LITMIR.BIZ

      My sewing machine is the workhorse of my studio and helped me piece together every design you’ll find in this book.

      In that sense, technology motivates me deeply, whether I’m creating computer-inspired motifs, like those for the Laptop or Tablet Bag, or simply working toward designs that are more bright, modern, and bold, like those for the Roundabout Purse. I think the technology I grew up with has helped me work and see things in a streamlined way.

      On the flip side, my sewing studio also has loads of books paired alongside fabrics and notions on my shelves. I love to read, and classic fantasy and science fiction stories always spark my artistic vision and help me remember to add a sense of magic and depth to everything I design. You can see this at work with the design of the Emellished Briefcase or Satchel, a luxurious faux suede bag that evokes images of distant adventures or simply writing poetry by the riverside. As I sew, I find myself viewing each piece as a canvas for more art, which helps me create appliqué and stencil designs for every project. I prefer lively, eye-catching patterns and shapes to the more mundane ribbon and trim embellishments that are usually too inconspicuous or banal to make an impact. In a sense, it’s like I want each bag to have its own story to tell, and to tell it with vivacity.

      Despite the array of tools I work with, I actually have a very small workspace, so you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to have a lot of space dedicated to your sewing to create some wonderful projects. I make sure that all of my furniture and storage work to their full capacity (if not double-duty!) to make everything efficient. My shelves reach the ceiling and every scrap of fabric I own has its place. I was sure to put that same idea into every bag I designed here; each bag has multiple charming or useful aspects, so you can use it to its fullest potential. The Reusable Shopping Tote is not only light and perfect for the grocery store, but also zips up into a tiny pouch to make it ideal for stowing away. The Reversible Creature Bag looks like an adorable stuffed animal bag, but is reversible for twice the fun! Or there’s my favorite, the Expandable Retro Messenger Bag. While it has the classic messenger bag shape, it also has an array of pockets and even expands to a larger size by use of a zipper applied at the bottom. The blue trendy techno version of the bag is a nod to my love of video games. All these elements make it easy for a bag-o-phile like me to justify filling my closets with totes and purses, because each one has several defining features!

      So I hope you’ll enjoy adding to your bag collection from the projects here. I promise that the designs will give you plenty of bang for your buck with a minimum of old-time-sewing fussiness. I’ve always thought the best part of sewing is the ability to creatively express yourself exactly the way you want. I think these bags will do just the trick with all their stunning embellishments, allowing you to make the statement you desire with the beautiful accessory you’ve always dreamed of.