Handbag Designer 101 is the bible for handbag designers or women who aspire to make their own bags. Included in the book are instructions for creating the fifteen essential bag styles—clutch, hobo, tote, and more—made simple with easy-to-follow how-to illustrations, suggested difficulty levels, and color photography. Advice from famous bag designers and today’s hottest indie designers accompany each pattern.Also included is the inside scoop on turning your handbag hobby into a successful business. From designing, to making, to marketing, Handbag Designer 101 teaches you everything you need to know.
If you want to make gorgeous, quality bags with the professional edge that really makes the difference between home-made and handmade—open The Better Bag Maker by Nicole Mallalieu. In this how-to book accomplished bag maker, Nicole Mallalieu, reveals her high-end techniques, shortcuts, and secrets for professional design and finishes. The 10 featured projects teach a range of expert skills from adjusting the proportion of the pattern to constructing pockets, straps, flaps, and bases.. By the end of this book, you’ll have a closetful of polished bags—and most likely sew better than you ever imagined you could.
An insider's hilarious, whirlwind account of his years spent globe-trotting in search of the holy grail of handbags: the Birkin For more than twenty years, the Hermès Birkin bag has been the iconic symbol of fashion, luxury, and wealth. Though the bag is often seen dangling from the arms of celebrities, there is a fabled waiting list of more than two years to buy one from Hermès, and the average fashionista has a better chance of climbing Mount Everest in Prada pumps than of possessing one of these coveted carryalls. Unless, of course, she happens to know Michael Tonello . . . Michael's newfound career started with an impulsive move to Barcelona, a vanished job assignment, no work visa, and an Hermès scarf sold on eBay to generate some quick cash. But soon the resourceful Michael discovered the truth about the waiting list and figured out the secret to getting Hermès to part with one of these precious bags. Millions of dollars worth of Birkins later, Michael had become one of eBay's most successful entrepreneurs—and a Robin Hood to thousands of desperate rich women. With down-to-earth wit, Michael chronicles the unusual ventures that took him to nearly every continent, from eBay to Paris auction house and into the lives of celebrities and poseurs. Flirting with danger, Michael recounts the heady rush of hand delivering his first big score to famed songwriter Carole Bayer Sager in Paris; how he had to hire thugs to rescue a bag that one of his "shoppers" held for ransom; and the story of the Oscar-worthy performances that allowed him to snag "reserved" bags from other, less dogged Birkin seekers. Whether he's relating his wining and dining, buying and selling, dodging and weaving, laughing and crying, or schmoozing and stammering, Michael is a master raconteur who weaves together tales of hunting Birkins in the world's most posh locales, memories of meals that would make any gastronome salivate, anecdotes of obsessed collectors with insatiable desires, and sweetly intimate stories about his family, friends, and finding true love. The result is a memoir that is distinctive, fun, page-turning, and as addictive as its namesake.
The ultimate guide to sewing bags from expert Lisa Lam, whose technical knowledge, creative flair and enthusiasm have helped and inspired thousands while promoting the craft of bag-making worldwide. Whether you are getting started, improving your technique or want to design your own creations, this is the book you will grab for every bag you make! Detailed photographs illustrate every technique in this unique book, from choosing fabric to inserting fastenings. Expert tips, trade secrets and inspirational advice result in professional and beautiful results every time, allowing you to create a capsule wardrobe of eight exclusive bag designs which will amaze your friends – they will never believe you made it yourself! Lisa's helpful and friendly tone comes through in her instructions, and it really feels like you have an expert by your side holding you hand every step of the way. She starts with the basics of how to read and interpret patterns, how to prepare and cut fabrics, and how to select the right interfacings and interlinings for your bags, then moves on to more specific techniques in each chapter. The Structure and Reinforcement chapter covers how to sew darts, pleats, gussets, flat bottoms and gathers – showing you in detail how to sew these features. The Linings chapter reveals how to insert zip pockets into your linings, as well as different methods of inserting a bag lining. The Closures chapter explains how to insert a zip in three different scenarios, plus how to insert magnetic snap fastenings, twist lock fastenings, and how to use eyelets and rivets. The Handles and Straps chapter teaches you six different types of straps, from making simple straps to adjustable straps and even designer looking piped handles. The Pockets chapter contains a wealth of different pocket types, showing you how to sew a slip pocket to sewing roomy bellows pockets, elasticized pockets and darted corner pockets. Finally, the Edgings and Trimmings chapter reveals how to bind raw edges for a professional finish, including how to make bias binding, and also shows you how to sew piping and how to use ribbon, jewellery and embellishments on your bags. At the end of each chapter there is a bag project to make so you can put the techniques into practice straight away. These exciting and desirable designs are explained in full detail, with helpful photographs to guide you every step of the way. Starting with how to make a tote bag, the projects build in complexity. You will learn how to make a clutch bag, how to sew a messenger bag, how to make a hobo bag, how to make a travel holdall bag and more. Crucially, the pull-out pattern sheet gives full-size patterns, meaning there is no resizing or photocopying to do – you can get straight into cutting and sewing bags. This one-of-a-kind book is the ultimate guide to bag-making and an invaluable resource that you will reach for time and time again. "An amazing sewing education coupled with beautiful bags that of course, you can customize!" Amy Butler.
