Sew Fabulous Bags & Totes: The Best Sewing Books for Stylish Carryalls!
If you’re totes obsessed with sewing bags, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you want to craft a chic handbag, a roomy market tote, or a functional backpack, the right book can help you stitch your way to perfection. Below are some of the best sewing books filled with patterns, techniques, and inspiration to elevate your bag-making game. Grab your fabric stash and let’s carry on! 👜✂️
Top Sewing Books for Bags & Totes
📖 "Sew4Home Bags and Totes" by Liz Johnson and Anne Adams
Hit the town, office or schoolyard with these one-of-a-kind bags and totes! In this handy beginner's guide, the experts behind Sew4Home.com show you how to create ten hip projects, from clutches and shoulder bags to a slick yoga mat sling and a vintage kids' book bag. No paper patterns required!
📖 "The Complete Bag Making Masterclass by Samantha Hussey
This collection of bag making techniques will teach you how to sew better bags. Learn all the key techniques including: adding different types of pockets; inserting zips; making handles and fastenings; using the latest bag hardware and how to get a flawless finish.
📖 "That Handmade Touch" by Svetlana Sotak
Known for her modern, minimalist designs, Svetlana shares beautifully constructed bag patterns along with other handmade projects. This is a great pick if you love clean aesthetics and simple, elegant designs.
📖 "Sewing Perfect Little Bags and Totes” by Carolina Moore
This must-have bag-making guide features 18 projects for learning how to create bags, purses, totes, and clutches. Choose your favorite fabric, then add your final touches with these skill-building ideas and techniques. Learn how to insert zippers, box the bottom of the bag, curve and dart the corners, add inset and external handles, pockets, flap closures, and more!
📖 "Big-City Bags: Sew Handbags with Style" by Sara Lawson
Looking for bags that make a statement? This book is full of bold and trendy bag patterns, plus helpful sewing techniques to create durable and eye-catching designs.
📖 "The Bag Making Bible” by Lisa Lam and Amy Butler
"The Bag Making Bible" is the first book and resource of it's kind - a technique-led approach to sewing your own designer bags and purses. It explains in detail how to create and construct the component parts of the bag.
Essential Supplies for Bag Making
Before you dive into these books, make sure you have the right supplies! Here are some must-haves:
Sturdy fabrics – Canvas, faux leather, denim, or home décor fabrics for durability. Shop canvas fabric. Shop faux leather fabric.
Interfacing & stabilizers – For structured, professional-looking bags. Shop on Amazon.
Bag hardware – Think zippers, buckles, D-rings, and magnetic snaps! Shop on Amazon
Strong thread – Polyester or nylon thread works best for heavy-duty stitching. Shop on Amazon.
Sewing machine needles – Heavy-duty or denim needles help tackle thicker fabrics. Shop on Amazon.
Check out my favorite bag-making supplies here (affiliate link) for everything you need! 🛍️
Bonus Tips for Bag Sewing Success
💡 Practice with scrap fabric – Before cutting into your favorite print, test stitches and techniques on a scrap piece.
💡 Use clips instead of pins – Clips hold layers together without distorting thick fabrics.
💡 Press your seams – A good press with an iron makes all the difference for a polished, professional look.
💡 Add a lining – Even if it’s optional, a lining makes your bag sturdier and hides raw edges beautifully!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewist looking to expand your skills, these books will have you stitching up gorgeous bags in no time. Which one will you tote-ally start with first? Let me know in the comments! Happy sewing! 👜✨
📌 Shop these books now and start creating your dream bag collection!