The Build a Bag Book: Satchels

There is more inside this book than paper pages!  The cover sports a ruler in imperial and metric and the whole is held together by an elastic strap.  Why?  Because inside the cover is a pocket of reusable plastic templates for making fifteen different satchels, plus as many variations as you can imagine.

Whatever your own views about plastic I think that having a template made from it is a good idea, because it is something you can use many times without it getting dirty or tatty.  Search Press is adept at coming up with innovative ideas for their art and craft books, and this is a particularly good one.  Satchels tend to be associated with school but have come of age with an array of pretty and practical designs that can be customized with the help of the template.  This does not require pins as it is semi-transparent so you can see where to draw, and you can mix and match the various options once the basics have been mastered.  There are instructions with staged photographic steps for fifteen bags and these include bags with various pocket types, straps for hand or shoulder wear, a variety of fastenings plus extra details like bows, different shaped straps and ideas for using more than one fabric.  At the front there are pages showing how to use the template, plus tips for working with laminates and faux leathers, what fabric supports, threads, tools and hardware you will need plus how to make your own bias strips, make straps, pipe seams, make a zippered pocket and put in several modern types of clasp.  There is a page of tips plus a useful Oops! troubleshooting page.  Turn to the back for a glossary, index plus how to make a shoulder pad to slip onto the strap to make it more comfortable.  This is definitely a book destined for my keeper shelf and one I heartily recommend to anybody who wants to make bags that are modern, attractive and useful.

 Also new out in this series is a book on making backpacks.  This contains a plastic template too plus fifteen different ways of making backpacks, rucksacks and drawstring bags.  Make one with a teddy head, a useful bag for shoes or storing hair tools, bags with shaped corners and more.  Finally at the back is a project for a cosmetic purse; another winner that adds a less featured type of bag to the sewist’s repertoire.

* MyShelf.com *

Fabulous book, easy to understand and use, to make a wide range of satchels, of shapes and sizes, with different shape pockets. The options are limitless. Like the plastic template which is very durable. Pictures are very clear and informative. Shall enjoy making several satchels. Once again Debbie Shore has produced a superb book. 

* Customer review *

The book is clearly printed with good photos and instructions.

I have made Debbie Shores bag patterns previously but have never made a satchel, by the look of the instructions and with the use of the template I feel it will be easily achievable. Very suitable book for all levels of sewing abilities.

* Customer review *

The wonderful Debbie Shore is back with her ingenius Build a Bag series.

Satchels is just as brilliant as the other pattern books, and once again with a reusable template and 15 designs, this is a book that is highly recommended.

I love Debbie Shore designs,simple because they are easy to make, with instructions that are simple to follow, but the finished design always looks professional and not handmade at all.

With handy hints and tips, this book is just like a private lesson with the lady herself. She has made this series easy for beginners and technical enough for advanced sewists.

Recommend fabrics are given, how to attach hardware and the 'Oops' page gives advice on what to do when things don't quite turn out right.

The pattern templates are amazing. The pattern gives an image where each piece needed is highlighted. This makes your sewing a stress free experience. The language used in describing the patterns are jargon free and each step by step is numbered and once again includes a visual image.

Recommended for every stitcher and I for one will use mine again and again.

* Postcard Reviews *

These two stunning brand-new titles from Debbie cover on-trend satchels and backpacks. Each book comes in an attractive hard-back folder which also encloses a wallet containing durable plastic templates, from which, by following Debbie’s impeccable instructions, it is possible to construct fifteen different bags from each book. There is a bag for every taste and occasion, each beautifully presented in full colour, showing Debbie’s inspiring fabric choices. All techniques including zipped pockets, magnetic closures and piping are covered in detail, making these projects suitable for every level of sewing expertise. Debbie also includes inspiring suggestions on adapting the templates to expand the design possibilities and create even more bags! Outstanding value for money, these books are a definite must-have for every bag-loving sewer.

* East Kent Embroiderers' Gui