Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs [Hardcover-spiral]

Lexie Barnes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2009

As the plastic bag is increasingly banished from stores, the cloth bag is stepping up to save the day. Whether toting groceries, books, baby supplies, gardening tools, or a wallet and some electronic gadgets, eco-conscious crafters will find a bag design to fit their needs in Sew What! Bags. The focus is on simple, pattern-free sewing that requires no previous experience — just an inventive spirit, some fun fabric, and a basic sewing machine.

Author Lexie Barnes is a nationally known brand in the bag world, noted for contemporary designs that combine practical detail with stellar functionality. Her unique approach to bag design — starting with the need and then customizing the bag to fit it perfectly — is inspiring and freeing. She encourages crafters to jumpstart their creativity with "warm-up projects" that will carry just a single object, from a pair of eyeglasses to a pack of tissues.

The 18 core projects in Sew What! Bags show how to use bold, contemporary fabrics to make totes, drawstring sacks, messenger bags, organizers, satchels, and purses in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Every project is shown in a full-color photo accompanied by step-by-step, illustrated instructions. Many more variations in size, fabric combinations, and styling features are also pictured to show just a few of the dozens of possibilities for customizing each project.

Crafters of all levels are sure to be carried away by Lexie Barnes's inspired approach to creating the bag of your dreams.

Share your projects at www.sewwhatbags.com

Praise for the book:
"Spot on tips for hemming, choosing fabric and breaking out of the pattern mold help ensure this book is a crafter's delight." - Bookpage, August 2009

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lexie Barnes, a self-taught designer and the creator of a successful line of women's handbags and accessories, is the author of Sew What! Bags and Sew Up a Home Makeover. She brings her fun sense of style to every design she creates, and her craft bags have received rave reviews from BUST, Vogue Knitting, Adorn, and Knitty.com. Visit her at www.lexiebarnes.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover-spiral: 151 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Spi edition (February 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603420924
• ISBN-13: 978-1603420921
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sorely disappointed, September 3, 2009

By 

Stitches (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs (Hardcover-spiral)

I love Lexie Barnes bags and have drooled over them for a couple of years now. They are however a bit out of my price point. So when I saw this book, I almost squealed. Then I opened it. I was so disappointed!! The patterns are super basic, all rectangles or squares. Not to mention it isn't 18 different patterns; it's about 6 basic patterns that have variations like new strap placement or a larger size. None of the designs are at the level of her ready made bags. It would a fabulous book for a very beginner bag maker/sewist, but if you are looking for the chance to make your own Lexie bag - this is not it!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Teens and Adults, April 18, 2009

By 

Bonnie Neely - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs (Hardcover-spiral)

Sew What! Bags by Lexie Barnes, the renowned designer for diaper bags, craft bags, laptop carriers and more. In her new book Lexie shares with the reader her ways of creating unique and functional bags, from the inside out. She explains details of how to sew for beginners and fabric selection tips for all. She explains how to create a bag for the particular function you need, by planning the inside first, measuring correctly, and constructing it easily in a few short hours of fun. She has instructions for 18 different kinds of bags, all made without patterns. You will have fun with this book's ideas and learn many how-to tricks of the trade. it would make an excellent summer projects plan for any young seamstress to feel successful and create gifts for everyone.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent - Beautiful Ideas, March 31, 2009

By 

soulatpeace (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sew What! Bags: 18 Pattern-Free Projects You Can Customize to Fit Your Needs (Hardcover-spiral)

This book is beautiful!! It has a lot of ideas for bags - Basic bags- nothing fancy. But a lot of the ideas can be used for gifts. You may want to go to the library first before you buy as it only has basic bags but where I find it worth the money is that directions are clear and some ideas are creative but nothing too fancy. It kind give an appreciation for beautiful homemade stuff.