Bags with Style

by Stephanie Kimura

Create eye-catching and original bags for any occasion with over 25 easy-to-follow designsQuick and easy projects allow you to make stunning bags from start to finishFeatures designs for all tastes... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0873497406
• ISBN13: 9780873497404
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Krause Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.2" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Practical as well as inspiring

Stephanie Kimura's "Bags with Style" is by far the most inspiring book out of all those I own on making purses and bags. The beauty of the book is not just in its lavish photographs, but also in its commonsense approach. Paper patterns are supplied; diagrams and instructions are clear and understandable. Kimura creates stunning bags of original design, but keeps the assembly very simple: only one bag has a zip, and none uses a metal purse clasp. (Often hard to find.) Some novelty closures using fabic give great effect. The book is well set out - into four "chapters' that have a number of sub-headings. Chapter 1 covers materials; chapter 2,sewing and assembly techniques; chapter 3 embellishments, closures and speciality handles; chapter 4, the numerous projects themselves. The day bags are very smart and professional-looking, with some evening purses almost exotic. (The photo on the cover is not typical of the ones inside.) Choice of fabric is obviously of paramount importance in creating a stunning purse or bag. Kimura shows how to use cotton batik, silk, linen, tapestry, velvet, faux fur, leather and ultrasuede to incredible effect using some innovative embellishments. All easily adapted to your own ideas. A gallery and list of resources is at the back. This book gets 5++ from me for inspiration and layout. Great for both beginners and experienced sewers.

Bags With Style and Then Some

I purchased both "Bags With Style" and "Bags and Accessories With Style". I just have to say that the titles are an understatement. They should have been entitled "Bags of Elegance and Sumptuous Opulence", or something along those lines. I knew just by looking at the covers of these books that Ms. Kimura was an incredibly talented woman. However, I did not expect to find each and every page exploding with such gorgeous and innovative pieces. I found myself reading (and re-reading) each book cover to cover. I then proceeded to methodically go through the resource list in the back of each book, while online, to determine just what I needed to get to work, creating my own "bags with style"! I look forward to future publications by Ms. Kimura with great anticipation. Thank you Stephanie for sharing your creativity and extensive knowledge! I'll never look at a purse the same way again. Bravo!

Excellent instructions!

I own four other books on handbags and a number of patterns, and this book has the best, most inspirational set of ideas and instructions. Most helpful are the detailed descriptions of various sewing and construction techniques. If you've never made a handbag, this book is a grand place to start. I hope this author writes about making large totes.

You Won't Be Sorry if you buy this book!

This book is devoted strictly to handbags and all the different materials and styles for making them. It is very thorough. Included is a pocket on the back page with patterns for each handbag. There is so much information for a person who has not sewn bags. The styles are so creative and the instructions are thorough and easy to follow. Your imagination will soar. You will be using these presentations to create your own bag styles- I have started making bags for others just because they were so enthusiastic about the ones I made myself.

The book comes with full size tissue patterns!

This is a book devoted to making handbags - and it comes with a pocket of full size tissue patterns for every bag in the book - there are 7 different bag shapes and 29 total designs. It's a good value for the patterns alone - no tracing from the book required.Handbags are trendy acessories and they change quite a bit from season to season. A big benefit of this book is that the copyright is 2004 - the styles and shapes are current. Several of the bags are also finished with those currently popular bamboo and plastic handles and there is a source list in the back of the book.Overall, the designs are on the funky side - but sophistication is pretty easy to accomplish with the clear instructions. My favorite design is the feathered bag on the cover - very Holly Golightly!Another good aspect of this book is that the author spends a good deal of time talking about hardware and interior construction - very important in making a bag that looks truly refined and not homemade. She gives you lots of good advice on interfacing, padding, and basic structure. She also has instructions for adding a zippered compartment inside a bag - a very nice touch.