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The Better Bag Maker: An Illustrated Handbook of Handbag Design - Techniques, Tips, and Tricks
If you want to make gorgeous, quality bags with the professional edge that really makes the difference between home-made and handmade open The Better Bag Maker by Nicole Mallalieu. In this how-to book accomplished bag maker, Nicole Mallalieu, reveals her high-end techniques, shortcuts, and secrets for professional design and finishes. The 10 featured projects teach a range of expert skills from adjusting the proportion of the pattern to constructing pockets, straps, flaps, and bases.. By the end of this book, you ll have a closetful of polished bags and most likely sew better than you ever imagined you could."
192 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
202 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 27, 2014
Wow, did Mallalieu write some convoluted instructions.
The designs are beautiful and inspiring, but she re-invents the wheel to describe what she's doing.
All the directions are at the beginning and then when you get to the bag pattern section, it just says "refer to page 36 and follow the directions. Now refer to page 68 and follow directions" etc.
She doesn't give individual pattern sizes (like 'cut a 10" x 12" panel of fabric). She says, "cut out pattern #4 and Slash the pattern by 2 1/2" on horizontal line 2" This enables her to have patterns to cut out and follow while not needing dozens of different pieces. But its a bag. The patterns are all rectangles. Just give us the measurements. And more pictures please.
If you know how to make a bag or know how to sew, then I recommend the book.
But it's not for beginners.
The designs are beautiful and inspiring, but she re-invents the wheel to describe what she's doing.
All the directions are at the beginning and then when you get to the bag pattern section, it just says "refer to page 36 and follow the directions. Now refer to page 68 and follow directions" etc.
She doesn't give individual pattern sizes (like 'cut a 10" x 12" panel of fabric). She says, "cut out pattern #4 and Slash the pattern by 2 1/2" on horizontal line 2" This enables her to have patterns to cut out and follow while not needing dozens of different pieces. But its a bag. The patterns are all rectangles. Just give us the measurements. And more pictures please.
If you know how to make a bag or know how to sew, then I recommend the book.
But it's not for beginners.
November 5, 2014
Disclaimer: I did not actually read this book cover to cover. I perused it for some possible craft work for myself.
This is a really complete guide to making simple bags. If you have never sewn a stitch in your life, you can use this book to learn how. The author opens with very basic information about sewing machines, different types of interfacing, fabrics, and more. You name it, she hits it. Then she gives detailed instructions on how make her basic bag and strongly suggests you make one of those first before moving on to more complicated bags. Each bag builds upon the basic bag with an "Alter the Pattern" guide. The skill levels are rated from Beginner to Confident. The skills begin with such basics as ironing interfacing onto fabric and sewing a straight seam and get increasingly difficult to installing a zipper properly, making a a gusset, and attaching fancy straps with rings and flaps with magnetic snaps. The big bonus is that all the patterns are included in a pocket in the back of the book. Everything you need is right there.
My conclusion - making a handbag is way too much work. I'll go to Macy's and buy one. Although, to my credit, I used to make my own version of a Hobo bag when I was in high school. It started as a project for a craft class. They were made from pleather and the seams were crocheted together. (Thanks, Mrs. Wilson.) I think every female member of my family and every female friend I had got one for Christmas that year.
This is a really complete guide to making simple bags. If you have never sewn a stitch in your life, you can use this book to learn how. The author opens with very basic information about sewing machines, different types of interfacing, fabrics, and more. You name it, she hits it. Then she gives detailed instructions on how make her basic bag and strongly suggests you make one of those first before moving on to more complicated bags. Each bag builds upon the basic bag with an "Alter the Pattern" guide. The skill levels are rated from Beginner to Confident. The skills begin with such basics as ironing interfacing onto fabric and sewing a straight seam and get increasingly difficult to installing a zipper properly, making a a gusset, and attaching fancy straps with rings and flaps with magnetic snaps. The big bonus is that all the patterns are included in a pocket in the back of the book. Everything you need is right there.
My conclusion - making a handbag is way too much work. I'll go to Macy's and buy one. Although, to my credit, I used to make my own version of a Hobo bag when I was in high school. It started as a project for a craft class. They were made from pleather and the seams were crocheted together. (Thanks, Mrs. Wilson.) I think every female member of my family and every female friend I had got one for Christmas that year.
September 13, 2017
If you're into making bags this book will definitely up your game. The author gives you copious notes and tips to make quality construction quicker. The book begins with an overview of necessary tools and materials, followed by skills and techniques you will be using. (She uses glue and adhesive versus pins and basting, block fusing, and rotary cutters for speedier results.) The projects follow, starting off with a basic bag and working toward a complicated convertible tote-backpack. Lots of graphics and photos to help you out, although sometimes the photos were hard to understand because the fabrics used were so distracting (pages 107-108, 183!). The author doesn't have patterns for each project but has you modify (as needed) from basic patterns included in the book. The library book I was reading was missing the pattern pieces but this book is so good, I'm putting it on my buy list.
