Quilted Bags In A Weekend: 25 purses, totes, and bags that you can make in no time

by Ellen Kharade

Combine the latest accessory trends with the look of the past with Quilted Bags in a Weekend. Through the revival of hand-made, vintage accessories, readers can create an endearing patchwork purse, handbag, or tote-simply and quickly! Clear, step-by-step instructions guide the weekend hobbyist through each project, with additional tips on using inexpensive materials to create a personal heirloom. Also included are tricks to pick coordinating fabrics, advice on the best materials, and ideas to make any handmade bag sturdy and durable, practical yet beautiful!

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book with lots of photos and diagrams. Looks easy to follow. A variety of 25 choices of purses to make from tote bags, to gift bags made of silk or drawstring bags, with clever ideas for decorations and embellishments. Unfortunately, none look like something I would make, even in a weekend, since the patterns have only small pockets. Great diagrams for beginning sewers to see how to make patterns and construct bags.

[Marjanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of bags that are all either quilted or are pieced together. I'm not crazy about many of the bags in this book, but I did find some inspiration in the style of the bags (mainly the shapes, fabrics, and decorative elements). I think I can make several of the ideas work with more of my personal style (modifying the quilting and fabrics).

[Kerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much of the same thing and I felt the choice of fabrics for these items was terrible.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice ideas! Gave me some thoughts for projects.

[Sara Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the colors and fabrics used for the projects are not my style at all, however! I still learned a lot from looking through this book. Her short little tutorial on making a folded star with prairie points made a lightbulb go *bing* in my brain, and the diagrams for making cathedral window blocks in the Plaid Taffeta Shoulder Bag (yes, really) were actually really helpful.
So all in all, it's a great bag for techniques ... just look past the strange color and fabric choices.