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Introducing My Book!

I am really excited to share this news with you today…my book is available for pre-order on Amazon! I saw the pre-order go up a couple of months ago, but that was just in title only. Photo previews (just a few…some bags are not pictured!) are now up on my title page, so I thought it was a great time to share!

I produced this book with the help of my publisher, Martingale. Martingale produces an inspirational array of quilting, knitting, and crochet books. Their staff is really amazing, and I found out that the company is employee-owned, which is even more wonderful. I got to fly out to Martingale (in Seattle, Washington), back in April, for the photoshoot of my book. I had never done anything like this before, but it was a great experience! I went out with my mom, and everyone there made sure we felt comfortable and had a great time. We had a wonderful dinner, saw some quilt shops, and got the shoots of me with my bags, all in a 24-hour time period!

Here is a sampling of some of the bag patterns that will be available in my book. There are 12 bag patterns in all, and 8 are pictured here (there is also a diaper bag, clutch, fold top bag, and a bag with a twist-lock).

I use Pellon interfacing in all of the bags. There are chapters on using lots of different purse hardware, as well as a chapter on interfacing (and a conversion chart for overseas folks).

Each of the pattern instructions is accompanied by clear and easy-to understand illustrations (computer illustrated by Adrienne, who is also the author of this great book). None of these patterns have been seen elsewhere or released before; they are exclusive to the book. With 12 patterns in one book, I think this is a great value.

The pattern pieces to make the bags are on the actual pages of the book (and they ARE full-sized pattern pieces, so you don’t need to enlarge them or anything like that), so the pieces can be easily copied or traced.

It is so funny to look at these bags. I haven’t seen them in person for a long time. The publication process is very long (which is understandable). I wrote these patterns almost two years ago. To tell you a little about my process…I submitted a book proposal in February of 2012. I felt like I really had such a small chance of it getting accepted, because I felt like at the time I was still a green designer. But somehow, it went to vote at the publisher and I heard it was a unanimous decision. I was pretty ecstatic! At the time, I had no idea how much work it would be. By the time I heard back about the proposal, I had about 5 months left to work on the book content. I had turned in 2 bag patterns with my proposal, complete with finished instructions and photographs of the finished bags. At first they wanted 16 patterns, but when they saw the actual length of my written patterns, it went down to 12.

Besides writing the pattern instructions, I also sewed up 2 bags for each pattern (which, if I had to do it again, I’d just do 1, as it drove me a little crazy to make that second bag each time, but it was a nice variety of different bags and fabrics shown in the book, lol). I also had a pattern tester for each pattern, and a few of their bags were also included in the photos in the book (although all the bags pictured here were made by me).

I shipped off the bags to the publisher last November, and they’ve been in Seattle all this time. My manuscript due date was November 2012, and in all this time, my projects have been photographed, my text has been edited, illustrations have been made, and the book has generally been prepared to go to print.

 I have a great blog tour scheduled for the end of October, and I look forward to showing more information about the book and the projects inside, as well as showing you some of the tester bags.

Do you like what you see?? I hope you do. I really really do! Let me know what you think!

My publication date is November 5, 2013, so it’s a little while off still, but I think this would be a great Christmas gift for someone who sews (as my mom is already peddling this off to people in her office). You can pre-order your copy on Amazon, and many local quilt shops will be receiving them as well. I know my local quilt shop has already told me that they will be expecting to receive copies!

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90 thoughts on “Introducing My Book!

  1. Andrea says:

    I’m in love! LOL I have several of your pattens already and look forward to getting this book!

  2. This looks awesome! Really cute and different bags. It’s really interesting to hear about the process of publishing a sewing book too.

  3. Wow, some really great bags! Not only great patterns/styles, but wonderful fabrics!

  4. Well, that is AWESOME! So glad others can discover how talented you are. Love it. Congrats.

  5. Jessica says:

    Congratulations! You look lovely in your picture. Did you make your dress?

  6. Katarina says:

    WoW!Looks wonderful!!!Congrats!!!

  7. Your book looks beautiful, and you do, too! I can’t wait to see it. It really looks terrific!

  8. Alli says:

    Congratulations on your first book! 🙂

  9. knottygnome says:

    congrats! looks like a wonderful book.

  10. ~Michelle~ says:

    Aww, great news! Congrats! 🙂

  11. Joan says:

    Congratulations! Can you tell us if any of your stand-alone patterns are included in the book? Or is this all new content?

  12. Samantha says:

    You’ve hit the big time now!!! Maybe you should offer autographed copies for people who want to buy directly through you, will that be an option?

