Tracy Sews - A New Handbag October 2006

Hip Line Media's Making Handbags DVD Review 

plus Tracy's First Bag from the DVD pictures 

(scroll all the way down this page for pictures!)

click thumbnails below to view larger image in a new window -- close that window to return to this page

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).

My new bag!  I made this bag using the Hip Line Media "Making Handbags" DVD.  

Here's a close up of the body of the bag. It stands approximately 7" high, 8" wide, and 3" deep. I *love* this bag. I used a home-dec fabric and Acro Interfacing from HTCW Inc. link opens a new window), as recommended by the "Making Handbags" DVD.

 I added coordinating beaded trim AND eyelash trim.

Take a look inside my bag.  The lined interior of the bag features a pocket and magnetic snap closure.

WOW...a professional looking magnetic snap closure on my very first try.  It works GREAT!

I wanted to add some more detail & interest to my purse straps so I "bobbin stitched" them down the center with El Molino (link opens a new window) gold rayon thread.  I hand-wound my domestic sewing machine bobbin with the El Molino (link opens a new window) which is a very thick and gorgeous rayon thread; I adjusted (loosened about 1/2 turn on the tension screw) my bobbin case to accommodate the thicker thread and simply stitched down the middle. 

The straps look stunning and really accent the purse so nicely. Adding this "extra" element to the straps has transformed  ho hum purse straps into WOW purse straps.