Lisa’s wonderful bag making book has been released early or at least is in stock on amazon earlier than the stated publication date so of course I had to order a copy as soon as I saw it yesterday – before they realised their mistake!

It arrived this morning with the postman, and it’s everything I hoped for and more.  You can find my review on amazon, or if you’re lazy, just read it below:

You might question how a book of only 160 pages can call itself a “bible” but don’t, because that’s exactly what it is!
It has everything you need to know in order to make your own bags from the patterns included in the book and to understand how to put your own ideas together to create your own bags should you feel inspired.  I’ve been waiting (not so patiently) for this book ever since Lisa Lam announced on her website that it was happening, and as soon as I saw it listed on Amazon, I took full advantage of the “look inside this book” feature to see exactly what was in it, so I knew what I was getting.  Having purchased some of Lisa’s bag making kits and PDF patterns previously I was concerned that there might be some overlap/duplication with the patterns included in this book but I am happy to say that all 8 of the bag patterns in the book are new and not available in any of the kits or PDF patterns available from her shop.  In other words 8 brand new designs for some fantastic looking bags are contained within this compact bible of a book.
As I had already checked out some of the images, I knew which ones I couldn’t wait to make as soon as my copy arrived, and as soon as the book was showing as being in stock I ordered it.  In particular, I can’t wait to get started on the Oversized Fashionista, the Organised Office, and the Great Getaway bags, but all the bags look fantastic.  There are plenty of photos of the bags and photos of key stages and techniques, as well as photos of basic equipment and fabric swatches to ensure you can identify everything you need when you go shopping for them.  Plus full size patterns for all eight bags in good strong paper and not tissue paper, which let’s face it is a bit of pain to use and doesn’t last very long, so kudos to Lisa for giving us patterns that will last!
I’ve seen a lot of bag making books before, bought a few, decided against a few, but this one is definitely a winner and one that I will keep on my sewing table as a handy reference in between all that bag making.
Final comments:  It’s a great book, one of the best sewing books I’ve seen in a while and definitely of the same high quality that I’m used to as a U-Handbag customer and U-Handblog visitor.  If you have seen U-Handblog’s tutorials then you’ll know what I mean.  If you haven’t then please visit immediately after purchasing this book and you’ll see the wealth of information available there as well as becoming hooked on bag making and Lisa’s very friendly style of blogging.  The U-Handbag shop has everything you need to make your own fantastic and unique handbags like the ones included in this book, and it’s been a fantastic resource for me over the past few years as she sells some unique bits and pieces to make your bags truly special.  Thanks Lisa!

You might question how a book of only 160 pages can call itself a “bible” but don’t, because that’s exactly what it is!
It has everything you need to know in order to make your own bags from the patterns included in the book and to understand how to put your own ideas together to create your own bags should you feel inspired.  I’ve been waiting (not so patiently) for this book ever since Lisa Lam announced on her website that it was happening, and as soon as I saw it listed on Amazon, I took full advantage of the “look inside this book” feature to see exactly what was in it, so I knew what I was getting.  Having purchased some of Lisa’s bag making kits and PDF patterns previously I was concerned that there might be some overlap/duplication with the patterns included in this book but I am happy to say that all 8 of the bag patterns in the book are new and not available in any of the kits or PDF patterns available from her shop.  In other words 8 brand new designs for some fantastic looking bags are contained within this compact bible of a book.
As I had already checked out some of the images, I knew which ones I couldn’t wait to make as soon as my copy arrived, and as soon as the book was showing as being in stock I ordered it.  In particular, I can’t wait to get started on the Oversized Fashionista, the Organised Office, and the Great Getaway bags, but all the bags look fantastic.  There are plenty of photos of the bags and photos of key stages and techniques, as well as photos of basic equipment and fabric swatches to ensure you can identify everything you need when you go shopping for them.  Plus full size patterns for all eight bags in good strong paper and not tissue paper, which let’s face it is a bit of pain to use and doesn’t last very long, so kudos to Lisa for giving us patterns that will last!
I’ve seen a lot of bag making books before, bought a few, decided against a few, but this one is definitely a winner and one that I will keep on my sewing table as a handy reference in between all that bag making.
Final comments:  It’s a great book, one of the best sewing books I’ve seen in a while and definitely of the same high quality that I’m used to as a U-Handbag customer and U-Handblog visitor.  If you have seen U-Handblog’s tutorials then you’ll know what I mean.  If you haven’t then please visit immediately after purchasing this book and you’ll see the wealth of information available there as well as becoming hooked on bag making and Lisa’s very friendly style of blogging.  The U-Handbag shop has everything you need to make your own fantastic and unique handbags like the ones included in this book, and it’s been a fantastic resource for me over the past few years as she sells some unique bits and pieces to make your bags truly special.  Thanks Lisa!

Review

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