so-so3/5⭐ The projects are varied, some with nice applique/paint designs or cute animal shapes. Each numbered instruction step has a photo, but when each numbered step actually includes multiple steps, it's hard to tell what's being pictured & to follow the unpictured steps. The instructions don't always clearly indicate which sides should be facing where. I like the breakout instructions for common methods like installing hardware & making pockets.
pick4/5⭐ This is a nifty book with nontraditional bag-making techniques, including stapling and using duct and packing tape. Some of the projects creatively use household items (even bubble mailers, Monopoly money, candy wrappers, and AstroTurf). These nontraditional approaches and materials make this book unique and inspire a new way of thinking about making things. I love the sidebars with little history and other notes on various materials.
pan.5/5⭐ Theoretically the projects are nicely varied. However...there are NO PHOTOS of the finished products. There are just basic overall illustrations, no shots of insides or other useful angles. If you're lucky there's one or two simple diagrams for all the step-by-step directions in an entire project. Mind blown.
so-so3/5⭐ I like that the step-by-step instructions for the main projects include photos & the projects span a nice variety of styles/uses. There are instructions for variations on the main projects & matching accessories. It's odd that the basic technique instructions come after the projects, but they're thorough & include many decoration methods. The book is overly gendered (starting w/ the 1st line “It's a fact of life that every girl loves bags“).
pick4/5⭐ The layout and approach of this book are great. It packs in a lot of essential information without being overwhelming or bloated. Many of the step-by-step instructions have corresponding diagrams. The projects are varied in style, function, customization, and difficulty level. A very approachable, comprehensive bag sewing book.
pan2/5⭐ The book has an irritatingly peppy, immature tone. It's organized strangely in that it talks about sewing terms long before providing the definitions.
The projects are divided into seven basic templates with various style executions for each. Those styles are largely not what I would consider hip or even practical, especially in the gallery of bags at the end. There are very few diagrams to assist with the step-by-step directions.
pick3.5/5⭐ I love the very detailed step-by-step diagrams that clearly indicate things like which side should be facing where. The book is for experienced sewists. The projects are organized into 10 collections of 2 complementary projects each (e.g. a bag and clutch, a bag and a book cover). Several projects seem to be just variations on a tote bag, so there isn't a huge amount of variety.
so-so3/5⭐ I like that there are included templates and pages about specific techniques interspersed throughout. The designs seem unique compared to other bag sewing books I've read; I especially like the clever gadget messenger bag (includes space for a USB hub to plug in all the necessary laptop accessories). However, there are very few diagrams/photos for the instructions, making it difficult to follow. This book is suitable for experienced sewists.
so-so2.5/5⭐ I like that there are included patterns. This book is not for beginners because it includes only 2 pages of basic information (which is fine, just know that going in). It also has no photos for the step-by-step instructions and barely any diagrams, without which I know I won't be able to follow along successfully. The 12 projects look fine (ignore the “26 bags“ part; those are just different dimensions of the same patterns).
End of the Month Book Bag Sale at the Library 📚 All these future adventures to take plus about 6 books for my free bookshelf at work (not shown) for middle and high schoolers (“Wonder,” “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” “Don‘t Laugh at Me,” etc). All for $9 😃😃 Onto Saturday #Litsylove 💌 Yours are already in the mailbox @LiseWorks @TieDyeDude and @catiewithac
