The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments [Paperback]

Genevieve A Sterbenz (Author), Ben Curry (Photographer), Stephen Mays (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

The Decorated Bag is a fun, stylish collection of 25 “must-have” bags inspired by the look of designer originals. Shown in full-page color photographs, purses, envelopes, totes, and shoulder bags are accompanied by simple, step-by-step directions. Most of the designs are created by embellishing inexpensive store-bought bags, but patterns for sewing four popular styles are also included. From a velvet purse with a faux leopard lining and shimmering rhinestones to a casual knitted tote decorated with vintage buttons, The Decorated Bag presents an array of stylish bags for every occasion.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The Decorated Bag is a fun, stylish collection of 25 “must-have” bags inspired by the look of designer originals. Shown in full-page color photographs, purses, envelopes, totes, and shoulder bags are accompanied by simple, step-by-step directions. Most of the designs are created by embellishing inexpensive store-bought bags, but patterns for sewing four popular styles are also included. From a velvet purse with a faux leopard lining and shimmering rhinestones to a casual knitted tote decorated with vintage buttons, The Decorated Bag presents an array of stylish bags for every occasion.

From the Back Cover

The Decorated Bag: Embellishing Handbags, Purses, and Totes

The Decorated Bag is the quintessential guide to decorating gorgeous and practical bags for every occasion–from a velvet purse encrusted with crystals and lined with faux fur, to a casual tote covered in a profusion of buttons.

• 50 original designs for stunning decorated bags, inspired by designer originals.

• Clear step-by-step directions to make each fashionable bag, suited to all skill levels, especially the beginner.

• Over 175 beautiful images, art, patterns, and photographs that show every dazzling bag and the way to achieve the same results.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Home Arts; First edition (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158011296X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580112963
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #442,424 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fooled by the Cover, May 21, 2006

By 

Purse Artist (CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments (Paperback)

I was attracted to this book by its cover, so I pre-ordered it. After waiting 3+ months past the release date (Feb 6, 2006) it finally arrived in early May. Wow, what a disappointment! I was expecting some upscale professional design ideas for handbag embellishment. Instead, the ideas in this book are very cutsey-poo and childish. The only nice design is on the cover. These designs might be appropriate for very young girls (faux fur, poodle appliques, felt cat with rhinestones, pom-poms, costume jewelry decorations, etc) but not for the sophisticated handbag creator. A better choice for elegant handbag embellishment would be Stephane Kimura's BAGS WITH STYLE, or Barbara Weilands new book SEW EASY DESIGNER BAGS & TOTES.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something for everyone, July 27, 2006

By 

S. A. Fennell (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments (Paperback)

After hesitating to purchase this book due to the negative reviewer, I finally got a copy and disagree with her. Yes, some of the designs are very 'young', but a lot of things seem very youth-oriented lately (obviously more a reflection of my advancing years than anything else!). And with the eclectic mix in this book cetainly not all of them fall into that category. Plus, while I have quite a few handbag design & embellishment books myself, there are imaginative ideas in here I haven't seen anywhere else, and ones I'm actually eager to try. Stephanie Kimura's work is obviously more sophisticated, but these are a lot of fun and in my view very much worth a try.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Limited Appeal, April 30, 2007

By 

Morning Sunshine "live well, laugh often, lov... (North, South, East, West) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Decorated Bag: Creating Designer Handbags, Purses, and Totes Using Embellishments (Paperback)

The title of this book is very misleading. I don't think any of these bags could qualify as designer bags and most do not use what I consider embellishments. Like a previous reviewer, I was mislead by the beaded bag on the cover, as well as by other reviews. While the book may have been very well put together and the directions clear, I think the bags themselves have very limited appeal.