Making Handbags: Retro, Chic, Luxurious

The book comes complete with step-by-step illustrated instructions for each type of handbag, which so far, have been pretty clear and easy to follow. Also included are all the necessary patterns, but will have to be enlarged with a copy machine to be of any use.

At the back of the book there is a full-color "gallery" of various students' handbag designs. I found this to be useful as well as interesting.

However, after making some of the bags I was a little disappointed with the results. I'm finding I have to make modifications to the designs to produce something I actually like. But overall, the book is worth purchasing if you are interested in making your own handbags. It will inspire you, at the very least!


Fun and full of clever ideas - a bargain too!   January 5, 2004
 40 out of 43 found this review helpful

I checked this book out from the library and am now going to purchase it. I found the bags in this book creative and inspiring. I have looked into most of the books on making handbags and this is one of the better ones. I am a bit perplexed at some of the negative reviews at Amazon that I have read regarding this book. I think the instructions are easy to follow, and in my opinion, if you know how to sew (and if you have ever sewn the simplest of handbags), the instructions are easy to follow. My only complaint is that the patterns are not easily removed from the book, so unless you want to tear the book apart, they must be transferred to tracing paper. But I don't think this is a reason not to buy this book. Considering that the average handbag pattern is $8.00 (even then they must often be transferred to tracing paper) this book is a bargain. You get many patterns for the price of this book and it doesn't take a lot of effort to make the patterns. There are also a lot of good ideas in this book. Of course the best way to know if you like a book or not is to check it out before you buy it, which I always do.