A Bag for All Reasons sneaky peek inside

Hmmmm, I meant to post these pics well over a week ago, but Mabel was having none of it.  Something about them there babies not being born with their own individual instruction manual and it being a 24/7 labour of love.  Just as well I'm addicted to her really.

OK I better crack on with this post before her Ladyship wakes up...  So this new book was my 2011 labour of love and we are all super-duper delighted with the way she has turned out!  As the title suggests it is a bag making book that is projects focused, but with a difference (a new concept that has not been done before).  The concept is that this is a collection of bags all designed to be useful, practical and made for certain jobs such as: wallet, laundry bag, nappy bag, iPad case, vanity case ect.  I don't know if you already know this about me, but I'm very driven by the usefulness of items.  Of course I like an item to be pleasing to the eye, but what really gets me going is an item's practicality combined with good looks. 

With this in mind I have designed 12 all new bags that I hope you'll agree look tasty, but very importantly are totally practical and a joy to use in your real-life situations.  By this I mean (in these bags) you'll find a multitude of practical features such as: thoughtful shapes and sizes, pockets, compartments, straps, fittings, elasticated bits, poppers, fold out wing-dings and the like.  I wanted for you to be able to make fully-featured bags that you'll find yourself using again and again, rather than using it a couple of times only to find they don't quite fit in with your busy lifestyle - if you know what I mean :)

As some of you might have already come to expect (of me) most of my designs are aimed at the more intrepid sewist, but I have also made a point of including totally newbie-friendly designs that are no less useful and just as nice to look look at.  So there is honestly something for everyone.  Those of you who work through the projects will hopefully feel that they are rewarded with bags that look individual, look store-bought and are made to last.

A Bag For All Reasons - good to know:

• Hardback spiral bound cover
• I will be selling signed copies in my shop.
• Most of the designs are fully-featured and you'll find that these are even more comprehensive than store-bought patterns - this makes the book amazing value for money (though I do say so myself!)
• 3 huge pull-out sheets of full sized patterns, printed on one side (so you don't have to trace patterns if you don't want to)
• you have my consent/blessing to sell handmade designs from this book if you want (see inside book for full copyright info)

Hokay onto the all important piccies - click on pics to enlarge.

Front cover, this bicycle pannier is one of my fave designs, made in Amy Butler Soul Blossoms and Kaffe Fassett laminates.  Yummo!

Back cover with a taste of some of the projects inside.

I feel like have arrived: one of my books is hardback spiral bound book, yaysers!

At the front of the book all of the techniques needed to make all of the various practical features such as pockets, straps binding etc. are explained.  A lot of these techniques are simply repeated from my first book The Bag Making Bible. There was no point re-writing these techniques because they are still relevant and it meant I could focus on designing fancy bags.  That said, in the new book I have included some new groovy techniques which do not appear in my first book.

I hope you'll agree that some of these designs pack a hefty hard-working punch.  You'll find exciting new 3D shapes, new techniques, and lots of "you made that!!??!!"

A protective iPad case that is more chic than geek.  For those of us who don't own an iPad I have included a simple to follow pattern formula to make your own notebook case (whatever size it may be).

I love the model photography in the new book.  The bags were sent to NY USA and shot in grand style. How cute is this little girl and her teddy.  The bag is The Toddler Friendly Backpack - no awkward zips or buttons for little hands to contend with and no lining for us sewists to contend with either!

I LOVE this satchel style bag and when I wear it I often get asked where I bought it.  I think this is because this bag is based on a classic design that is normally made in tough leather hide. This fabric version is interfaced in such a way as to make the fabric far more rigid and resemble the structural look of tough leather - clever eh?

Satchel instructions....

Yep there's even a very pretty pleated purse frame purse inside the book too.  Use satin and a big fat sparkly brooch pin for an uber glam wedding/party clutch or use your fave solid colour and a vintage flower brooch for 'a ballerina pump and jeans' kinda clutch.

I hope you enjoyed the taster look inside the book.  I'd loveto know what you think.  I don't think Mabel will let me reply to your comments but we will read every one of them.  Thanks. OX