Book Review : Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics

Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics By Emiko Takahashi

 

Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics Book Contains 20 Bags Designs. It Comes with Pattern Sheets.

For 9 Bags Patterns are there and for the 11 bags Drafting instructions are available. 

The total 60 Bags are the variations of the 20 Bags. Bag with Frame (Bag Shape Variation) and Reversible Bags (Handle Style Variation) has 2 Separate Patterns for its Variations. Most of the Variations are the Sizes, the bags have details to make in small and large sizes. 

The Eco Bag (5 Variations) , Little Fancy Purse in Soft Fabric (8 Variations) and Vase Shaped Bag (13 Variations) are the bags with too many unnecessary Variations to increase the no. of bags as the difference in the designs are just the fabric prints or the decorations on the bag.

The Sewing Instructions are clear and simple with pictures on each step. There are complete details of items used in making the bags like the interfacing, wadding, frames, clasp, latch and embroidery stitches.

Contents

Pattern Sheet Printed on both the Sides

The Book is divided into 3 Categories Shopping Bags, Everyday Bags and Fashion Bags. 

1. Shopping Bags has 6 Bags, 4 of which has Patterns. Two Way Bag and Checkout Basket Bags has Drafting Instructions. Two way bag is the easiest to make. The Reversible Bags, Checkout Basket Bags and Eco Bags are the best designs.

Checkout Basket Bag

Checkout Basket Bag Sewing Instructions

Reversible Bags

Eco Bag Sewing Instructions

2. Everyday Bags has 8 Bag designs - Purses, Totes and Bags. Only the Little Fancy Purse has Pattern, rest 7 Bags and Purses have drafting instructions. Everyday bags has simpler bags and purses designs which a beginner can make easily. The tote bags are the best designs in everyday bags.

3. Fashion Bags has 6 Bags designs - 4 has Patterns and 2 have drafting instructions. The Vase Shaped Bag is a very interesting design to make.

Bag with Frame

Vase-shaped Bag

The 60 Bags :

1 - Contrasting Fabric Bag with Handles (Pattern Sheet)

2 - La Applique Bag with Handles (Pattern Sheet)

3 - Two Way Bag

4 - Checkout Basket Bag

5 - 10 - Eco Bag (Pattern Sheet)

11, 12 - Reversible Bags (Pattern Sheet - Separate Patterns for the 11 and 12 as handle style is different)

13 - 16 - Little Purse and Shoulder Bag with Flaps (S, L Sizes)

17, 18 - Tote Bag with Gusset (S, L Sizes)

19, 20 - Flat Bag (S, L Sizes)

21 - Long Tote with Floral Motifs

22 - Tote with Pompom

23 - 25 - Picnic Tote (S, M, L Sizes)

26 - 29 - Purse and Shoulder Bag With Spring Clasp

30 - 38 - Little Fancy Purse in Soft Fabric (Pattern Sheet)

39, 40 - Bag with Frame (Pattern Sheet - Separate Patterns for the 39 and 40 as shape is different)

41, 42 - Small Bag (Pattern Sheet)

43, 44 - Bag with Lace-trim Zipper (S, L Sizes) (Pattern Sheet)

45 - 58 - Vase-shaped Bag (Pattern Sheet)

59 - Tucked Bag with Corsage

60 - Tucked Bag with Floral Embroidery

Overall the book is very good, though the book does not contain 60 bags as mentioned in the cover, the 20 designs which is there are pretty good and all bags are simple and usable. There is no complicated bags. I liked the sewing instructions which is very clear and step by step instructions with pictures. Perfect book for a beginner. Do not forget to add Seam allowance to all the Patterns.

