The Perfect Bag: 101 Stylish Looks from Simple Patterns [Paperback]

Linda McGehee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2006

Create the perfect bag for any occasion!

From an elegant handbag for an evening on the town to a quilted tote bag, The Perfect Bag shows you how to easily create a personal and stylish bag for any occasion.

Using one basic pattern in four different sizes - all included in this book - you can create more than 101 different handbags by adding embellishments, pockets, or zippers, or simply changing a strap or handle. The possibilities are endless!

You'll enjoy:

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  Fabric layout charts
• 
  
  Step-by-step instructions for attaching straps and handles, sewing pockets and zippers, and more
• 
  
  Tips for adding stylish touches to give your bag a professional finish
• 
  
  Galleries of inspiring bags made from the same simple patterns - each bag with its own look
• 
  
  Four tissue-paper patterns included!

You'll see just how fun it is to mix and match until you come up with your own "perfect bag!"

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (December 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896894096
• ISBN-13: 978-0896894099
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a bit disappointed, October 29, 2007

By 

E. Hyde - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Bag: 101 Stylish Looks from Simple Patterns (Paperback)

I ordered this book because of it's great reviews and that it has actual patterns. I was a bit disappointed..the substance just wasn't there...it's just the same bag over and over again with different fabrics. I ordered "Making Vintage Bags" along with this book and didn't expect to keep "Vintage" but the book was so clear and concise with it's instructions and different styles that I kept "Vintage" and sent The Perfect Bag back.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stylish Bags and purses, August 12, 2007

By 

Cat Lady (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Bag: 101 Stylish Looks from Simple Patterns (Paperback)

This is an excellent book. The instructions are impressive and include detailed material lists, patterns, tips, hardware types, many ideas for zippers, purse sizes, and alterations. It has a gallery of purses made by the authors friends and is beautifully illustrated also. The intructions for these purses, are by far, the best I have encountered. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn to make a purse or even the experience purse maker. The purses are inspiring.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed..., October 6, 2008

By 

K. Waldie "bunks" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Bag: 101 Stylish Looks from Simple Patterns (Paperback)

I was very excited to get this book but after going through it very disappointed. Like another reviewer I was expecting more in the way of different bags. I guess when you read the title of the book it tells you "101 stylish looks from simple patterns". The Canadian Amazon website doesn't give a description of the book, the American one does to it's credit so I guess I should have researched the book more.

What the book gives you is one simple pattern (in four sizes) and then tips and instructions on constructing the purse and that's where my main complaint about the book lies. I'm a visual learner and was expecting (as a beginner) to be guided each step of the way. I'm used to using commerical patterns such as Simplicity or McCall's where at a glance you can tell what the next step is by looking at the pictures/drawngs.

In all honesty I haven't yet tried to make a bag using this book so I guess this review is a first impressions one. I have a feeling that the only way to understand this book is to actually sit down and work through it page by page.

I didn't like the layout it wasn't intuitive for me. Flipping through the book for the first time I honestly thought that although a pattern had been included, the instructions for making the bag weren't - only ideas and tips. Those photos that were given of the construction process in my opinion where hampered by the choice of fabrics used. Most of the fabrics were too bright and busy so it made it hard for the eye to follow the seam lines.

Is this a bad book, no. Would I recommend it to a friend, sorry no. Would it be good for someone with a lot of sewing experience, probably yes.