bag designers share seventeen patterns for all skill levels, from a simple clutch to a roomy travel bag.

Wear it your way. With clever construction details, this must-have bag changes in an instant from large carryall to drawstring bag to sleek tote. Zip up your phone or keys in the secure outside pocket and organize other essentials in roomy interior compartments. With the look and durability of a leather bag, this pattern sews up like a dream in kraft•tex™ and cotton fabric. All pattern pieces are easy-to-cut squares, rectangles, and strips.

Combine durable and stylish kraft-tex with hefty denim to create a yoga bag meant to last! The handy shoulder strap and exterior zippered pocket are pretty and practical, while the water bottle holder with an adjustable strap adds even more functionality. Then give some flair to the whole ensemble with a magnolia flower accent made entirely of kraft-tex. Meanwhile, learn new skills inspired by shoe-making, including a goiser stitch around the zippered pocket and brogueing details on the water bottle holder that show off the back of the denim through the kraft-tex..

Work that patchwork with 15 modern quilted bags from experienced pattern designer Sue Kim! From a roomy market tote to a tablet sleeve and handy backpack, these simple patchwork purses are fun to quilt and carry. Instructions on pockets, straps, zippers, piping, and hardware will help confident beginners achieve a professional finish. Full-size pattern pieces are included, along with a gallery of alternate colorways (including all-solid versions) for each project!

Handmade, unique, tongue-in-cheek. Stitch 15 conversation starters that are as fun to sew as they are to tie up with a bow. Designer Samarra Khaja covers the gamut from cheeky wearables (TRAWRzers!) to quirky quilts and home decor. Make a puffy quilt that looks like candy dots, or stitch a tissue box cover that looks like a vintage typewriter. Tailored to smart, talented, crafty folks of all ages, this hilarious book is just as fun to read (trivia time!) as it is chock-full of sewing projects. Bonus: Go "behind the seams" with a textile designer and learn how her ideas come to life.