Vase-shaped Bag Which I made

Eco Bag Which I made

Eco Bag Which I made

The Preview of this Book is in the Link Below :

Book Preview : Handmade Bags in Natural Fabrics by Emiko Takahashi

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Book Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review : Skirt-A-Day Sewing

Skirt-A-Day Sewing : Create 28 Skirts For a Unique Look Everyday

By Nicole Smith

Jazz Age (High-Waisted), Pocket Change (Wrap), High Definition (Straight with Flared Hem), Double-Time Wrap,
Piece Gathering (Flared), Super Fly (Straight), Frill Seeker Wrap

Skirt-A-Day Sewing Book contains Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-Waisted Skirts Patterns and Variations in it. The instructions are very clear and are in detail. In total 32 Skirt Designs are there. This book does not include Pattern Sheets. It has Drafting and Sewing instructions for all the skirts.

Details of Hand Stitches, Different Seams, Seam Edge Finishing, Hem Finishing, Garment Closures like Buttons, Snaps and Zippers are explained with Pictures.

First Basic Skirt Sloper with Two Darts is Drafted. Test the Sloper with the Muslin and Adjust the Skirt if required as per instructions and Create the Final Paper Pattern. To Change the Pattern to One dart Pattern and Increase or Shorten the Length of Skirt Pattern is also given.

Using the Basic Skirt Pattern, Basic Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-waisted Skirts Patterns are created. And these Patterns are Used respectively to create the 7 Styles in each head. Sewing the Basic Wrap, Straight, Flared and High-waisted Skirts are also explained.

Wrap Skirts :

Wrap Skirts includes Basic Wrap Skirt with Gap in Waistband for the Ties, 

Other Patterns of Wrap Skirts are - 

1. Patch Pocket and Waistband with Different Fabric - Simple Design
2. Centre Front closure with Button and Flap Pockets - No Waistband Ties (Picture on Cover Page)
3. Inseam Pockets, Waistband Ties are ruched (gathered) as design and Applique is added to the Skirt (Picture below) 
4. Reversible Skirt with Scalloped Hem and Hook and Eye Closure (Picture on Cover Page)
5. Short Tulip Skirt with Snap Closure and Pockets
6. Tucks is created for Design element, Lining is used and Waistband with gap or slit is made on one side seam of the waistband for the waist  ties to slide through
7. Flounces are added on the Skirt with Snap Closure (Picture on Cover Page)

Front closure (2), Reversible Skirt (4) and Tulip Skirt (5) are the Best Designs in Wrap Skirt.

In  Skirt with Flounces (7) the Placement of the  Flounces in the design is not mentioned. 

Basic Wrap Skirt

Basic Wrap Skirt Sewing Instructions

Straight Skirts:

Straight Skirts includes Basic Straight Skirt with Two Darts, Back Slit and Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of Straight Skirts are - 

1. Front Button Closure with Pockets
2. Knife Pleated Skirt
3. Godets (Triangular-shaped fabric inserts) of contrast fabric is inserted (Picture on Cover Page)
4. Design element is created with manipulating the Striped Fabric and Pockets are added (Picture below) 
5. Asymmetrical Darts on the Front and Elastic Waistband on the Back Side of the Skirt
6. Front Fly Zipper Closure, Pockets on the Back Side and Belt Loops on the Waistband (Picture on Cover Page)
7. Front Skirt Style with Pleats, Curvier Shape below the Hip Line to Hem and Yokes in Front and Back Sides with Side Zipper Closure (Picture below) 

The Knife Pleat Skirt (2) becomes the Flared Skirt and Godet Skirt (3) have Flared Hemline.

All the Straight Skirt Patterns are Good and Stylish.

Flared Skirts:

Flared Skirts includes Basic Flared Skirt with Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of Flared Skirts are -

1. Gathered Skirt
2. Layered Skirt with Sheer Overlay and Longer Underlay (Picture below)
3. Panelled Skirt with Lining
4. Inverted Box Pleat Skirt
5. Design Element is created with Gathered Panels added on the Sides (Picture on Cover Page)
6. Bubble Hem Skirt (Picture below)
7. Panelled Skirt with Separate Pleat Extension added between the panels in the Pattern

Bubble Hem Skirt (6) is the Best Design in Flared Skirt though the fabric used is not that great, this Design can be Used to make the Bubble Dress.

Gathered Panels on the sides (5) is an Interesting  Design which was Best for the Printed Fabric  used in the Design.