    You must be so proud of yourself, it’s a great book and I look forward to it’s release! (8th November is my birthday btw….*wink*)

  13. Congratulations Sara – it looks like an amazing book – of course!!!!

  14. Congrats! These all look great! I’d better pre-order this one 🙂

  15. Cari says:

    Yay, that is great news! The bags look great and it was really interesting to hear the story of how the book came into being, too.

  16. DianeY says:

    Wow! How great for you! And great for us, too, as we get even more patterns for great bags! Does this now officially mean you’re a Bag Lady (lol-couldn’t resist)!

  17. Ella says:

    Congratulations! I love your patterns and foresee a bunch on my 2014 to do list!

  18. This is fabulous news! Congrats Sara on this huge success!!

  19. Casey York says:

    Congratulations! The bags look fantastic, and I love hearing about your writing process! Can’t wait to see the book!

  20. Vera says:

    Congrats! Looks great! I’ll probably send Santa a message 🙂

  21. DeeAnn says:

    Congratulations, Sara! I already see several I want to make. I do hope you will be offering autographed copies!

  22. Amy Morinaka says:

    Congrats!! All Your bags are so lovely and practical – fabulous!

  23. SpartanBabe says:

    Yay!!! Congratulations Sara :o) I am working on the Velocity Girl right now – your bags are great and I am so happy you get to share the patterns in print with a publisher like MArtingale behind you!

  24. green23 says:

    Congrats! Looks amazing and I’m sure will be a big hit!

  25. Congratulations Sara. It looks so lovely.

  26. Congratulations Sara!!! This is so wonderful!! I can’t wait to get this book!!

  27. Katy Cameron says:

    Woohoo, looking great :o)

  28. Sandra :) says:

    YAY congratulations Sara – your photos and bags are wonderful – I’m pinning the book to my WANT board 😀 Amazon Canada shows it as being released on December 23/13 – I hope that’s a typo, lol.

  29. Oh Sara that’s amazing – how wonderful. The bags look awesome, I adore that velveteen one!!
    Be proud (get your mum to wear a sandwich board!). Congratulations xxx

  30. Maria says:

    Congratulations Sara. Amazing bags. My favourite from these are the one with the bikes on and the one where you’re wearing the polka dot dress.

  31. Kati says:

    Congrats!!!

  32. Cindy says:

    Yay! The book looks wonderful! Martingale is such a great company to work with. Congrats!!

  33. kateuk says:

    Sara- absolutely BRILLIANT.The bags ( and you) look lovely. Such a thrill! HURRAH!

  34. Kelly says:

    Congratulations Sara – it looks amazing!!

  35. Oh this is awesome!

  36. Congratulations, Sara! I’m so happy for you!! You are incredibly talented, and it shows in every project!

  37. Meeeepppp!!!! Oh my goodness you must be so psyched! Congrats on such an amazing accomplishment 🙂

    Cindy

  38. Congratulations Sara! Awesome collection of bags! I am sure your book will be a big hit! 🙂
    Christine
    ChrisW Designs

  39. greeneggs says:

    I loved reading about the process. These bags look great. I haven’t made any bags for a while. Might be time to get back to it 🙂

  40. greeneggs says:

    I loved reading about the process. These bags look great. I haven’t made any bags for a while. Might be time to get back to it 🙂

  41. Lynne Tilley says:

    I love love love your bags! I will definitely get the book. It’s just my style! Congratulations!! You deserve it.

  42. Emily says:

    I am so excited to see this book and to make the other bags! 🙂 I can’t wait!! These bags are all so awesome!!

  43. Beth says:

    The book is going to be so great!! So many bags that I want to make. I have a plan. I m getting yardage of some interfacings and then I am going to sew bags when I can. I have daughters, a sister, nieces, oh I can make lots of bags.

  44. sansuey says:

    This is so exciting! I enjoyed reading about the process. Congratulations! I will be pre-ordering!!

  45. sansuey says:

    Pre-ordered..yay!

  46. Congrats, Sara! This looks like a fabulous book — I hope you’re thrilled!

  47. nissaMade says:

    Congrats Sara! All the bags look GREAT! I have so many patterns and ideas for bags of my own but I don’t think I’ll be able resist getting this!

  48. Now that is just friggin’ awesome!!!!!…Congratulations; and I will be getting this book…its time I had a new bag book anyway! lol…Congrats again! 🙂

  49. margaret says:

    so pleased for you Sara, this book looks so very much what I need to buy!! May I ask are the patterns full size or do they have to be enlarged, this can be a problem finding people to do it and is also pretty pricey

  50. Zuzug says:

    Congratulation, your bags are perfect, the book looks great!!! I wish you much success!
    Zuzana

  51. Nilya says:

    Oh Sara, that´s so cool. Congratulations!!!!

