Originally Posted by
Elisabethann
I recently took an Amy Butler bag class. After I bought the book/pattern, the fabric, the interfacing etc, and the cost of the class, the bag cost me $85. Now if I take out the $25 book, and the class, it's still a $40 bag. It was the Everyday Shopper bag, which is a really big bag and reversible, so that add to the cost. I liked that I could customize the pockets to suit my likes though. Not making another bag anytime soon. A lot of work!
I hit the sale counter at Hobby Lobby, buy a $5 piece of heavy fabric, make up my own pattern and use leftoverstuff for the linings. One bag I've got in the works was a fancy burgundy/gold shower curtain that I got for $5. I've got tons of zippers (rummage sale finds) that I use and aside from the fabric, my only other expense is some ribbon to tie the bag shut with.
All mine are backpack style purses since they serve my purpose best.