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Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs
As the plastic bag is increasingly banished from stores, the cloth bag is stepping up to save the day. Whether toting groceries, books, baby supplies, gardening tools, or a wallet and some electronic gadgets, eco-conscious crafters will find a bag design to fit their needs in Sew What! Bags. The focus is on simple, pattern-free sewing that requires no previous experience — just an inventive spirit, some fun fabric, and a basic sewing machine.Author Lexie Barnes is a nationally known brand in the bag world, noted for contemporary designs that combine practical detail with stellar functionality. Her unique approach to bag design — starting with the need and then customizing the bag to fit it perfectly — is inspiring and freeing. She encourages crafters to jumpstart their creativity with "warm-up projects" that will carry just a single object, from a pair of eyeglasses to a pack of tissues.The 18 core projects in Sew What! Bags show how to use bold, contemporary fabrics to make totes, drawstring sacks, messenger bags, organizers, satchels, and purses in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Every project is shown in a full-color photo accompanied by step-by-step, illustrated instructions. Many more variations in size, fabric combinations, and styling features are also pictured to show just a few of the dozens of possibilities for customizing each project.Crafters of all levels are sure to be carried away by Lexie Barnes's inspired approach to creating the bag of your dreams.Praise for the "Spot on tips for hemming, choosing fabric and breaking out of the pattern mold help ensure this book is a crafter's delight." - Bookpage, August 2009
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2009
42 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Lexie Barnes
6 books4 followersLexie Barnes is a spirited accessories designer living a noisy life in the quiet Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Lexie thrives on the entreprenurial energy of running multiple ventures with her husband Cory Barnes and keeping up with their beloved troupe of boys, Henry, Sebastian, Monty and Calvin.
Lexie's first book, Sew What! Bags, is a top selling craft book and her next one, Sew Up a Home Makeover is coming in August. She also founded and produces Twist, a boutique craft show in Northampton, MA, twice a year and continues to work with Cory on their first business, Spire USA.
Lexie prefers sneakers to heels, is a rabid movie buff, a compulsive redecorator, and has never tasted ketchup.
Lexie's first book, Sew What! Bags, is a top selling craft book and her next one, Sew Up a Home Makeover is coming in August. She also founded and produces Twist, a boutique craft show in Northampton, MA, twice a year and continues to work with Cory on their first business, Spire USA.
Lexie prefers sneakers to heels, is a rabid movie buff, a compulsive redecorator, and has never tasted ketchup.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 25, 2016
4/5; 4 stars; A-
I've read quite a few bag making books in the last while and this one stands out because its all about empowering the reader to figure it out for themselves and not be locked into thinking 'I have to have a pattern' to make something good.
The author has lots of practical advice on how to dream up your own pattern for whatever you might need to make, and tells you how to do it. She also has many example bags to make, with step by step instructions.
After reading this book I was inspired to combine my ideas and several online tutorials I've seen to make a messenger style diaper bag for a friend.
I've read quite a few bag making books in the last while and this one stands out because its all about empowering the reader to figure it out for themselves and not be locked into thinking 'I have to have a pattern' to make something good.
The author has lots of practical advice on how to dream up your own pattern for whatever you might need to make, and tells you how to do it. She also has many example bags to make, with step by step instructions.
After reading this book I was inspired to combine my ideas and several online tutorials I've seen to make a messenger style diaper bag for a friend.
November 22, 2020
One thing I haven’t been keeping up with is sewing and doing crafts. I usually love to do these projects, but I moved and have a lot of supplies, but not all. I was taught to sew by my mom’s best friend. So, some difficult sewing tasks I know how to do, but have a hard time remembering how to put a zipper in. My house also needs a lot of organizing and I need to fix things, too. So, having the time to do big projects has been hard. I look after my parents and go back and forth a lot.
This book is perfect b/c there are many smaller projects that I can do and will help me get things neatly put away or prettily displayed. I haven’t sewed in a couple of years, so it will be good to refresh myself, too.
