Terrific Totes & Carryalls: 40 Bags to Sew for Shopping, Working, Hiking, Biking, and More

Rating:
Summary: Love it, Love it, Love it!
Review: All the bags you will ever need. I love the double-sided bag with two pockets, and the gorgeous City Pack. Just wish I could find the hardware to make it with--anybody?

Rating:
Summary: Love it, Love it, Love it!
Review: All the bags you will ever need. I love the double-sided bag with two pockets, and the gorgeous City Pack. Just wish I could find the hardware to make it with--anybody?

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Ideas
Review: I found this book to have several great ideas. I never thought I could make some of these things myself, for example a padded tote for a portable computer, a full set of soft luggage or a functional backpack. All of the designs also come with decoration suggestions. It even has instructions on how to achieve some types of decorative sewing and applique.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, but disappointing
Review: Though I've been sewing for more than thirty years, I had great trouble with the frustrating and confusing sewing directions in this book. It's a beautiful book, full of ideas, but anyone without considerable sewing experience would be stumped. The author places too much emphasis on designer ideas and too little on practical instructions. I wasn't looking for "wearable art," but for bags which were useful, durable, and good looking. Far better for those purposes is Nancy Restuccia's book "Hold It! How to Sew Bags, Totes, Duffels, Pouches & More." Ms. Restuccia gives careful, easy-to-follow directions, clear drawings supplemented by photos, and resources for finding materials and hardware to complete the projects in the book. Without Ms. Restuccia's book as a supplement, I couldn't have made any sense out of this book. It's a pretty book, but not for the real world.