July 13, 2021
The bags are nice and since I own the book I may try a few but while reading the patterns, I wasn't a huge fan of "refer to page xx from this pattern" which makes it seem like the author expects you to complete each project in order versus one or two projects which is what most people do when they purchase these types of books.
April 25, 2019
Lovely patterns and good for all levels of sewing.
January 22, 2020
This is a good resource to upgrade my bag making skills.
October 16, 2020
Good reference for bag sewing. :D
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January 8, 2022Interesting reference book - good tips
February 8, 2022
I love this book! It's my go-to for adding nice features to a basic bag.
April 19, 2016
Finding a book by an author with my initials was complete serendipity! I've been searching for a novel that met this criteria nearly every single time I went looking for my next book to no avail. You would think N M is pretty easy, but no luck. I finally pretty much gave up. Since the year is winding down and my checklist for the challenge is getting more and more complete, I decided to let myself read a couple things that didn't fit the list.
As it happens, this past week I've been doing a lot of research on making cute reusable shopping bags. (turns out it's terribly ineffective in terms of cost as long as cute is a requirement. :( ) In my searching, I came across The Better Bag Maker. This lady seriously knows her stuff! Each of the bags look totally professional and store bought. Parts of the procedure seem complicated, but I bet they could be figured out with practice. There's also both written directions and photos for each step. What more can you ask for? Next time I have the time and funds to begin a crafty project, I'm totally going to pick up this volume again! It wasn't until after I was plopping this one in the bag to go back to the library that I noticed the author is called Nicole Mallalieu. That's right - N M suckas! :D
As it happens, this past week I've been doing a lot of research on making cute reusable shopping bags. (turns out it's terribly ineffective in terms of cost as long as cute is a requirement. :( ) In my searching, I came across The Better Bag Maker. This lady seriously knows her stuff! Each of the bags look totally professional and store bought. Parts of the procedure seem complicated, but I bet they could be figured out with practice. There's also both written directions and photos for each step. What more can you ask for? Next time I have the time and funds to begin a crafty project, I'm totally going to pick up this volume again! It wasn't until after I was plopping this one in the bag to go back to the library that I noticed the author is called Nicole Mallalieu. That's right - N M suckas! :D
October 1, 2015
This book has very visual, clear instructions throughout, excellent pictures, and a lot of good suggestions for variations on the patterns in the book. The projects in the book look like they would be fun to make just as they are, but they are also good learning projects to get comfortable with how to put bags together in different ways so you can go on to make up your own patterns. A treat to read - I recommend this to sewists who are pretty confident in their sewing skills or who are comfortable in their ability to figure it out as they follow the steps and who learn best by doing.
July 17, 2014
If I could choose anything to sew, I'd probably choose bags and this is a great book. I haven't sewn any of the projects yet but I can tell from the instructions and projects that it's a well-written book. I think this is one I'd like to own (although the library very kindly purchased it on my request!) I'm looking forward to becoming a better bag maker! :)
May 31, 2016
Detailed book by a professional. Great section on materials and techniques. Great photographs. Bag patterns go from beginner basic bag to intermediate, advanced and confident sewer. The book builds on skills learned from making basic bag. Borrowed it from library so haven't tried making anything. Worth the read, but bags are more complicated than other books I've looked at.
June 19, 2014
Well, I haven't actually tried to make anything in this book, but after reading it over I think I'm confident enough to tackle some of these "puppies"! Well illustrated and clear instructions. I need to get a copy!
September 1, 2014
Includes a lot of information about interfacing and fusing, reducing bulk, and the "corner rule". There are pictures to go with each step by step instruction. Highly recommend to anyone who wishes to make handbag of their own.
October 14, 2021
If you love attention to detail in your work, you'll love making bags with this book. Mallalieu explains the procedures and gives you the little tips that can help you make bags that look handmade, not home made.
August 2, 2014
10 projects. Pull out patterns included. Lots of photos. Sections for tips, techniques, and resources. Progressively more difficult. I'd be willing to try some of the projects in this book.
August 18, 2014
Seems like a pretty nice book to own. The library didn't let me keep it long enough to actually attempt any of the projects, so I'll have to snag another copy elsewhere.
October 13, 2014
Shed light on many ways to accomplish the same thing. Bag bottoms, zipper gussets and strap making better then I have seen previously.
October 27, 2017
It was so long ago that I can’t reall remember. I did make some splendid bags though so it can’t be all bad!
June 21, 2016
Interesting ideas, great technical data but not the inspiration that I was looking for.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews