All the techniques for making a uniquely personal purse are right here. Forty projects offer a wide variety of fabulous choices, featuring great fabrics and design options, including novelty threads, raffia ribbon, straps made of jeweled necklaces and bracelets, beautiful yet easy embroidery, and more. Crafters who really want to start from scratch will find 25 simple sewing projects, all originating from seven basic patterns, ranging from a flat folding purse to an oval pocketbook made from iridescent ruched silk. Another 15 designs use plain store-bought bags as a canvas for creative embellishments, such as transforming a simple black clutch with elegant silk flowers, or turn a basic leather purse into something special with whimsical applique. An attractive gallery provides additional inspiration. "A Main Selection of the Crafters Choice Book Club."

"An editor for Lark Books, Shrader began sewing at age 11; here she shares her passion with readers in a lavishly illustrated how-to. For Shrader, 'what a girl really wants is a fabulous, never-seen-it-before can't-even-buy-it handbag,' and her book sets out to show readers how to make not one but 40. Each bag gets its own verso-recto spread, with its own name ('The Summer of Love Pouch,' 'The Marie Antoinette'), full-page color shot and page of directions. Not every bag here has been made by Shrader, but her directions are short and clear throughout. Though the general absence of patterns for most may be off-putting to some, a set of 'standard techniques' covers most all of the bags shown (with a few detailed as needed); a section of basics covers materials, linings, embellishments, 'Sewing 101' terms and a 'project key,' and should carry most readers with basic skills through the book-and on to carrying the bags themselves." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)