Bag Book And Book Bags

Just a quick review of a new[ish] book I spotted in the library last week and immediately borrowed. I had seen one bag from this slim volume featured as a project in two different craft magazines in Smith a few weeks back, and wondered if the book was therefore a one-hit-wonder [rather like those recipe books which have one stunning dish which you make repeatedly, and 29 others you confidently ignore]

Well, this is definitely not a single-item-issue. The book is full of thirty different sorts and styles of bags – shoppers, bookbags, bucket bags, beach totes, quotidian handbags, evening clutch bags, duffles, purses…

What I particularly appreciated was the well-written style, and the mass of details.

Instructions for each bag, and the relevant techniques are clearly set out and easy to follow. Clear advice on how to attach handles, flaps, frames, closures, drawstrings as well as reinforcing, applique techniques, bias binding etc. The book also has photocopiable templates, and a helpful list of UK stockists.

Close-up photography of the construction at each stage makes me feel I could make any of these bags if I wanted to, and I don’t think you need to be an experienced needlework either.

I shall take this down to Sewing Club and see what my girls there think of it!

My only reservation is that Bob feels I already have way too many bags.

“Where did you put so-and-so?” he asks

“It’s in my bag!” I reply

“But which one? You have dozens!” [this is indeed true]

I am turning into a Bag-Lady!