The Happy Bicycle

September 29, 2014
The author has hit upon a new twist in craft books, creating a collection of sewable bags and decorations for crafty ladies who are also committed bicyclists. The bag designs, which are well-diagrammed in step-by-step illustrations, are charming, from the Olga Bicycle Tote (big enough for a farmer's market haul) to the Magdelena Quilted Panniers, which turn a bike into a mule. The other items up for crafting aren't as successful; only those deeply in touch with their inner child will want to make handle streamers or a hand-knit helmet cover. It must be noted that the book's 15 patterns not only seem skimpy for the price, but are oddly split between the quite difficult in construction (the bags) and those that look amateurish, even within the book's professionally done photos, such as the decorated bicycle bells. McGee's patterns will meet the needs of a specific market, and crafty cyclists will be very happy to have them. Full color photos and pattern pullouts.