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Book Review:Sew Serendipity Bags by Kay Whitt

March 23, 2012 By A Spoonful of Sugar - 2 Comments

Sew Serendipity Bags: Fabulous Bags to Make and Love by Kay Whitt is a gorgeous book of 12 bag designs that expand into 20 fresh and pretty projects. I have spent ages drooling over the lovely designs in this book – there are bags for all occasions – diaper/nappy bag, lunch bag, grocery bag, shopping bag, duffel bag, backpack and more. 


All the projects have been constructed from modern and colourful fabrics and they look so good, that you want to make them all! It is the cover bag, The Ruffle Hobo Bag, made from a Jelly Roll that has really caught my eye!

The book is hard cover and spiral bound (such a practical design), with full sized pattern pieces inside an envelope pocket on the back cover. The first section of the book gives helpful step by step instructions (with full colour photographs) to help you through all the main construction techniques used in the book (such as making gathers, installing double loop slider, installing grommets etc). 
The projects are divided into three sections – Simple Bags, Intermediate Bags,  and Challenging Bags, so there is something for every skill level. Each project includes comprehensive step by step instructions, with each step illustrated, and many helpful photographs to guide you on your way. 
Here are some of my favourite designs:
Quilted Duffel Bag

Intermediate Bags
It really is an attractive book, and would be a handy addition to your sewing library with so many versatile and practical bag patterns.
Details:
Publisher:         Krause Publications
ISBN:              1440214158
Format:            Hardcover, 144 pages.
In Australia, the book is available from Booktopia, Fishpond, and Can Do Books.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not paid to write book reviews but we do receive a review copy of the book from distributors/publishers. We are affiliates of Booktopia and Fishpond.

Filed Under: Sewing Tagged With: book review

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Comments

  1. Patchwork and Play says

    March 23, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    I had a look at this book recently! Can a girl have too many bags?!! I love “Can Do” books – I live right near them and did some retail therapy there yesterday… I bought Zakka Style!

    Reply
  2. Allen Cutler says

    May 21, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Very good looking bags, my gf would absolutely love one.

    Reply

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A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️ This A quick, satisfying make for your weekend ✂️
This Easy Hexagon Trivet comes together in minutes — no binding, straight seams, and a very pleasing turn‑through moment.Perfect for charm packs, leftover 10" squares, or your favourite scraps.Comment TRIVET for the pattern link.Pattern Details: Easy Hexagon Trivet & Coasters — available in our Pattern Store and Etsy Shop.#easysewingproject #scrapsewing #beginnersewing #sewingreels #weekendsewing
A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess A beautiful, captivating read by local author Tess Woods inspired this sweet little Heart Bookmark. I adored the way The Cairo Bridal Shop wove together family, secrets, and sisterhood — it’s one of those
stories that stays with you long after you close the cover. If you missed my book review, check my previous post.This tiny Heart Bookmark is scrap‑friendly, quick to sew, and perfect for book lovers or handmade gift‑givers.Comment BOOKMARK for the free Pattern or click on the link in my bio.Save this for when you are looking for quick handmade gift ideas.#freesewingpattern #scrapfriendlysewing #handmadegifts #bookloversofinstagram #sewingcommunity
A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project insp A beautiful new read + a sweet sewing project inspired by the Albi sisters.Thanks to @tesswoods_author and @penguinbooksaus for the advance copy of this captivating story.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I’ve just finished reading The Cairo Bridal Shop by local author Tess Woods — and it completely swept me away.Set at the foot of the pyramids, the Albi Bridal Shop is home to three sisters fighting to break tradition and shape their own futures. Inspired by ancient pharaoh queens, they draw on generations of women, culture, sacrifice, and resilience to find their strength.Tess calls this “the book of her heart,” weaving her family history into a story of sisterhood, identity, faith, strong women, and delicious Egyptian food.While reading, I kept thinking about the three Albi sisters — Sarah, Aya, and Lola — each navigating their own challenges, each fighting for the life she deserves.So I stitched three Heart Bookmarks, one to represent each sister. A tiny handmade nod to their courage, creativity, and connection.Each bookmark is made from quilting cotton, wool felt, lace, and a silky tassel — quick to sew, lovely to gift, and perfect for marking your place in a story full of strong women.I was completely captivated by The Cairo Bridal Shop. The relationships between the sisters are truly the heart of the story — tender, complicated, loyal, and full of resilience.I loved the structure: six dresses, each inspired by a Pharaoh queen, each opening a new chapter of their lives. The cultural details, the food, the history, the Cairo setting — it all felt vivid and immersive.A beautiful, emotional story of family, identity, courage, and the strength we find in the women around us.If you only read one book this year, make sure it is The Cairo Bridal Shop.If you’d like to stitch your own Heart Bookmark, the pattern is free.Comment BOOKMARK and I’ll send you the link.A sweet, quick project — perfect paired with a good book.Thanks for being here — I love sharing small sewing projects that bring joy to your day.
A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨ The Zakka Scisso A sweet little scrap project ✂️✨The Zakka Scissor Keeper is one of my favourite small  makes — quick to sew, perfect for coordinated scraps, and so handy to keep your scissors protected in your sewing bag. I’ve never shared a reel of this one, so here’s a little peek at how it opens and closes.It’s also my Pattern of the Week, which means you can save 25% for a limited time. If you love small, satisfying projects, this one is a fun weekend sew.Comment SCISSOR and I’ll send you the link.#sewingprojects #scrapfriendlysewing #smallsewingprojects #zakka #sewingaddict
The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️ Six designs and endl The Hexie Placemat Series ✂️Six designs and endless ways to make your table feel special. From festive holiday colours to cosy autumn tones, these placemats are quick to sew, scrap‑friendly, and perfect for gifting or decorating your home.Featuring:
• Hexie Holiday – a Christmas favourite
• Hexie House – the newest addition
• Hexie Heart – sweet and sentimental
• Hexie Star – crisp and modern
• Hexie Pumpkin – warm autumn vibes
• Hexie Bunny – playful for springSwipe to see all the looks — each one has its own personality and is fun to customise with your favourite fabrics.Comment HEXIE and I’ll send you the link to the full series (available in my Pattern Store + Etsy Shop).#sewingprojects #quiltedplacemat #scrapfriendlysewing #pdfsewingpattern #sewingcommunity
The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨ The Baker’s The Easiest Oven Mitt You’ll Sew ✂️✨The Baker’s Buddy Mitt is one of those projects that never leaves my sewing table — smooth curves, no fiddly binding, and a construction that’s genuinely beginner‑friendly. It comes together fast, looks
beautifully shaped, and is one of my most‑gifted makes because it actually gets used in the kitchen.Here’s why makers love it:
• No binding (yes, really!)
• Modern silhouette that works with any stash fabric
• Insul‑Brite + batting layers for hand protection
• Quick, practical, and gift‑readyIf you’re after a satisfying project that looks impressive and is useful, this is the one.Comment BAKER and I’ll send you the pattern link (available in my Pattern Store and Etsy Shop).#sewinggifts #beginnersewing #quicksewingproject #scrapfriendlysewing
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