Review: The Handbag Workshop, by Anna Mazur. Taunton Press, 2014

Most books from Taunton Press are very good, and this one is no exception. I've looked at a lot of books and articles on making purses, and this is by far the best. Rather than yet another book on making tote bags from novelty cottons (not that there is anything wrong with those totes; I've made some myself and use them), this book demonstrates working with leather as well as cloth, inserting zippers in all kinds of places, creating multiple compartments, hard sided versus soft sided bags, lining, creating strong straps, and making all sorts of shapes of handbags. Using this book, it should be possible to turn out professional quality designer purses, in styles from wristlet to portfolio, bucket bag to slim clutch. Making designer quality handbags is a very complex process and I am extremely impressed by the detailed instructions and photographs showing the step by step process.