| If you've ever
wanted "instruction" on handbag making, you really should
consider this DVD. It provides two patterns, but even more...it
provides you with design and technique know-how. It will be a ready
resource for bag making projects for years to come because it includes
fabulous information on cutting, pressing, interfacing techniques.
Also, methods for applying magnetic snaps and trims are shown in vivid
detail.
I
previewed "Making Handbags" about 6 months ago, but never
managed to have enough time to do a thorough viewing and test the
instructions. Today, October 11, 2006, I made the time.
Overall, the DVD was fantastic. Susie
Tilton is non-intimidating, pleasant and easy to understand. The DVD
is professionally recorded with individually titled scene sub-sections
that may be selected as needed for quick reference. Included is a
"trunk show" of several of Susie's bags which provide lots of
ideas on how you might design your own future bags. Also included
are: Fabric and tools and notions sections; Two different bag pattern
PDF files (the Basic Bag and the Tulip Evening Bag); and an essential
glossary of sewing terms.
Minor drawback: The PDF files are
not full size patterns. The PDFs do provide scale reference images
and grain line indications along with dimensions for you to make your own
pattern templates. This is not difficult at all. The DVD
recommended using 1" grid template plastic. I didn't have any of that
on hand so I used my handy dandy Kwik
Trace Tracing Paper (link
opens a new window). That
worked just fine for me. Experienced quilters may not even want/need
to use a prepared pattern. The dimensions are very straight-forward
and the pieces could easily be cut following the prescribed measurements
using a rotary cutter and proper rulers.
This was the first time I had ever heard
of Acro
Fusible Interfacing (link
opens a new window). It took
quite some time to locate a source, but I was fascinated by it as
according to the video Acro is sometimes referred to as
"horsehair" interfacing. Apparently, it is used more
commonly in the garment/tailoring industry. Not only is Acro not
easy to find, it is NOT cheap. Still...I wanted to try it
because I really wanted to make a professional looking bag and knew that I
needed to follow the instructions to the letter in order to determine the
credibility of the instructions and the products recommended. It
would be worth the price *if* it works well.
If you've ever wondered how to use magnetic
snaps (link
opens a new window) in your bags,
this DVD will make it all click for you. I was blown away by how
simple it is to use magnetic snaps AND how professional the results look.
Totally painless!
I found one small error in the DVD, but
it was easy enough to work around. Where it references cutting the Acro
Fusible Interfacing for the handles, the DVD says that the Acro is
20" wide (and it is). It also says the pattern piece for the
Handles is 2" wide x 12" long and you are to lay one
2" end on the fold (which is to be placed with the 10" running
WITH the grain of the interfacing which is across the width). Since
the grain line runs across the width of the interfacing which is only
20" wide and 12" x 2 (12" on each side of the fold) is
24" there's a little problem making that work -- it CAN'T because the
interfacing is only 20" wide! So, I decided there were 3
possible solutions:
- piece the interfacing (cut an
additional 4" piece and butt it up smooth and tight to the
20" piece when ready to fuse)
- use a lengthwise 24" piece of
the interfacing instead of the width (but this will have you NOT
cutting on the obvious grain and it is clearly stated to cut the
interfacing ON the grain)
- make shorter purse straps (change
the pattern piece to 10" x 2")
I chose the first solution and pieced my
interfacing for the handle. It worked without any problem or
noticeable/visible effects as far as I can tell.
The remainder of the video was exactly
spot on with instruction. I found it very easy to follow and a true
pleasure to make my new purse this way.
I started out by watching the whole way
through the night before I started. I prepped my fabrics and my
pattern pieces that night also. This morning, I was ready to
go. I watched a section at a time and completed each one, pausing as
necessary and proceeding quite quickly to the next section.
The demonstrations in each section were
very clear and easy to see and understand. I would say it was almost
even better than being in a "live" class. You get to be
right up front, you can rewind and pause and rewind as many times as you
need...you can go at your own pace and you don't need to leave home.
In "condensed" total work time,
my first bag took me approximately 3 1/2 hours to complete. I
believe my next one will be much faster...and YES, there will be
more. MANY MORE! The DVD
mentions two suggested items that are somewhat difficult to find:
Acro Fusible Interfacing and Magnetic Snaps. We have had magnetic snaps in
stock for over a year, so no problem there. But, it took some doing
to locate a source for the Fusible Acro (probably because it is
expensive!). So, we've put together a quick click value kit that
includes 1 yard of Acro, 1 pack of 18mm snaps (2 complete sets) and the
Making Handbags DVD at a special savings price. Click
here to take a look at the kit // Click
here for just the DVD (links
open a new window). |
