Perfect Patchwork Bags

About Sue Kim

Sue Kim has been designing sought-after creative sewing patterns for many years. She lives in Manitoba, Canada, with her three lovely children and husband. Sue shares her patterns and creativity on her popular website, ithinksew.com. She started sewing when she was ten years old and has always had a passion for crafts. She earned a master’s degree in ancient Asian theater. However, she kept sewing and designing as a hobby until, luckily, she was asked to be a sewing instructor at a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store. That expanded into requests to teach in several quilt shops. The quilt shop owners also encouraged her to start her own pattern business. Her first patterns were for small bags and clutches, and eventually she was asked to make a pattern book of bags and clutches. Many of the patterns Sue sells are downloadable PDF patterns. She has completed several books of patterns and has become an independent pattern designer, writing for several publishers and pattern companies. Sue has countless ideas; her sketchbook is never empty.

Popular Patchwork

Feb 17

Learning to make bags has been on my to-do list for quite a while now, but the construction process and fiddly seams have always put me off. However having read this gorgeous book by the authors and makers Sue Kim and her daughter Veronica Yang, I now feel a lot more confident to have a go. Perfect Patchwork Bags includes fifteen projects, from small clutch bags and purses to larger travel bags - there's even a cute hexie backpack. The first chapter starts by explaining how to insert internal zips and pockets, as well as fitting the fastners and buckles, and it is these techniques that you will refer back to for each of the projects. The instructions are well written, with clear accompanying photographs. I love the use of different patchwork techniques throughout the book, including strip piecing, log cabin, hexagons and even curves, all of which are used to create whole pieces of cloth from which the templates are then cut. Thankfully the tempolates at the back of the book are full size, so no messing around at photocopier. These smaller projects are great for using up the stash and with my own growing larger by the day, I think I know what everyone will be getting for their birthdays this year.