Handbag Workshop: Design and Sew the Perfect Bag

This is a great book... LOTS of ideas!!! But let's read the title "Handbag Workshop: Design and Sew the Perfect Bag"... and not "Let me give you a bunch of patterns for you to copy" It's true if you want to use the patterns, and it should be mentioned that they are all there, you will have to get them super sized at a copy store. But it's not really meant for that, it's meant to give you a BUNCH of ideas to make bags, not just copy every bag you see, leave that for the Chinese copy-cat companies that are already out there. I've already made one bag... made it out of material I bought really cheap, made "My" changes to it, now I'm making it out of suede... This book does contain a lot of different designs, and a lot of ideas to make your bag unique...

I have a large library of books on making handbags and while all offer something new for me to learn, this book was one of the best between the copy that explains exactly how to make a very professionally finished bag and the photos, showing very clearly the steps one needs to complete in the right order. This book is a must buy for anyone taking on their first handbag or to improve skills as a frequent handbag designer. Very inspiring.

I had preordered this book and eagerly awaited the release. making bags is a passion of mine, although I have not used leather and suede much. I was interested in learning some additional or new techniques. This is a very well done book and it is great addition to the Taunton book line up. I like the layout, the illustrations and the well considered material and the variety of bag and purse designs. The projects are fashionable, classic, and trendy. Although many of theses bags are constructed from leather and suede the same, excellent, techniques can be used as well with cloth. The techniques offer great hints and ways to make construction more easy. Included is a decent list of resources (one of the things that I always look for), a well done index (another of the things I look at), and plenty of help to assist in successful completion of your elegant handbags. The only potential "iffy" comment that I can make is that some additional photographs might have been helpful. I tend to need a lot of visuals with anything I tackle and the construction of these bags is no exception. In general, the information provided is more than well illustrated, and certainly sufficient for you to construct the bags, but I would have liked a few more images of the completed bags- especially in the 'open' position . One of my favorite little projects is the "1940's Hobo Wristlet" . I would have appreciated an image of the bag opened so that I could relate the inside of the purse. It's a unique shape, unique construction and I love it!, but a few extra pictures would have made it even better! For anyone with even a passing interest in purse and handbag construction I think that this book will make an excellent addition to your bookshelf, although my copy may be open on my desk more than on the shelf for quite awhile!

This handbag book was a pleasant surprise with its excellent instructions. I have a few other how- to handbag books that are cheap on instructions, and patterns that are printed on both sides of the pattern sheet. This book has teensy pattern pieces I must replicate to full size, but they are very detailed with full sized measurements. Armed with cardboard, a ruler, roller cutter and pencil, most folks could do the replication. That complication aside, the sewing and construction instructions are comprehensive. Happy with this purchase. Also, for the seller, this book was listed as Good Used Condition. It was, in fact, in Like New condition. Another pleasant surprise.

I bought this book looking to learn some techniques and expand my skill set on thinner leather. I make hand stitched thick leather bags that don't need a lining, and was hoping to learn some tricks with how to make some of the thinner leather bags/add lining and pocket etc. This book definitely delivered on all of that and I am excited to learn more (only looked through about 3 projects). However, I'm only giving it 3 stars because the Kindle version I got has only thumbnail size photos of all the steps. Sure, you can enlarge them, but the get super pixelated and it's hard to tell what going on in them. I assume the book would just be too giant a file to have full size or decent size images for every picture? I would recommend buying the print copy, which I would hope has better images of the steps to follow along.

I really appreciated this book even though I knit and then felt bags. There are some wonderful designs and great ideas that are transferrable to my kind of bag making. Very cool silhouettes!!! So as far as the styles, much better than the marmy stuff out there, and patterns included. Not much on substance, but more about design. Other books to buy to learn HOW to sew a bag: The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags Lisa Lam The Better Bag Maker: An Illustrated Handbook of Handbag Design Techniques, Tips, and Tricks Mallalieu, Nicole A Knitter's Dozen (A Knitter's Dozen series)

This book is great! I do alot of leatherwork... Hand carving at a professional artist's level. I started doing saddles, tack, and harness. I do carved and handsewn bags, belts, cases, motorcycle seats, dashboards for custom cars....etc etc etc! I was looking for some good books on fashion bags, and/or a way to upgrade my bags, and I hit paydirt! Get this book, you'll love it!

Nice book— beautiful craftsmanship. I am anxious to start using the well- thought out patterns.

Product arrived within the stated time and was as described.

This book contains how to make leather handbooks.There are different patterns and step by step how to make and sewing handbags from real leather.

Didnt like it. Instructions where a bit confuseding.

un livre des plus intéressants, très bien fait, photos et patrons très nombreux, je le recommande vivement que ce soit pour un débutant ou pas.

Ho acquistato questo libro perché volevo approfondire le mie conoscenze sulla creazione di borse. Cucio solo per me e mi piace cambiare quindi volevo trovare qualche spunto (e trucco) per fare borse nuove. Conviene acquistare questo libro se si hanno già conoscenze di cucito. L'ho trovato utile. Non tutti i modelli sono di mio gradimento ma, usando la fantasia, si possono sfruttare i modelli presenti per creare qualcosa di personale e unico! Buon lavoro!