I picked a few to do. There is an easy design for glasses. I can make it a bit bigger and put my sunglasses in there. I always lose them in my bag. 2) Liked Directions for doing a Formed Liner that I need to make for a Knitted Felted bag I did several years ago. I do procrastinate! The bag will look much better with a firm liner in it. This book has the best explanation I’ve seen. 3) I have beautiful Oil Cloth by a fabulous fabric designer, Jennifer Paganelli. Oil Cloth is great for many things b/c you can wash it down. This book has an Oil Cloth Everyday Bag that works really well for looking beautiful and is versatile, but stands up to use. Can just throw it into the car. 4) Last project is making a tube that is quite easy and use it to but plastic bags in there. Can get some unused ones from the Supermarket and these are something I need and can hang in the kitchen. Also, can make one to hang up and put Fabric Scraps in.
That should do it. I will check back and show when I complete a project. I really am excited to do some creative stuff. With the holidays and lack of travel, can keep busy.
This book is perfect b/c there are many smaller projects that I can do and will help me get things neatly put away or prettily displayed. I haven’t sewed in a couple of years, so it will be good to refresh myself, too.
I picked a few to do. There is an easy design for glasses. I can make it a bit bigger and put my sunglasses in there. I always lose them in my bag. 2) Liked Directions for doing a Formed Liner that I need to make for a Knitted Felted bag I did several years ago. I do procrastinate! The bag will look much better with a firm liner in it. This book has the best explanation I’ve seen. 3) I have beautiful Oil Cloth by a fabulous fabric designer, Jennifer Paganelli. Oil Cloth is great for many things b/c you can wash it down. This book has an Oil Cloth Everyday Bag that works really well for looking beautiful and is versatile, but stands up to use. Can just throw it into the car. 4) Last project is making a tube that is quite easy and use it to but plastic bags in there. Can get some unused ones from the Supermarket and these are something I need and can hang in the kitchen. Also, can make one to hang up and put Fabric Scraps in.
That should do it. I will check back and show when I complete a project. I really am excited to do some creative stuff. With the holidays and lack of travel, can keep busy.
September 13, 2009
I was sitting at a cafe' when I started looking at this book. I glanced through it first and decided that I liked the format and the layout, but wasn't enamored of the projects. I didn't see any of the bags that I thought were useful looking.
"Listen to the Mustn'ts child, listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child, anything can be."
-Shel Silverstein
That poem is how the text of the book started. It grabbed my attention and changed my idea about the book. I didn't see it at first, because the color of the text was invisible in the glare of the cafe' light. I looked through it a little more slowly and found that it is a book with really good bones. There are projects at the end that look useful and I would make, including a messenger bag and a wall organizer with pockets. I think the best part is that the author shows the reader how to think about bag making. The idea is not all about making her bags.
I, first, heard about this book on the Quilted Cupcake podcast. I wrote about in one of my summer catch up posts. I finally got it from the Library using Link+, a better, faster and more convenient way of getting interlibrary loans. It actually works for real people! Thank you, SFPL!!!
"A note on fear: It's okay to be afraid to start a project. It's okay to read the book for a while or just look at the pictures until you feel ready to jump in. The trick is that you have to jump in at some point. Like swimming or sky diving or picking up a pencil for the first time - like anything worth doing - you have to start somewhere. Start today. Start now. Don't worry about getting it right or making the perfect bag. It's likely that the first thing you make may not be perfect....but you will still treasure it. ... the safety net will appear just when you need it. So jump."
This note cemented my initial idea about the book. I thinkt he safety net comment is a good one to keep in mind. The tone of the book is really friendly and accessible and she has some great overarching ideas about making bags, such as "Build a bag from the inside out." Another thing Lexie Barnes discusses is the length of the straps. I have been making the Eco Market tote with 54" straps. 54" fits me and works with the pattern. They go almost all the way around the bag and are sewn into the bottom of the bag seam. This reminder is good because I may want to make a bag where the straps do not go all the way around the bag. I also like the paragraph on designing pockets (pg.15), because it gives the maker practical ideas about making useful pockets. The section called "Graph, Paper, Scissors" discusses using graph paper (pg.14) to design a completely new bag to scale. I immediately drew a preliminary drawing (not to scale!) a for a saddle type bag.
I am going to spend some more time with this book.
"Listen to the Mustn'ts child, listen to the Don'ts.
Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts.
Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me.
Anything can happen, child, anything can be."
