AllCrafts.net Arts & Crafts Book Review – Hip Handbags: Creating & Embellishing 40 Great-Looking Bags
Hip Handbags: Creating & Embellishing 40 Great-Looking Bags
This book gives you the patterns & instructions to create seven basic
handbag and shoulderbag types. Then the author shows you creative
materials and embellishments that will inspire you to create a truly
individual purse. Each variation is explained thoroughly. Several new
techniques are shown in these projects.
All of the essential purse
shapes are covered – clutch, tote, large purse, messenger bag, envelope
and more. The patterns are in the text on graph paper. They’re easy to
scan into the computer and create any size.
This book begins with a
great introduction on designing handbags. Just this section alone made
me consider several projects. If you just want to dip your toes into
making purses, the first few projects use ready-made purses.
Another
chapter discusses fabric choices in depth and illustrates basic
techniques like lining and pockets. These construction details help you
customize your designs.
My favorite thing about this book is that
this approach really teaches you to design your own bags. It is very
clear how to follow one of the designs, but they also provide that extra
information to help you if you stray away from the pattern, as I usually
do…
Finally, if you would like to go totally hip with your bags, there’s an
outrageous photo gallery of the most modern of handbags.