I’m really excited to share a book review with you today, for Lisa Lam’s A Bag for All Reasons. You may or may not be familiar with Lisa Lam’s Bag Making Bible, which is one of the top-selling bag sewing pattern books out there. Her follow-up to that doesn’t disappoint. It’s a beautiful spiral-bound hardcover book, with the pattern pieces at the back, attached to the spiral.
The first 37 pages of the book go into great depth in explaining tools and techniques that you will use in making the bags in the book. Lisa explains how to understand the pattern pieces, how to modify a pattern, as well as installing several zippers and magnetic snaps. These are all accompanied by several steps and color photos, which makes them really easy to understand.
All of this is followed up by 12 different bag sewing patterns, ranging from easy (‘The Compact Groceries Tote’) to more challenging (‘The Train-Style Vanity Case’). All of the bags in the book are completely different, and each serves a specific function (a backpack, bicycle bag, etc.).
My favorite pattern in the book is ‘The Too Cool for School Satchel’. This is a super-cool update on your run-of-the-mill messenger bag; it has a 3-dimensional front pocket, adjustable strap, and unique hardware for the front closure (I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this closure anywhere else). For such a detailed sewing pattern, it actually isn’t as hard as you would think! All the color photos are definitely a plus, and the instructions are written in a very detailed way (i.e. they’re not short and leaving you wondering what exactly you’re supposed to be doing).
‘The Train-Style Vanity Case’ is another one of my favorites. This is a stand-up, oval-shaped bag, much like you would see in the cosmetics department at Target (which I always have to stop and look at even though I never get a case, by the way). Again, this is a style that I have not seen anywhere else, as far as sewing patterns go. It also has a cute knotted tie as a handle. There are 2 zippers that close this sucker up, another feature I like extremely well, and the flap also holds all your small beauty essentials, such as brushes. Lisa Lam really has thought of it all with this pattern.
The price of this book is definitely worth it, just alone for the 2 bags I have discussed here. As you can see by the other bags in the book, I’m sure you will find several that you will want to make! You may or may not know that I have a thing about bags, so a bag book really has to be something special to ‘wow’ me. I really like creative use of purse hardware as well, which this book has. All-in-all, a definite keeper on the craft room bookshelf! Definitely check this one out!
I can vouch for that being a great book! I made the satchel and entered it in the Purse Paloosa contest, so you’ve probably seen it. I also did a pattern review here:
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2012/07/satchel-sewing-pattern-review.html
Look like a good book and I will check it out since I seem to be on a bag making mission this year.
I recently bought this book (after following Purse Palooza and loving the bags). It is everything Sara says — informative and beautiful. I’m looking forward to making the Too Cool for School Satchel — it’s the reason I looked at the book to begin with. Thanks, Sara, for the great review, and Thanks to Lisa Lam for a great book.
Oh I have this but am yet to make anything, but I have read through all the beginning notes. Lisa is great, and her U-handbag is the best place for all your bag-making needs (in the UK) xxx
Oh I do love to collect a good bag making book… ;o)
Great review! You’ve done a great job with this post – this book will be going on my Amazon wishlist now 🙂
I have and have used frequently Lisa Lam’s Bag Making Bible book so had this next book on pre-order, but I have to say I was underwhelmed by it. There are some good patterns as you would expect, but not enough to justify the cost. I really wanted to like this book as much as the BMB, but didn’t. I would definitely recommend the BMB rather than A Bag for all Reasons to anyone who had neither.
Thanks for the review! I was thinking of getting this book for the satchel pattern and am happy to hear that it’s easier than it looks!
Wow this looks fantastic. A bag for all seasons and reasons.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
I LOVE this book! I remember voting on Lisa’s website for which layout should be on the cover!
Ordered this on Amazon earlier in the week and got it today! I got it just for the satchel pattern.. it really is a great book!
I just got the book and I must say, it is a beautiful read! Lovely pictures, can’t wait to try them.
You sold me. I ordered it so i will be a pro by SS!
Lisa Lam’s A bag for all Reasons is one of the greatest books you might ever enjoy for all we know about DIY stuff. There’s a lot of things you can learn from sewing to choosing the right patterns and sizes of material to use in making bags. And for all those who would want to make a pretty neat-patterned satchel, this is a must-have.