-Shel Silverstein
That poem is how the text of the book started. It grabbed my attention and changed my idea about the book. I didn't see it at first, because the color of the text was invisible in the glare of the cafe' light. I looked through it a little more slowly and found that it is a book with really good bones. There are projects at the end that look useful and I would make, including a messenger bag and a wall organizer with pockets. I think the best part is that the author shows the reader how to think about bag making. The idea is not all about making her bags.
I, first, heard about this book on the Quilted Cupcake podcast. I wrote about in one of my summer catch up posts. I finally got it from the Library using Link+, a better, faster and more convenient way of getting interlibrary loans. It actually works for real people! Thank you, SFPL!!!
"A note on fear: It's okay to be afraid to start a project. It's okay to read the book for a while or just look at the pictures until you feel ready to jump in. The trick is that you have to jump in at some point. Like swimming or sky diving or picking up a pencil for the first time - like anything worth doing - you have to start somewhere. Start today. Start now. Don't worry about getting it right or making the perfect bag. It's likely that the first thing you make may not be perfect....but you will still treasure it. ... the safety net will appear just when you need it. So jump."
This note cemented my initial idea about the book. I thinkt he safety net comment is a good one to keep in mind. The tone of the book is really friendly and accessible and she has some great overarching ideas about making bags, such as "Build a bag from the inside out." Another thing Lexie Barnes discusses is the length of the straps. I have been making the Eco Market tote with 54" straps. 54" fits me and works with the pattern. They go almost all the way around the bag and are sewn into the bottom of the bag seam. This reminder is good because I may want to make a bag where the straps do not go all the way around the bag. I also like the paragraph on designing pockets (pg.15), because it gives the maker practical ideas about making useful pockets. The section called "Graph, Paper, Scissors" discusses using graph paper (pg.14) to design a completely new bag to scale. I immediately drew a preliminary drawing (not to scale!) a for a saddle type bag.
I am going to spend some more time with this book.
March 8, 2013
reviewed on my knitting blog here: http://wyvernfriendknits.blogspot.ie/...
July 29, 2020
I would not consider myself a good sewer, I’ve made a few clothing projects in the past that have not come out well (sooooo big why do they put so much ease in patterns?). I picked up this book and read it cover to cover. Most of the newbie and beginner projects were bags I had no use for, so I decided to try the personal purse and DJ bag as my first two projects. I had low expectations, but they were both really easy to make and care out beautifully (I am surprised that many projects list lining the bags as an optional step, they would be extremely flimsy and look terrible without lining though). This book is a great way to build confidence for those new to sewing like me. It helped me learn terms for different types of stitches, and I love that the author teaches you how to customize things to your own liking.
June 27, 2023
This is a beginner friendly book: the illustrations are excellent, instructions are clearly explained in a step-by-step manner and the author suggests several ways that you can customize your bag to make it your own creation. There are five different project themes: Warm-up Projects (5 bag patterns), Totes (3 bag patterns), Drawstring Sacks (3 bag patterns), Messenger Bags (3 bag patterns) and Organizers (4 patterns). This makes a total of 18 different bag patterns.
This book is geared for the beginner sewer and may not appeal to the more advanced sewer.
This book is geared for the beginner sewer and may not appeal to the more advanced sewer.
December 14, 2018
Ok instructional book, mostly for beginners. If you have any sewing experience and modicum of creativity, most things in this book will be very easy for you as the bags are all basic shapes. Good introduction, clear instructions, and plentiful photographs.
May 14, 2019
No real patterns, just measurements, so it is like looking at a bag design wall. The obligatory chapter in notions and your sewing machine were unnecessary. Information on types of stabilizer would have been very helpful.
July 11, 2020
A lot of cute, practical and simple patterns! I have very limited sewing experience but I’m confident I could pull off quite a few of these projects!!
October 3, 2021
This is a great book with some awesome bag patterns. Great for beginners. My students very easily have made many of these bags.
August 25, 2025
Basic. Nothing I wanted to make.
July 28, 2009
Cute projects that are stylish and trendy right now. I did think it's funny that there's not only an eye glass case but a garden shear bag, a lip gloss bag, a sandwhich pouch, a business card bag, and a map case. Very amusing! They missed a water bottle bag!
My favorite was the messanger bag and the crafter's tool belt (which admittedly I'd never use).
Sew What Bags
My favorite was the messanger bag and the crafter's tool belt (which admittedly I'd never use).
