The Perfect Handmade Bag: Recycle and Reuse to Make 35 Beautiful Totes, Purses, and More

by Clare Youngs

Give fabric a new lease of life with one of these fantastically chic recycled bags. In today’s modern, environmentally conscious society, with its emphasis on reusing and avoiding plastic bags, a practical bag has become an essential part of everyday life.

Every bag is designed to make the most of the materials that are readily available and easily recyclable. Try turning a dish-towel into a smart shopper to carry all your groceries in, or use an old hessian sack to make a sassy bag to take to the gym. Reuse is at the heart of this book, as projects like the floral scrap tote bag and the patchwork weekend bag demonstrate, and you will soon be able to transform an old blanket or a few scraps of discarded clothing into a unique bag in no time at all. Each project comes complete with beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions and there are designs suitable for all skill levels—the packaging bag requires just a few simple stitches, while the design of the adorable owl pocket bag will appeal to more experienced crafters. You are certain to find the ideal bag for you or the perfect gift to give to friends and family.

Genres: Sewing, Crafts, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Cheryl]

Really nice, especially for people who like to thrift and upcycle. Techniques are given in the back, and some templates. The first few bags seem to me to be the easiest, then they increase, roughly, in difficulty. I think teens who have had middle school sewing class would be the perfect recipient of this as a gift for them to keep and be inspired by all their lives. If I found this at a second-hand shop I would keep and try to use it, but the library book has to go back with the ideas untested.

[Mandi]

I browsed through this while at JoAnn Fabrics one day and WOW! It has so many cute ideas! I can't wait to get my own copy!

[Angela]

I like the focus on recycled / repurposed materials. Several of the bag projects caught my attention. Definitely want to revisit this one to try some of the projects.

[Ruth]

I may have to buy this one. There's SO many purses in here that I want to make!

[Simba]

Ei mitään käyttökelpoista omiin projekteihini.

[Danielle Mccoy]

Differently bags not purses, unless you like really big baglike purses. It uses different fabrics you might have left over or in the form of old sweaters, scarves , etc. I did like the owl in a tree bag. It would be fun to have if you have a kid as the owl comes out like a toy but I imagine that you should have multiple owls as I'm sure they would get lost over time.

[Emily]

There are some cute bags in here. Nothing hugely revolutionary, but cute. Bags I was interested in include the folk art wool bage, page 45; fold up shopper, page 66; Beanie hat purse, page 101 (my favorite!); and the mini bucket bag page 108.

[Chris]

Some nice simple ideas and a good starting point covering different bag shapes. The projects shown are all made from recycled materials, so she gives the materials list in terms of length by width of fabric needed rather than yardage.

[Janelle]

Some gorgeous bags in this book, might just make a few - or 10 :)

[Mckinley]

I want to make some of these. But I already have sooo many bags!

[Janine]

Really good for beginners and some interesting ideas for recycling. Instructions are easy to follow and finished products are good.

[Kelly]

Interesting book, good ideas