Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses [Hardcover]

Emma Brennan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 2005

Bags are a favourite accessory in every fashion-conscious girl's wardrobe, and because vintage is currently a key look from couture to high street, vintage accessorising is a great way to subtly add style to any outfit. The bags in this book draw inspiration from the elegance, glamour and sophistication of styles from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. There are twenty original projects in total, with five inspired by each era. In addition, there is a purse pattern so that any of the bags in the book can be enhanced with a pretty matching purse. Four purses have been included to show ways to enhance the basic pattern to complement the matching bag. Patterns for all the bags are included in the book and all have seam allowances added already so that the book is not just inspirational, it's practical too, providing everything you need to know to take your bag from being a beautiful idea to a finished item. They make wonderful unique gifts, or you can make them all for yourself - because as every girl knows, you can never have too many bags!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emma Brennan started her own business in 1992, Charlie's Aunt, designing and producing handmade 'vintage inspired' clothing and hats. She is a qualified further education tutor and has taught courses in handbag, accessory and jewellery design. She has also staged fashion shows and given lectures on the historical influences of her designs. She lives in Australia. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Guild of Master Craftsman (March 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861084110
• ISBN-13: 978-1861084118
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 132 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Hokey, June 2, 2006

By 

N. kerr-mueller "Nanimal" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses (Hardcover)

I bought this book unseen and hoped for the best - quite often with purse books a lot of the styles end up being hokey and NOTHING I would ever want to carry or submit my friends to. I teach purse making classes (Amy Butler patterns) and wanted to check this out. Very nice, I would carry most of these purses and have made 2 fun little handbags out of this book. easy to follow, creative, simple and classic. The lines are clean and would translate well in many different kinds of fabric. For the most part they are fun 'going out' bags there arent a lot (if any) multi-pockets mom type purses. These are the styled out designs for ladies of the past who had hats that matched their bags. I don't have a matching hat, but my little bag in cotton Merimekko fabric sure does hip up my flip flops and sundress when I am out and about town....

108 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS ON BAG MAKING!, May 7, 2006

By 

FRANCES SHOFFNER (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses (Hardcover)

I am a Crafter and Teacher of sewing...I love to teacher bag making, people have fun and always fall in love with the bag they made. I have many books on all crafts...but this book is one of the best on bag making....it's so easy to follow. It also has the patterns, you can't beat it. I have been sewing for more then twenty years and this book helped me learn a few new things about sewing.

F. Shoffner New York City

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book to have if you only have one, January 12, 2008

By 

KATHLEEN "ithinkwereallbozos.com" (Atascadero, CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses (Paperback)

I have been making handbags and totes for years, and own many, many books and patterns on the subject, but I still learned new things from this book. It would be the one resource I would have if I could only have one. From the tools and techniques in this book, you could go on to make any kind of handbag. Curiously, I didn't buy this when it first came out because I don't like the looks of the bag on the cover. It's my least favorite looking bag in the book, but the exterior looks really don't matter--from what is learned by using this book, you will be able to create any look you desire.