Sew What Bags
July 27, 2014
It was pretty cool! All sorts of neat patterns that I could use to make little (or big) bags for all sort of things. Both of my brothers have decided that, once we get a sewing machine, I will be making them each a DJ style bag. Designed after their favorite games/movies. Nicky - an Indiana Jones themed one, and Jeff - a Pokemon styled one (with a hoodie to match..) I personally thought the Tissue case, map sack, and ditty bags were awesome! (I also liked the slightly larger version of the DJ bag..)
December 31, 2009
Another great book in this series. Includes a full range of projects, and a good way for the zipper-jittery to take the leap. The smaller, simpler projects can be completed rather quickly if you've been sewing for a while, so I let my 4-year old pick out the fabric she wants from my scrap bag and less than an hour later -- a tissue holder! Not having to deal with cutting patterns is a plus. Haven't tackled any of the more complicated projects yet, but glad this book is on my shelf.
July 5, 2009
This book helped me get back into sewing again. I love it because there are no patterns (and patterns scare me!) So far, I've made a sunglasses case and am excited about working my way up to more advanced projects. Lexie Barnes' instructional style is really casual and easy to follow too, so it is more like a friend explaining how to do everything. I love that!
December 1, 2009
I'm glad that I picked up this little book. It has inspired me to get my sewing machine out and to try to make myself a messenger bag. I like the examples that the author gave but I wish there would have been more styles to choose from. The colors that she used for examples were gorgeous and now I want to get lost in a fabric store!!
May 5, 2010
Great book for someone with a little sewing experience but wants to be able to take a basic construction and run with it. I made a little purse from this book and I love it, but I also love that based on that one purse, I feel like I can take that pattern into so many different directions. I also have the Sew What! Skirts book but have yet to make anything from it yet.
November 20, 2012
This book is easy to understand for a beginning seamstress. The author goes into great detail in the first two chapters on the sewing techniques necessary to complete the projects, and the projects themselves have illustrations and photos for every step. I love this book! I've made four tote bags so far.
May 30, 2013
The author presents 18 bags that can be made by the home sewer. I found the projects modern and attractive. After checking the book out at the local library, I elected not to purchase a copy, but I did photocopy two of the projects for my personal collection: a wall caddy and a child's tiny tote. Recommended.
May 5, 2009
Advanced bag-sewers will likely be bored by the simplistic patterns, but for a beginner bag-sewer like me it's the perfect idea book. I plan to make a messenger bag inspired by if not from their pattern.
May 11, 2010
A great book if you want a few basic ideas for bag-making and want to be able to customize your piece without a pattern. I jumped right into the "daredevil" level messenger bag and was able to make it easily in just a few hours, and I'm no expert or "daredevil."
January 13, 2012
Very simple and easily explained bags and organizers for home, market & travel. Good book for the beginner.
Projects include: Eyeglass Case, Tissue Case, Totes, Hanging Wall Organizers & a Tool Apron
Book appropriate for sewing level: Beginner and above
Projects include: Eyeglass Case, Tissue Case, Totes, Hanging Wall Organizers & a Tool Apron
Book appropriate for sewing level: Beginner and above
May 6, 2013
I like big bags and I cannot lie...because - hello! - they hold a lot of stuff! Some of these bags were for single items...SMALL single items. I fail to see the point of making a bag for one thing. So what?
August 31, 2016
I sew what to make bags! Picked this up a few years ago but finally got around to reading portions of it and it lead me to getting off my butt and finally start putting my sewing/craft room together. I will using a few of the patterns and information found in this great book really soon.
March 16, 2009
I reviewed this book on my site.
March 20, 2009
B Some fun bags, but most of the ones I liked are labeled "Pro" level, which I def am not! Some fun stuff in here, all "pattern free" customizable bag projects for sewers.
June 27, 2009
I think I am disappointed in this one. Lots of small bags that I will never make. Good basics of bag construction though.
August 20, 2009
This book is fabulous!! Now I just have to find the time to actually attempt to sew some of these things. I've read the instructions and it's really straight forward so whish me luck!
September 5, 2009
I love this whole series!!!
December 5, 2009
easy to follow illustrations and excellent examples
loved the fabric and project choices -- they were well-photographed
loved the fabric and project choices -- they were well-photographed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews