The Bag Boutique

Accessorize your outfits with a wardrobe of twenty bags. All types are covered here, from shopping totes to dressy clutch purses, casual shoulder bags and backpacks for exploring the great outdoors. ; This is a great book for those who want to make a range of bags and try their hand at a number of different decoration options. Embroidery, applique, beaded charms, decorative labels and more all dress up the creations and are fun to do. There are also sections on basic techniques such as making binding, piping, patch pockets, various finishing methods and more. The book starts with a good look at various items that will be used in making the bags, from interfacings to buttons, threads, zips and sewing box basics. She shares anecdotes and tips on topics like buying thread and using antique buttons that had me smiling, always a good thing in a primer. All the techniques, embellishment styles and projects are well laid out with staged photographs aplenty for the first two and just words for the last. This is mostly because you learn the methods first and then put them into action after some practice when making up the bags. There are lots of opportunities here to use up leftovers from other projects with methods like patchwork and applique, and I loved the fact that some of the bags had a very German appearance with folk embroidery. The simple stitches are well covered and the pocket at the back of the book contains patterns and templates for both bags and their decorations. Check out an applique owl, Alpine style colorful folk art bags with felt charms and pretty floral embroidery, denim bags to match jeans and many others. Recommended for improver level and up who want to expand on their skills and have fun in the process. A lovely book I can’t wait to use. * myshelf.com *

Debbie has been involved in writing and the craft world for pretty much all of her life, but in 1997 she made it into a profession, qualifying formally in journalism and writing patterns and a couple of columns for magazines and newspapers across four continents. She is inspired by nature, travel and history, ancient worlds, steampunk or just a walk in the woods. But she writes about so much more than craft - she loves travel writing, photography and just simply commenting about some of the ridiculous things that happen in our lives.

Writing has led her through the world of teaching, and she has written more craft pattern packets than she cares to mention! She has also self-published seven books on subjects ranging from templates for embroidery designs to a cancer self-help book. She designs sewing, papercraft, scrapbooking, card, beading, jewellery and mixed media projects, as well as patterns for quilts.