Bags are hot, and this collection from Sew News can't be beat! Brimming with 25 beautiful projects, this book packs value like a beach tote packs towels. Now you can carry everything from laptops to wine to diapers in style! Beginners will love the clear instructions, and experts will appreciate the modern take on timeless techniques. See photos of some of the most popular bags ever to grace the pages of Sew News magazine Find complete step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations from esteemed sewing experts Alter and embellish your bags to suit any occasion, season, or style
Handbag Designer 101 is the bible for handbag designers or women who aspire to make their own bags. From designing, to making, to marketing, Handbag Designer 101 teaches you everything you need to know.
The Bags and Purses: The Story of Chic and Practicality, is the seventh book in the popular HISTORY OF FASHION ACCESSORIES series. This is the story about handbag, an accessory that is carried and that is worn over the shoulders. Modern day workbags are like jobs, they come with benefits, qualifications, and compensations.
A billion-dollar industry, fashion accessories offer a world of business possibilities for stylish entrepreneurs like you! From jewelry and handbags to scarves and hats, Entrepreneur covers the hottest accessories businesses within the flourishing fashion industry. Learn how to create and sell your own accessories, buy wholesale accessories for resale, or establish your own online or traditional store! Providing insider advice, tips, and tricks along the way, our expert fashionistas take you step by step and show you how to discover your specialty, establish your business, set up your home workshop and office, manage your finances, and much more! • Choose from popular fashion accessory niches— handcrafted jewelry, handbags, belts, scarves, and hats • Discover the right sales avenue for your products • Outfit your home workshop and office with the right tools and supplies • Partner with retailers and designers to boost brand recognition • Efficiently manage inventory and supplies for easy order fulfillment • Boost profits by expanding and cross-marketing your product line • And more Turn your passion for fashion into a successful business today! All Entrepreneur Step-By-Step Startup Guides Include: •Essential industry-specific startup steps with worksheets, calculators, checklists and more •Bestselling title,Start Your Own Business by Entrepreneur Media Inc., a guide to starting any business and surviving the first three years •Downloadable, customizable business letters, sales letters, and other sample documents •Entrepreneur’s Small Business Legal Toolkit
Offering an updated resource list and new interviews to offer a current look at today's fashion accessories industry, this new edition joins the bestselling Start Your Own Series whose top five sellers have shipped a combined 270,000+ copies.Basic updating of resources and interviews with successful owners in the fashion accessories business. Trendy entrepreneurs learn how to create and sell their own accessories, buy wholesale accessories for resale or establish their own online or traditional store. Our experts take them step by step from creating a business plan, to setting up a home workshop and office, exploring the market, managing finances, publicizing and advertising the business and much more. Industry professionals and practicing home-based business owners provide unique insights, tips and tricks to ensure success. This step-by-step guide gives aspiring entrepreneurs everything they need to know to turn their passion for fashion into a successful business.
