The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags [Paperback]

Lisa Lam (Author), Amy Butler (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2010

"The Bag Making Bible" is the first book and resource of it's kind - a technique-led approach to sewing your own designer bags and purses.  It explains in detail how to create and construct the component parts of the bag.  From adding styles of bag pockets to inserting zips and closures, using interfacing and reinforcement tricks, and fitting linings and various styles of bag handles, and much, much more.  It also introduces and demonstrates the myriad  materials, hardware, and tools and techniques available to the modern crafter, including using the sewing machine.  

Each chapter is fully illustrated with helpful colour photography and ends with a unique, step-by-step project that builds the ultimate handbag wardrobe.  A separate pull-out section of full-size patterns enables readers to get started right away - no photocopying or enlarging required!  Each bag design stands out in its own right, each to be made and loved for years to come.

Full instructions are included to make:
        a funky laptop/messenger/office bag
        3 kinds of book bags
        an ultra-organised nappy/craft tote
        a multi-pocketed travel bag
        a rigid cocktail clutch
        an over-the body hobo bag, and more.

Whether you are making your first bag, or you want to add professional looking pockets to an existing pattern, or even if you are looking for a tempting bag project to really sink your sewing teeth into, "The Bag Making Bible" will be your 'go to' resource for information and inspiration.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Lam has a successful website which has specialised in purse and bag making supplies since 2005.  This unique site through which Lisa showcases her passion and sewing talents to the  world has become a valuable source for bag making advice and inspiration.  Lisa designs her own range of sewing patterns and kits as well as regularly contributing to numerous sewing magazines. She regularly writes in her colourful craft blog: u-handbag.typepad.com where she shares her sewing and crafting obsessions with thousands of readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles; 1 edition (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071533624X
• ISBN-13: 978-0715336243
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Sewing
  • #56 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Fashion

More About the Author

Lisa Lam successfully combines her love of sewing with her work in her busy online store http://www.u-handbag.com She stocks purse making supplies, her own sewing patterns and kits. Lisa also regularly contributes to sewing magazines and writes in her craft blog http://u-handbag.typepad.com Her first book is "The Bag Making Bible".

Lisa was born in the UK to parents for whom DIY was a way of life. As a child she loved experimenting with her Mother's huge 70s fabric stash. Fun school holidays were spent sewing up Sindy Doll dresses or crafting brum-brum cars out of big cardboard boxes. Now Lisa has grown-up nothing has really changed except she now has her own (out-of-control) fabric stash.

Not only is she passionate about making bags and sewing in general she is passionate about sharing her sewing knowledge. "Thanks to my Mum, sewing and craft is what I do. Because it's fun and it makes me so happy I can't imagine life without it. Give it try and I'm sure you'll be hooked!" Lisa lives in Brighton, UK.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

202 of 205 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Confused by the photos December 3, 2010

By Pia

Format:Paperback

Lisa Lam is obviously an extremely talented bag maker, and the bags she shows in this book are proof of that. It's a lovely book, full of inspirational photos, but my problem with the book lies with the instructions for each bag pattern. If you are buying this book for inspiration, then go for it. However I would caution that if you are buying this book for instructions on how to make the bags, it is extremely confusing.

I've been sewing for over ten years and know how to read a pattern. I feel that Lisa tried to compress her patterns to fit neatly into each page and did not give enough space to thoroughly explaining each step of the pattern:

a) instructions for each step are too brief
b) there are only photos for some steps; on steps without photos she leaves me confused
c) the photos are cropped to show only a small piece of the bag she is working on, so I cannot figure out which way the zipper/fabric/etc is supposed to be facing

137 of 140 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleasantly surprised!! September 13, 2010

By Ashley Q. Warden

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am so tired of being let down by sewing books. Either I don't like the patterns or the supplies needed cost more than the book itself, etc. When I pre-ordered this book I really tried not to get my hopes up too high. I opened the book and thumbed through the patterns but I was so thrilled to see more than just patterns. Lisa Lam organized this book in a great way. There are only 8 actual purse patterns BUT the skills she teaches you really allows you to be creative and create ANY bag you want ANY size with ANY kind of additions (pockets, hardware, zippers, straps, etc.). I LOVE THIS book. I am actually going to return a different purse making book because all that I need (and more) is in Lisa's book. Even if you are a beginner you will love this book and she will walk you through how to sew your own handbag! I hope to find a book that makes making dresses as fun!!!

69 of 69 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Reference & Pattern Book for Bag Sewers September 22, 2010

By Sarah Moon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had this book on preorder early on, because I was familiar with Lisa Lam's excellent blog about bag sewing--it's one of the few sewing books I've ordered without reading any reviews. I just knew that it would be good, since Lisa's blog is so outstanding. Fortunately, I was not at all disappointed.

The book is really two books in one. First, it's an excellent reference book that gives you all the details you need to construct your own bags, from basics like gussets, to more advanced techniques involving hardware. There are tips and tricks interspersed throughout the book, and I really learned a lot on the first read (and I've sew a lot of bags!).

The Bag Making Bible is also a project book with eight patterns to sew. The projects range from simple totes to complex projects such as a briefcase-type messenger. While eight projects isn't as many as you often see in sewing books, they're eight high-quality projects, and no filler like is so common in craft books. The photography of the process of bag-making is really helpful as well, especially when it comes to illustrating techniques related to unfamiliar hardware. One of the things that stands out to me, is that the author chose to make her sample projects in a variety of fabrics, rather than the quilting cotton that's so commonly used for all projects in sewing books--this really shows the diversity of looks you can achieve by making your own bags.

If I could improve two things about this book, I would change the binding to lay-flat spiral binding and alter the pattern sheets so they can be used without tracing. However, both of those design choices do keep the price of this excellent book lower, so they are small complaints greatly outweighed by the high-quality instruction in the Bag Making Bible.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointed April 8, 2011

By amanda crusco

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was very excited to order this book after finding Lisa's blog with extremely easy to understand tutorials with many photos. The book has condensed to one page what her free tutorial had in 15 pages. Well, I can understand she probably didn't want to waste 15 pages for one subject but one page is not enough for some of these more difficult ideas. I can't figure out some of these from her instructions.

Also found it difficult to read as the text is on glossy paper in gray text.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration, instruction and patterns for making professional bags. September 30, 2010

By Patricia Long

Format:Paperback

For the newer sewist; if this book does not get those creative juices flowing maybe a new hobby is in order. Many dynamics make up this wonderful "bible". Technique is high on Lisa's list of teaching skills for the entire bag. Color, style and materials are all well thought out, organized and shared in many pictures throughout. The book begins with a very simple bag with a peek-a-boo pleat and advances from there to ... well, you just have to buy this book!

For the more advanced sewist; reinforcement, closures, handles/straps, pockets and trimmings are covered in great detail. Many suggestions are given for making a bag your own personalized creation. A helpful section on modifying patterns is included. If you have a bag pattern that you like and want to 'change it up' detailed instruction on how to make a bag larger or smaller is given.

Personally, I have been intimidated by handbag hardware; inserting holes for rivets and grommets and metal twist lock closures. Lisa's explanations, close-up pictures and encouragement have done away with those anxieties. Move over COACH and PRADA!!!!!

Kudos to Lisa Lam for a real treat. The inspiration alone is worth every penny I spent on this excellent book. ~ Tish