Designing Bags : Typology, Construction Techniques, and Patternmaking from Scratch

A comprehensive guide to constructing all kinds of bags including handmade technical drawing and digital patternmaking.

This comprehensive guide to handbag patternmaking, intended for professionals, skilled hobbyists and students, bridges the gap between craftsmanship and innovative technical developments, including digital patternmaking. This isn’t just another patternmaking manual: it’s the script that both authors would like to have had when they had doubts about construction techniques while learning the profession, equipping readers with the tools they need to tackle an array of concepts independently. Drawing from their own experiences, the authors provide an easy to work with notebook-like resource that groups together different construction techniques, providing concise explanations, ensuring that readers gain a deeper understanding of construction methods and understand basic construction principles. 

Divided into two parts, the manual explores first the working process of bag patternmakers and their skills. It then explains the anatomy of bags and characteristics of the most popular models, introduces into the reading of style cards and technical drawings, to the signs to be included both in a paper as in a digital pattern to compile all information necessary to make a bag. This will help readers with the second part, as the book guides them through the main construction techniques for each type of bag, explaining sides, handles, flaps, linings and bottoms in meticulous detail giving tips for a correct realization. Unique in its field, this book is a valuable resource for anyone passionate about or seeking professional growth in this evolving field. Let these experienced bag designers and makers be your companions on this amazing journey, offering guidance and a wealth of answers to your questions as you unlock your full potential in the art of making handbags of all shapes and sizes.

Born in Florence in 1992, after finishing high school Andrea Marcocci immediately entered the world of leather goods as a cutter. Year after year, thanks to his curiosity and resourcefulness, he mastered all the operational aspects of the trade, thus enriching his experience. From the moment he knew this was the right job for him, he began attending evening specialisation courses at different fashion schools in and around Florence, including a basic course in leather goods, a traditional modelling course, and a CAD modelling course, acquiring the foundations and skills he needed to gain technical expertise in the leather goods field. He soon began designing bags for the biggest names in haute couture.

Born in Florence in 1993, as an architecture student in search of her future job, Elisa Cigna enrolled in a basic course in leather goods and then a traditional patternmaking course at a local school, winning the end-of-course contest with the ‘Florentia’ bag inspired by the Church of Santa Maria Novella. This was followed by her first job opportunity at an international brand, where she met her colleague, Andrea Marcocci. Her goal is to continue to develop as a bag model maker and grow in this sector, increasingly expanding her knowledge and skills.