A Beginner's Guide to Bag Making

This easy-to-use beginner's sewing book contains 20 stylish and contemporary bag designs, from tote bags and box bags, to a courier bag, a sports bag and a bowling bag. A range of techniques, styles, fabrics and finishes is used to ensure that you can create exactly the bag you want.

The projects are interspersed with 20 step-by-step techniques so that you can treat the book as a course and work through it in order, trying out the techniques as you go, or simply pick and choose your favourite styles. Each of the bags is graded 'beginner level', 'intermediate level' or 'confident' to help you.

The projects and techniques are explained with a mix of photographs and illustrations to provide the clearest possible instruction. All the pattern pieces required are given at full size on the pull-out template sheet at the back of the book. 

Book Contents

Introduction 5
Supplies and materials 6
Glossary and tips 9

Project 1: Simple zip-up bag 10
Step-by-step: Putting in a zip 12

Project 2: Folded bag 14
Step-by-step: Making a simple pocket 16

Project 3: Shopping bag 18
Step-by-step: Creating an even topstitch 20

Project 4: Transparent tote 22
Step-by-step: Attaching bias binding 24

Project 5: Big bag with pocket 26
Step-by-step: Making handles 28

Project 6: Box bag 30
Step-by-step: Sewing on a gusset with a corner 33

Project 7: Courier bag with flap 34
Step-by-step: Setting a zip in a zip casing

Project 8: Duffel bag 38
Step-by-step: Setting eyelets 40

Project 9: Bucket bag 42
Step-by-step: Making pocket casing 44

Project 10: Waist bag 46
Step-by-step: Making a patch pocket with a flap 48

Project 11: Small sports bag 50
Step-by-step: Attaching straps

Project 12: Travel bag 54
Step-by-step: Attaching piping/Making handles/Preparing a base support piece 56

Project 13: Bowling bag 60
Step-by-step: Making a leather-style shoulder strap 62

Project 14: Small shoulder bag 64

Project 15: Studded shoulder bag 68

Project 16: Safari bag 72

Project 17: Kelly Bag 76
Step-by-step: Attaching magnetic snap fasteners 78

Project 18: Trapeze bag 80
Step-by-step: Making a shoulder strap and attachment loops 82

Project 19: Chanel-style bag 84
Step-by-step: Padding a flap 86

Project 20: Envelope bag 90
Step-by-step: Attaching an invisible magnetic fastener/Making a zipped pocket window 92