I must admit I've watched more Craftsy classes than I've created projects for. My review is for one of the courses that I've create a project for. Design your Own Handbag with Brett Bara.
Brett is a great teacher with lots of experience and tons of great ideas. The methods that she uses in the class will allow you to create a beautifully finished handbag. She provides you with the foundation skills and inspires you to add your own design details. My challenge was picking the details that I wanted to use in my bag. I decided to keep it simple for my first bag.
The course starts you with planning your project and then walks you through all the steps needed to create your bag. You'll want to watch course once from start to finish before starting your project as the videos are organized based on construction concepts and don't flow exactly from start to finish. Although Brett's Craftsy course provides you with the pattern specs for you to draft the pattern, you could also use this as a foundation for any handbag pattern.
Here's my project based on the pattern included with the course.
Now that I've got the foundations down, I'm exploring all kinds of options. My Pinterest sewing board is full of handbag samples and the Craftsy platform also allows for students to post their projects. So, I've got lots of ideas flowing. Currently on my cutting table, is the Metro Bag using the Clover trace and create templates. I'll be using some of the techniques I learned from the Craftsy course on this bag as well.
I'd definitely recommend Brett's Craftsy course and I have a bunch more Craftsy courses in the queue. If you are into making totes, bags or zipper pouches there are also a few free classes on the Craftsy platform for you to enjoy as well.
I've also learned not to pay full price for a Craftsy course, put them in your wish list and wait for a sale. Thanks to all those Craftsy sales, I now have huge list of Craftsy courses in my library for future enjoyment.
Happy Sewing
Christiana
