Product Description

A good purse is as important as a good friend and sometimes it doubles as both! In this hot new how-to from first lady of handbags Linda McGehee, sewers will discover how one multisized pattern and proven techniques can create 101 different looks. By changing the size, shape, straps and adding a multitude of embellishments, one simple pattern answers any handbag need. "The Perfect Bag": instructs sewers in constructing beautiful bags through 150+ brilliant step-by-step colour illustrations; and includes full-size pattern sheet, giving sewers more value for their dollar. From large and spacious styles to elegant minis with enough room for just the essentials, this bag book covers them all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #56883 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-23
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

Customer Reviews

useless
This book really has nothing new or exciting and quite honestly, out of the examples, there isn't one bag example that I would wear.

There are no clear step-by-step instructions, and the book is laid out in a unusual way which actually makes things less clear and not straightforward at all.

When you look at the bags in the book, apart from different fabrics and embellishments, they are all basically the same but in different sizes. You probably don't even need a pattern to work them out but if you are a beginner (and these look like beginner bags) then some clear instructions are a must! It does contain full size patterns (like dress patterns) in an envelope at the back, which can be a plus over some other books. Personally I'm in two minds about the full size pattern idea for bags, as unlike clothing, they don't need to be fit to the body, and are basically made up of squares, rectangles, circles etc, which can easily be measured out on some tracing paper.

Anyway, moving on... There are some instructions on how to make a strap, how to attach piping, how to add a zippered pocket, but those things are actually available not only in other books, but free on the internet.

I'm only giving it two stars because I feel bad about giving it one! Two stars for having full size patterns and some instructions for some basic techniques that might be useful for alsolute beginners.

disappointing
Whilst there are many excellent photos and useful tips in this book, it lacks any diagrams and easy step pictorals to follow. As a newcomer to bag making, but not to sewing it was slightly irritating, but not devastating. I would not, therefore, recommend this to a beginner, and probably not to anyone else either - I am sure there are better books out there with easily followed information clearly laid out and ideas that jump out at you. Overall disappointing and uninspiring.

It is the perfect bag book
I bought this because it offered simple and adjustable patterns and instructions for beginner bag makers. It filled the bill and gave me lots of inspiration for further projects. Price is very reasonable, too.