High-Waisted Skirts:

High-Waisted Skirts includes Basic High-Waisted Skirt with Two Darts and Zipper Closure,

Other Patterns of High-Waisted Skirts are -

1. Trumpet Silhouette Skirt (Picture on Cover Page)
2. Sailor Style Yoke on the Front with Buttons and Side Zipper Closure (Picture below)
3. Panelled Skirt with Pockets as a part of the Panel
4. Button Closure with Pleats (Picture below)
5. Tucks with Exposed Zipper on the Front Pattern (Picture below)
6. Pleats on the Front with Inseam Pockets and Center-Back Zipper
7. Asymmetrical Opening with Exposed Zipper and Welt Pocket

Trumpet Silhouette Skirt (1) is the Best Design in High-Waisted Skirt. 

Both the Exposed Zipper Style is not that great - One is with tucks design (5) is pointless the dart is widened it looks like and  Asymmetrical Opening (7) also looks weird, only the Welt Pocket is good in it. 

Good Points:

• Drafting and Sewing Instructions are in Detail.
• The Variations with Pockets - the Drafting and its Sewing is explained with Step by Step Pictures Wherever Required. (Pocket Change, Spring Loaded Wrap, Strong Suit, Tough Luxe Skirt)
• Best Designs are the Straight Skirts and Few of Wrap Skirts.

Bad Points:

• Patterns are Knee Length or Short Length. Though in the beginning of the book detail is given to Increase the Length of the Skirt, the Design Style in This Book will Look Good in the Short or Knee Length Only.
• High-Waisted Skirt Designs are not that good.
• Fabric used in the designs are the best. But the Type of Fabric used is not mentioned, few you can recognize by the pictures or by the title of the pattern. 

Overall the Book is Great and is Useful to You If You Like Short Skirts and Knee Length Skirts. If You Like the Longer Skirts then Skip It. I liked the Step by Step Instructions with Pictures on the Required Designs. This Book is Good for Beginners also.

The Preview of this Book is in the Link Below:

Book Preview : Skirt-A-Day Sewing

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Book Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review : The Complete Color Harmony

The Complete Color Harmony by Tina Sutton

The Complete Color Harmony is the best color guide. It includes the Color Wheel, Color Schemes, 26 moods like Soft, Friendly and more with vast arrays of Color combinations, the Psychology of Colors and Color swatches.

The Color Wheel is divided into twelve segments. How to use the color is explained and the color wheel is shown in chart form to understand the hue, shade and tints.

The book is divided into the aspects of color, color schemes and color combinations. 

The Aspects of Color includes Hot, Cold, Warm, Cool, Light Dark, Pale and Bright.

The Color Schemes includes Achromatic, Analogous, Clash, Complementary, Monochromatic, Neutral, Split Complementary, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Triad Scheme.

There are 26 moods like Powerful, Rich, Romantic and more with 60 Color Combinations in each mood with a total of 1560 Color Combinations. 

It is further classified under Monochromatic, Primary / Secondary / Tertiary, Complementary, Analogus, Split Complementary, Split, Clash, Neutral. It helps in choosing the color easily, like if I want to know the Complementary colors in the Calm mood or a Monochromatic Colors in the Refreshing mood.

The Psychology of colors - Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, Brown, Gray, White and Black are explained as why we choose a particular color, what a color signifies. Like Red is Vibrant, Orange is friendly and cheerful, Green is Calming, Brown is Comforting and so on.

The Color trends explains the choice of color based on Age, Gender, Ethnicity.

There is a CMYK Color Conversion Chart for the 106 colors and Color Swatches for all the 106 colors.

Overall The Complete Color Harmony is a Great Book. It has a variety of Color Palettes with more than 1000 color combinations to refer. The book also gives few details about Metallic and Fluorescent Palettes and Color Trends. The Psychology of Color is Explained nicely.

