The (Amy) Butler Did It

So I bought me a new bag book last weekend.  I've picked out my projects but that's about it as I wanted to finish up a few other things first so they wouldn't be weighing on my mind while I was trying to do some selfish sewing.  So I'm going to give you a quickie review of this little lovely:

It was good. I liked it a lot.  The end.

Hahaha...ok, being serious now...

I've heard here and there that Amy's  patterns are very difficult, and then I've heard that they can be a bit intricate but are doable.  I feel that at this point I've had a productive year of making all different kinds of bags and that I have a solid enough background to be able to tackle this book. The directions are plentiful for each pattern, because there are modifications for every bag in this book (which I dig big-time, as I always seem to want the bag but a little larger or smaller than the size usually given, or want a different strap length, or some other such business).

There is something here for every level of sewing.  If you're newish to sewing start at the beginning and work your way through.  If you've been stitchin' a while dive right in at any point.

This book is just as beautiful as her previous books, with the gorgeous photography being done by her husband David.   Take a gander at some of the projects I've got marked for making:

A nifty little checkbook cover will use up those fun scraps you've been wondering what you're going to do with.

 I know, I'm weird, but all of those pleats look kind of fun to me...

 Nifty purses to show off some antique jewelry you've been hoarding saving for a special project.

I just adore everything about this one--it's adorable design and unique strap placement, the fabric, the organization...

This one has so much awesome about it I couldn't take a full photo as I didn't want you to swoon...

A few quick comments...

I have a bit of a pet peeve about buying a book like this and finding out that half of the book is devoted to things like definitions of pins and thread, and detailed explanations that quilter's cotton is indeed made of cotton.  A few pages are necessary to explain needed tools/notions and different fibers to be considered depending on your purpose.  And I like a few pages of chatter to get used to the author's 'voice.'  But when I tell you I have a book sitting on my shelf where half of it is devoted to sewing 'baby talk' I'm not kidding. It especially irks me because these books are not inexpensive.  However, this book is not like that at all.  She assumes you know how to sew and gets right to it. There's a handy glossary in the back for bag-related terms, and a full page of this:

Every project requires some kind of interfacing so she very nicely tells you how to best use it.

 And just in case you love it exactly as shown she gives a handy fabric guide.

And the thing that makes books like this totally worth the pesos?

 Yep.  Full-size, baby!

Have a good one, folks!!