Customer Reviews

Making Vintage Bags: 20 Original Sewing Patterns for Vintage Bags and Purses

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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....

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

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.

I didn't really expect to keep this book (I ordered The Perfect Bag along with it) BUT the instructions for lining/adding zippers/fasteners, etc. were so good that I decided to keep it for other purse projects that aren't in the book. The bags look a bit small (no big tote or carry-all) but a couple of bags caught my eye. Each bag has it's own sewing instructions that are step by step and easy to follow. (I sent Perfect Bag back and kept this one).

Very clear instructions and gorgeous bags. Bag designs are 'vintage' but very modern at the same time, unlike some eighties-like designs from other books.

I love this book and how it is organized. First off, there is a solid section of items to help make your bags (e.g. tools, fabric selection, types of lining, handles, fasteners, types of stitches, appliques and more), then four sections covering the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s with bag styles refecting these periods, and lastly patterns to freely use (you have to enlarge them in order to properly make the purses) in when making these bags. One can then apply appliques/bows or design your own reflecting your personal style, handles, lining, and fasteners to make the bag(s) of your dreams. The author is thorough and very giving with her knowledge of vintage clothing and all this is apparent in "Making Vintage Bags." I can't wait to get started on my purses!

This was one of the better handbag making books I have found. The designs are interesting & have modern touches that don't detract from the vintage aspect. The how-to photos are excellent. The instructions rae easy to floow even if you have not made many bags. If you are looking to make your own bags - this is a must have book

I love the patterns given in this book. It is pretty detailed.
The only problem I had was enlarging the patterns. You really have to work on getting the page just right for the printer to copy & enlarge.
Then you will be making more than one page of patterns & cutting & pasting
on some anyway no matter how you twist the pages. Some of the patterns were not set right on the pages. And I took my book to a professional copy place. But I enjoy this book so its worth it to me. And I copied them on pellon and cut them out so I will always have my patterns now.

I thought this book to be terrific for the wonderful handbags and smaller change purses in the book. Not only do your get that wonderful vintage feel, but none of the bags have that `homemade' look to them. If you select the correct fabrics, these bags look like they would have come from a stylish boutique shop. All the must know information is at the front of the book so that you get a general grounding in purse making techniques prior to individual purse instructions. The purses themselves are in chapters according to the styles of each decade starting with the 1920's. The purses are shown in full color photographs including usually at least one variation on each of the basic designs. Each purse has been given a name which makes it easy to be sure you are using the proper pattern piece and directions. It will be so nice to refer to your `Clara' bag than that you have to grab your purse. The end of the book includes all the pattern pieces you will need to make the handbags, however you will need to enlarge them 165%.

Other than not having full sized pattern pieces, I didn't notice any negatives in this book. The terrific bags more than make up for the need to size up your pattern pieces. As it is a library book and I don't get to keep it, I will be placing it on my all ready very full wish list.

Great book, great ideas! If you are a hand made bag lover, it is worth getting it!