Carry Me: 20 Boutique Bags to Sew

Description

Japanese craft books are a hot trend with their unique design sensibility and clever projects. Sew Your Own Handbags showcases that style with 10 handbags featuring clever construction, unique details, and simple sewing techniques. Sophisticated photography shows off each bag to the fullest, with helpful detail shots of closures, handles, linings, and design details. Inside you'll find a variety of bag styles including a wool tweed travel bag perfect for a weekend getaway, a stylish denim bag with grommet and zipper details, a roomy tote bag with contrast lining and inside pockets, a laptop bag featuring a unique patchwork design, a striped book bag with matching book cover project, a wool messenger bag with flower detail, a soft luggage tote with inside compartments and luggage tag, plus much more. Most projects have matching companion projects such as change purses, drawstring bags and wristlets, to give you lots of variation ideas on each bag project. Project templates are included on a pull-out pattern section bound inside the book. Every project includes detailed instructions, step-by-step illustrations, and easy-to-follow construction diagrams. A section on tips and techniques shows how to give each bag a professional look and add embellishments.

Handbag designer Yuka Koshizen is based in Tokyo. She is a former magazine editor and writer. Yuka aims to create functional classy designs with attention to detail. Her handbags are available at boutiques in Japan and through her online shop, at www.xixiang.net

I love the Japanese style, so this is a favourite book for me. The bags are contemporary with some designs and ideas I have not seen elsewhere. If you did not know, you would not immediately think Japanese, there is no sashiko, Japanese fabrics or style in much evidence, yet this is a classic book. Some patterns are included, the other bags are made by measurement alone. You might need to read the instructions more than once. Highly finished techniques for the dedicated bag maker.-KarenPlatt.co.uk