  52. Congratulations Sara! Of course you are incredibly beautiful, photograph well and dress to coordinate with your bags. The amount of work you have put into this is amazing and I hope it goes well for you. Of course, I’ll have to purchase the book!

  53. Karen says:

    Very nice! Congratulations! I know this great book will help get your printed patterns into stores as well!

  54. pennydog says:

    Yey, amazing! I’ve added to my wish list…

  55. Mar García says:

    Congratulations Sara! The book looks great, you know I love your bags, I’ll get the book.

  56. Fran says:

    Oh wow! Congratulations, your book looks amazing. And your bags (as ever) are beautiful, finished in incredible & gorgeous detail – I reckon it was a no-brainier for the publishers to give this a big YES. Well done!

  57. Barbe says:

    great bags, truly. looking forward to the book, bags are on my bucket list, lol. i’ll wait til you have some so i can get a Signed copy. congratulations, it’s quite a journey.

  58. aangto says:

    WOW- congratulations! It must feel amazing to see all that hard work and research go into a book like this!

  59. That’s fantastic!! Love the bags! I’ll be ordering the book. Will you sign it for me??!

  60. Lori says:

    wow these are fantastic and lovely. Glad you had a good time. Congratulations. So happy for you

  61. Sharon Dawn says:

    It looks WoNdER-full!! You must be so excited! Congratulation!

  62. Congratulations – this looks amazing!

  63. linynp says:

    CONGRATULATIONS!
    WOW ok seriously a BOOK?!! I’m humbled! Now you know that I pre-ordered (sign it for me? LOL!) Enabler I love the patterns and fabric!

  64. Plugga says:

    Good work Sara….it is rather exciting, and having sewn with your patterns I know it will be amazing…looking forward to seeing it in the flesh or paper so to speak:-) Thank you for sharing the process, it is something I have not given much thought to previously. Regards Fiona

  65. Sara,

    I am so excited for you! I found your blog a few months ago and immediately fell in love with your style! I have several patterns, and have been waiting for certain fabrics before sewing them up. I had been wondering (and hoping) if you had a book in the process, because I figured out of every blog I have visited your book would be one that I would immediately buy. And, as soon as I saw Tula Pink’s post on IG… I did! I can’t wait for November!

    Congratulations! What an incredible accomplishment!!

  66. Leanne says:

    Congratulations on the book, the bags all look really beautiful.

  67. Florence says:

    Wow ! I like big bags … I can’t wait to order your book !

  68. Michele says:

    Just wonderful news. Congratulations! I’m sure you are so proud and you should be. I know who this would be a great gift for this Christmas!

  69. Elsa says:

    Oh, Congratulations Sara! How exciting!

  70. Mhairi says:

    Congratulations Sara. This is sure to become a staple on every crafters shelf. Your bags are brilliant – I don’t know where I would be without your patterns. Thanks so much for sharing your awesomeness with the world.
    I will be sure to add this to my wish list!! I hope I can afford it really soon.

  71. Marcia R says:

    Congratulations, Sara! I know this is a culmination of much hard work. I can’t wait to dig into it!

  72. Kimi says:

    Cograts Sara, how exciting! All of the bags pictured in this blog post are darling. I always love your bags <3

  73. Beth says:

    Hooray for you, Sara!

  74. Paulamay says:

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  75. Paulamay says:

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  76. Paulamay says:

    Well done Sara your book looks great. I was introduced to your aeroplane bag by Katy of I’m a Ginger Monkey. I haven’t made it yet but plan to do so very soon and will send you a pic. Great work and congrats x

  77. Congratulations again Sara, the bags are just gorgeous! I know how much work goes into just one pattern for a book so you have been super busy.

  78. Oh wow. Congrats Sara!

  79. jednoiglec says:

    Congrats Sara! I was wondering when you’ll come up with such news! I always knew that you’ll write a book, I didn’t only knew when:) You look fabulous on photos and your bags are so wonderful! For sure your book will be bestseller!

  80. Tutinella says:

    That’s great news Sara! I added your book to my wishlist. I am so excited about it! You make wonderful patterns (and bags!) and your patterns are ones of my favourites so I am really happy for you.

  81. I can’t wait to get a copy! congrats!!!

  82. Jen Beatty says:

    I love my Petrillo Bag I made in class last wknd at Quilters Destination and can’t wait to get my hands on the book! Way to Go!

  83. Kate says:

    Looks fantastic! Congratulations!

  84. So happy for you! Such great news!

  85. amandajean says:

    Congratulations!!! Your book looks amazing!

  86. Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.

  87. Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.

  88. Oh my gosh, I cannot wait to get my hands on this book.

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