Designer Style Handbags: Techniques and Projects for Unique, Fun, and Elegant Designs from Classic to Retro [Paperback]

Sherri Haab (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2005

Every woman needs handbags...but who wants to be seen carrying the same old same old? To the rescue: Designer Style Handbags! Want a funky felted purse? A glam evening bag? A laced—up leather hobo? A Pop Art tote? Here they are! Top—selling author Sherri Haab is spilling the secrets of designer style, using step—by—step instructions and clear illustrations to reveal how to make 20 great bags that look like they cost a bundle at a too—too chic boutique. Ten projects call for simple sewing skills (all clearly explained); ten no—sew projects use easy crafting techniques to embellish purse blanks, cigar boxes, tins, even hardcover books (use something from one of those other publishers). Weave ribbons, crochet, transfer photos, weave fibers, mold polymer clay—Sherri Haab makes it look easy because it is easy. Solid techniques plus witty ideas mean bags to brag about!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult-High School–With this title, teens can create a funky felt purse or make one from an old book, or decorate an old handbag. Haab reviews the types of fabrics, glues, linings, materials, and sewing techniques to consider for these projects. This same type of information, in simpler language and on a smaller scale, is provided in Haab's The Hip Handbag Book: 25 Easy-to-Make Totes, Purses, and Bags (Watson-Guptill, 2004). Designer Style focuses on more complex creations that require more steps and several specific tools and craft items. The many colorful photographs are of excellent quality.–Shannon Seglin, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Sherri Haab is the bestselling author of Clay So Cute!, The Art of Metal Clay, Designer Style Jewelry, and The Art of Resin Jewelry. Her books for tweens include The Hip Handbag Book, Way to Crochet, and Dangles and Bangles. Her Incredible Clay Book and Nail Art each sold more than 1 million copies. In all, she has more than 2.5 million books in print around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (July 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823012883
• ISBN-13: 978-0823012886
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.4 x 10.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sherri Haab is a best selling craft author with over 20 published books to her credit, with several titles selling over a million copies. She is a certified metal clay instructor, leading numerous PMC craft and jewelry making workshops nationwide. She also develops new craft products including her patented "Image Transfer Solution". Sherri has recently released 2 DVD's (Metal Clay and Resin) and has appeared on several television programs (HGTV, DIY and PBS). She lives with her family in Utah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, August 15, 2005

By 

JAZZYLADY (Silver Spring, Md.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designer Style Handbags: Techniques and Projects for Unique, Fun, and Elegant Designs from Classic to Retro (Paperback)

Although this is the third or fourth book I purchased on purse making, it is by far one of the best. The techniques are varied and interesting but can be done by a beginner with some experience. There's more than enough to hold your interest, along with a lot of fun purses to do. My only complaint was that I could never find any one place to purchase all the ribbon for one of the ribbon purses in the book, but otherwise a really neat book.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, January 5, 2006

By 

Lynn Kurland - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designer Style Handbags: Techniques and Projects for Unique, Fun, and Elegant Designs from Classic to Retro (Paperback)

I never bother with reviews, but this book was so wonderful that I couldn't help myself. It was inspiring, full of wonderful, clearly photographed instructions, and left this non-sewer feeling as if I could really pull these off.

Well worth the money.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas from simple to intricate, September 2, 2006

By 

LaShawn Wright (Brookneal, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Designer Style Handbags: Techniques and Projects for Unique, Fun, and Elegant Designs from Classic to Retro (Paperback)

This book had purses for everyone, sewers and non-sewers, old and young, small and large. The purses are hip and the patterns are easy to understand. I already had some of the patterns but they even presented them in a better way with great step-by-step COLOR photos.