The Preview of this Book is in the Link Below:

Book Preview : The Complete Color Harmony

There is a YouTube Video by Emode Sewing where Color Theory is explained clearly, Find the Link below:

Color Theory in Fashion Design

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Book Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review : Design-It-Yourself Clothes : Patternmaking Simplified By Cal Patch

 Design-It-Yourself Clothes : Patternmaking Simplified By Cal Patch

Stella Blouse, Betsy Jacket, Charlotte Top
Gertie Dress, Miette Dress, Basic Dress

Design-It-Yourself Clothes : Patternmaking Simplified By Cal Patch is not a book for beginners. The book includes Pattern making details of Skirt, T-Shirt, Shirt, Dress and Pants. The instructions would be very difficult to understand if you are a beginner. 

The Book has a total of 20 designs:

Skirts: 

Basic Skirt - Basic Drafting of a Skirt, Pockets and Side Zipper is used

Laura Skirt - Skirt Variation with Yoke and Ruffle

Rosie Skirt - Skirt Variation with Waistband and Side Button Closure

Phoebe Skirt - Flared Skirt using Slash and Spread technique from basic skirt pattern, Pockets

T-Shirts:

Basic T - Basic Drafting of T-Shirt and Sleeve, Long Sleeve

Marguerite T - T-Shirt Variation with Yoke

Charlotte Top - T-Shirt Variation with Shirring in Neckline and Sleeve, Short Sleeve

Sofie T - T-Shirt Pattern with little flare using Slash and Spread technique, Gathered Cuff

Shirts:

Basic Shirt - Basic Drafting of T-Shirt, Sleeve and Collar

Betsy Jacket - Shirt Variation with Gathered Waistline

Stella Blouse - Shirt Variation with Pin tucked Placket and Mandarin Collar 

Miho Shirt - Shirt Pattern with little flare using Slash and Spread technique and Shirring in Neckline

Dress:

Basic Dress - Gathered Flare Dress with Strappy Bodice

Gertie Dress - T-Shirt Pattern with Yoke and Ruffle

Miette Dress - Shirt Pattern with Drawstring Gathered Waist

Kathy Dress - Miette Dress Pattern with a flare using Slash and Spread technique and Yoke in Neckline

Pants:

Basic Pant - Basic Pant Drafting with Pockets and Side Button Closure

Annie Trousers -  Pant Variation with Front Zip Closure and Pleated Patch Pockets

Olivia Knickers - Pant Variation with Drawstring Closure, Pockets and Ties at the knees

Carla Palazzo - Pant Pattern with flare using Slash and Spread technique and Pockets

Good Points:

• The Design Detail of the Dress is Shown in all the 20 designs
• The Measurements required is Shown with Picture and Explained Clearly
• The Pattern detail in Skirt and T-Shirt are nice and Shirt Pattern is Similar to T-shirt with functional ease taken on measurements
• The Pockets made in garments are all of different styles and the drafting is explained nicely

.

Bad Points:

This book has more of bad points than the good ones, the garments are very nice and lovely, but to make the garments no proper instructions are given.

• Since it is a pattern making book, the Sewing instructions are not in detail, if you are a beginner you will find it difficult to understand many things.
• The Pant Pattern is very confusing to follow.
• Not enough pictures of drafting steps, I could not understand which side of the pattern I have to mark for a particular measurement as only the final drafted picture of the Pant is shown.
• The Basic Dress bodice pattern is just a rectangle with a curved shape marked for neckline and Shoulder Straps are added to the dress, it is just like a simple baby dress made with rectangle pieces of fabric - the one on the bottom right side of cover page, rest 3 dresses are made from T-shirt and Shirt Patterns.
• Too much explanation and not enough pictures.
• Insider Sewing Techniques includes Seam Finishes, Neckline Finishes, adding Invisible Zipper and again just explanations and no pictures except there is one picture of Blind Hemming.

Overall the book is not worth the price, the T-shirt pattern is the only useful pattern. I loved the book and its designs when I bought it but while trying to draft the patterns I did not like it. I would say skip it. There are few details which is very useful in this book like the Taking Your  Measurements Page, the Placket, the Pockets and the T-Shirt Pattern.

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Book Rating : ⭐⭐