Quilted Bags with Style

Book excerpt: The homemade and the handmade have been called "the fashions that never die." With the explosion in crafted accessories as the proven retail success of the last decade, an increasing number of beginners are creating their own pieces. In Quilted Bags with Style, designer Ellen Kharade showcases 25 charming, contemporary designs in this collection of bags for all occasions. Suitable for beginners and experienced stitchers alike, Ellen reveals how to use inexpensive materials to turn a bundle of scraps into a truly personal heirloom gift. Clear step-by-step artworks illustrate every project, and Ellen also includes advice on how to pick fabrics that work well together and on the best materials to use, and tips on how to make your bags sturdy and long-lasting. Sections range from shoppers and totes to smart formal bags, as well as a section on creating embellished gifts and delicately precious evening bags. Using many traditional quilting patterns and stitches, and including templates, every project can be completed in a weekend. - Clear step-by-step artworks, templates, and a techniques section offer start-to-finish expert instruction. - The homemade trend continues to be highly popular. - Embellished accessories are the retail success story of this decade; this book shows you how to create these hand-crafted pieces yourself, with a variety of finishes, from ethnic to sparkle and vintage styles.