Sew Brilliant Bags Choose from 12 beautiful projects, then design your own

It can be difficult to find bag designs that really inspire you: you might want the shape and pockets of one combined with the size and handles of another. But how do you put all these different elements together to create your perfect bag? Let sewing superstar Debbie Shore equip you with all the techniques you need to create 12 beautiful, customisable projects, and then show you how to apply these techniques and ideas to create your own unique designs.
The projects are wide-ranging, giving you plenty of ideas and techniques to try out, including a large, square-bottomed beach bag, a zipped, curved-top shoulder bag, an oilcloth tote, a pleated cosmetic bag, and a three-pocket cross-body bag with a magnetic fastener. Learn how to complete a range of techniques, from adding piping and making eyelets to inserting zips, adding handles and straps and creating a square bag base. What you create next is up to you! Mix and match techniques, fabrics and ideas to create a truly personal bag. All the techniques and stitches you need are clearly explained, and the projects can all be made on a basic sewing machine. The book is packed full of Debbies friendly help and advice, with all the projects shown using clear step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instructions.

Debbie Shore started her career as a children's television presenter and since then has appeared regularly on television both as an actress and selling products on a shopping channel. Debbie has also hosted live fashion shows with a major fashion store, produces her own range of instructional DVDs and writes for several popular sewing magazines. Two of her previous Search Press sewing titles, Making Cushion Covers and Half Yard Heaven, have been huge hits. She lives in Lincolnshire, U.K.

Introduction 8

DESIGN TOOLKIT
Useful materials and tools 10
Basic techniques 14
Inserting a zip 14
Using bias binding 17
Making handles and straps 18
Piping 19
Fussy cutting 20
Cutting corners 20
Snipping into curves 20
Making eyelets 21
Making a square bag base 22
Adding poppers 23
Useful stitches 24

CUSTOMISING YOUR PROJECTS 26
DESIGNING YOUR OWN PROJECTS 28

PROJECTS
Beach Bag 30
City Bag 36
Office Bag 42
Oilcloth tote 50
Pleated Cosmetic Bag 54
Shopper 58
Three-pocket Bag 62
Twist Bag 66
Large Zipped Bag 70
Duffel Bag 76
Smocked Pouch 82
Pleated Bag 88

Index 96