Customer Reviews

Quilted Bags in a Weekend

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

 

 

I got this book as a gift from my husband! I was shocked that he would figure out this is a book I would want! So, the receiving it aside, let me get down to the review.
First off, this book looks very similar to "Quilted Bags in a Weekend : 25 Patchwork Purses, Totes and Bags" by Emma Hardy. The purses on the front of that book are in the book I have. So don't get both of these books.
Second, there are some really odd styles in this book. While the pictures are beautiful, they can be a bit misleading. I tried making the silk and velvet tote, but it was WAY TOO big. The dimensions given didn't seem to go with the picture. I cut the bag down and it was much better. Many of the bags have an odd shape that isn't always appealing like a pyramid or oblong, or pointed corners and tiny handles.
Third, while I have appreciated the variety of techniques outlined in this book only pages of instructions are given for each bag. Every bag only has 8 steps to make it. Those 8 steps are not always the easiest to follow and are often cryptic when coming to difficult steps.
I have learned some new techniques like folding the lining outside the bag to give it an interesting border and I do get inspiration from the pictures.
If I were browsing in a bookstore, I would probably pass this one up for something with more descriptive directions and less oddly shaped bags.

I love this book; it's great fun.

I'm not an expert at sewing, but I'm proficient enough to enjoy myself and I do have fun making quilts. This book looked like it would spark ideas when I wasn't in the mood for a big project. I was right.

I don't understand why another poster felt the instructions are "misleading" since the satin/velvet tote gives the size on the first page: 22" x 15.25". After all, it is a tote and not a purse, so it's meant to have room inside. But as you can see from this photo of mom modeling it, it's not that large for a tote! Photo: http://www.mousetrax.com/dian/crafts/tote04.jpg

I made it for my daughter in a few hours. (Better detailed photo of my finished project: http://www.mousetrax.com/dian/crafts/tote05.jpg) She dances and picked it out of the book as something that would be pretty for carrying around her dance accessories. I used her preferential earth tones of greens, golds and browns. It came out beautifully...even if trying to sew velvet can be a challenge! I did feel that this design missed the mark by not adding a big button to allow for closing it, so I added that feature myself.

I love the fact that there ARE unusual designs in the book. I like small bags that I can sling over a shoulder to carry just a few essentials, but many friends like larger bags/totes. This book gives a nice variety and I have lots of post-its on pages for future projects I want to make. The instructions are simple because the processes to make these bags are fairly basic, but interesting and fun and the finished projects make great gifts.

I can't wait to get time to make more bags. In fact, I just ordered another, similar book so I can get even more ideas.

This is a marvelous book. As I leafed through the pages, I wanted to make every bag project in the book. The projects are explained and illustrated in a very clear and easy manner. I've only been sewing for two years but I felt quite competent about completing any of the bags proposed in this book.

Quilted Bags In A Weekend: 25 Purses, Totes, And Bags That You Can Make In No Time by needlecraft expert Ellen Kharade is enhanced with more than 250 color photographs, illustrations, and templates showcasing charming, contemporary designs that can be created by even the most novice needlecraft. Replete with practical "how to" advice with respect to crating stylish shoppers, purses, totes, and evening bags from old scraps and leftover pieces of fabric, each individual project is provided with clear, step-by-step artworks and a techniques section with start-to-finish expert instruction. From a floral beach tote, to a ribbon-motif flannel satchel, to a leaf-print evening bag, there is a wealth of imaginative creativity in Quilted Bags In A Weekend!

Excellent book - exactly what I was looking for. Also, received shipment promptly. Thank you.

I had trouble choosing which bag to make first. I am really keen to finish the first so that I can start on another.
I am very much a beginner....but this is great.

Great bags, easy to make and wonderful design. Gets the creative juices flowing.