If you, like me have admired those elaborately decorated bags in boutiques and wished they had one to match your new outfit, then look no further. Here is a whole book on making them and decorating them; surprisingly easy to do and a lot of fun. I've been making these for years and sell my designs to magazines so was particularly interested to see a book of them. They differ a fair bit from mine, which use a lot of appliqued offcuts of fabric from my dressmaking as these are decorated with embroidered flowers. Just a few simple and easily mastered stitches are used and the staged instructions for these are excellent, being large and colorful. The fibers used for them vary from fancy yarns to sparkly thread on reels and everything in between; if you knit or crochet you are likely to have a lot leftovers and these can be put to good use. There are beads as well to give sparkle, and even some ribbon embroidery and roses made from lengths of fabric. Each project is handsomely and helpfully illustrated with large photographed staged steps, and there are pattern pieces for every bag. These range from large tote bags for your shopping to elegant clutch purses for evening and are made from a wide variety of fabrics. If you are a novice stitcher then this is not the book for you yet as some knowledge is expected to enable you to enlarge the patterns and sew them together, although the instructions are good. The book is divided into four sections, each for a season with its associated bags. This book is a lot of fun and certainly taught me a lot I didn't know about making this type of bag. One for the keeper shelf.-Myshelf.com I just love these stylish embroidered bags! Susan Cariello, a graduate of Central St Martins College of Art & Design in London, produces limited edition collections of handmade, hand-embroidered and hand-embellished bags and accessories - but, using her techniques, you can produce your own unique piece. With 20 designs using 6 patterns and only 12 embroidery stitches she guides you through the steps needed to complete a wide range of beautiful bags. Each season has its own colour palette - and bold stitching using robust yarns such as wool, cotton, ribbon, lace and torn fabric gives you a stunning and individual end result and creates a definite fashion statement. There are templates and instructions for constructing the bags.-Stitch For 'bag-ladies' everywhere, this is a book packed with inspiration, and from just six simple patterns twenty or more unique bags can be made. Comprehensive, step-by-step instructions with clear colour photographs enable all abilities to achieve professionalresults. Simple embroidery can be used to adorn and personalise each bag, together with beads, sequins and buttons, creating the perfect matching accessory for any outfit and all occasions.-East Kent Embroiderers Guild Each season has its own distinct palette of floral colours and with this book you can make a perfect bag for every occasion, in every season. The designs and quality of the photographs are excellent, offering some innovative embroidery stitches and embellishments. There are twenty unique step-by-step projects, which include templates for each style of bag so you really could have a bag for all seasons.-Fabrications A very well illustrated book making the processes in bag making easy to follow for novices. The bag shapes are simple but made to look special with the use of stitch and decorative techniques. The introductory pages are good with equipment etc. explained concisely and simply. A useful section on the stitches used with large photographs making the instructions easy to follow if you are a beginner to embroidery. The line drawings for assembling the bags are well drawn and the patterns could be adapted for other style bags. A useful book to have on your shelf.(Linda Mowbray)-West Country Embroiderers
