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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.