Working with New Material :: Leather

 I have wanted to do this for awhile now and have finally had the chance to work with leather.  I love the idea of adding leather to bags and best of all, I've been saving outdated leather coats and using them on my bags.

I am still in the experimenting stages and the first time I started working with it, I am not going to lie, I was a little intimidated and nervous.  Leather is not something you can work with and if you make a mistake like incorrect stitches - rip them out and sew again.  Once that needle punctures the leather that hole is there for good.  Top stitching definitely needs to be done right the first time.

 Stitch length and your pressure foot are another important aspect of sewing with leather.  You want to make sure the stitch is long because if it is too short the thread will rip through the leather.  A teflon foot is a must for leather too, otherwise the leather will stick to your regular foot and pull the leather as you are sewing.  The teflon foot allows the leather to glide through as you are sewing.  If you don't have a teflon foot I think a walking foot would probably work as well.

I have only been able to work on a couple of bags and still tweeking the design.

The size of this bag is great.  There is enough room inside to hold a lot of your important stuff and closes with a zipper. The inside perimeter is lined with pockets so you can organize all your items and the outside has a large zipper across the front.

I am really pleased with how this bag turned out. The fabric combination with the black leather base and handles makes this a stunning combination.

I gave it to my Mom for Mother's Day and she was really excited about it when she got it.

What do you think?  Is this the type of bag you would carry?

Introducing the Danielle U in the Danielle Collection

Spring is finally in the air around these parts and as I was looking at my calender I realized that this Sunday marks the official first day of spring - I just hope mother nature co-operates and the weather continues to warm up.

I have some wonderful new handbag designs that I have been working on that would be the perfect addition to anyones spring or summer wardrobe.

The Danielle U handbag is part of the Danielle Collection for this season.  The fabrics are absolutely scrumptious cottons and linens and the design of this bag is roomy but  not bulky.  

The fabric used on this bag is from Chris Stone.  I love it.  I have had it for awhile and have been waiting for something perfect to use it with.  I didn't have much of it, so I was only able to make one.

The earth tones and contrasting blues make this bag so pleasing to the eye.

 This bag with it's gorgeous linen and paisley cotton are a perfect combination of natural linen, aqua and taupe. The circles on the back keep it playful. Love. This. Bag.

And my most favourite.  This 100% linen with the embroidered detail is over the top fabulous and the surprise pinstripe pink lining inside makes it all the more girly.  I'm tempted to keep it for myself.

All these bags are heading out to the Periwinkle store on bloor this week.  So if you want to get a close up look or even add one to your wardrobe, hurry on over. 

There will be more of the Danielle U handbags plus other designs in the Collection coming; however, most of the fabrics shown above are one of a kind or limited edition, so once they are gone they're gone.

Feel free to let me know what you think.  Watch for more bags coming soon!

A Birthday Gift and New Bag

A new pair of pants made for a birthday gift. My nephew is turning 4 today! They are black denim with multi-colour stripe cuffs and back pocket. I can't wait to see them on him. I was going to get him a shirt and applique something on it, but found a long sleeve shirt with a dinosaur on it with the right colours at the Gap and got it instead.

When he starts to grow taller all he as to do is unfold the cuff. You will still be able to see a bit of the stripe because when I made them so that part of the stripe was in the hem.

Here's a new bag I made up awhile ago, but forgot to take a picture and post it. It's a one of a kind and I love the fabric combination of botanicals and stripes. The fabric is absolutely gorgeous. I was even mulling over the idea of keeping it for myself, but decided not to and let someone else enjoy it. It will be up for grabs here.It's a beautiful cotton/canvas fabric that is screen printed on the most wonderful blue/grey background. The brown grosgrain ribbon completes the bag and gives it the finishing touch.

I'm so glad it's Friday! Remember I told you things have been changing around here. Well, I have been working part-time in the drapery workroom that I deal with for the drapery/decorating side of my business for the last four weeks. I am loving it and learning so much! It's two days a week and that is plenty - It allows me to continue to run my own business and still be at home.

I was in their office in August and I got to talking with the owner, well one thing led to another and she offered me a job. I always loved going there seeing all the fabrics, people working at the machines and the general creativity going on there and thought it would be a great place to be since I love sewing so much. I was so excited - the opportunities and doors it will open was just too good to pass up. Not only will I be hands on in the workroom, I will also be taking the calls they usually have to turn away that they get from the public, since they only deal with trade. On top of that, I am able to bring in my work and have it on display in their lobby where designers and others come in and will see it. I see it as a win win situation for both of us.

I've had to get use to the two days I am working somewhere else. I need lots of organization to keep things running smoothly. I am constantly tired more than ever, but it's a good tired.

Have a great weekend!

Hard Bottom vs Soft

I can't decide. What do you like better? Hard bottom based handbags or soft? I've done both applications and like them, but do you really have to have a hard insert in the bottom of all bags. Is it necessary? Why do you like one application better than the other? Is it a selling feature to have a hard insert? I know it gives it more sturdiness, sometimes structure and helps it to stand up, but sometimes the way the bag is constructed it is sturdy all on it's own. Do you need the extra? Do you like it better when the bottom doesn't sage or does that really matter to you? I would love to know what you prefer and why.

That's one of the two pots I have at the front of the house that I planted at the beginning of the summer. I love the combination of flowers I put together. You should see it now the potato plant (light green plant) is huge now and hangs close to the ground. Unfortunately, the blue flowers didn't make it, but everything is nice and full now.

It has nothing to do with this post. But I couldn't go pictureless so I popped this in.

Business Talk - Stalking up and new product

It's been an assembly line around here lately. Working on different items, one day cutting, another day sewing. If you need to get inventory made, it's the best way to do it.

I've also got a new bag that I have been working on and am finally happy with. So I've been working on it's inventory too.



Here is the new Ellen Handbag Collection in Golden Wheat.

What do you think of the name... the Ellen Handbag? Let me first tell you, the names I choose are not random, but are from the special women in my life...the ones that cheer me on and who I care about very much. The bag has a sophisticated, yet simple feel to it and I think the name echos that.

I hope to add it to the shop soon.

Instead of slowing down around here for the summer, it has been getting pretty busy. Even though the shows are pretty much done until fall, I am busy with clients - meeting with them, picking up fabrics, dropping off, installing. The girls finish school in "exactly 12 days - not including weekends" so they keep telling me as the days go by. They are looking so forward to the break and it looks to be shaping up to be a good one. I enjoy being busy, but with the girls off, it's sometimes hard to manage it all. Hopefully, it will be an even balance ... most days.

What I've been Up to...

I've been kinda all over the map lately. Getting my spring/summer items ready and inventory stocked. One day working on children's clothing, another day making diaper bags, working on the computer, booking shows, looking after drapery orders, and sometimes switching gears and doing all of that in one day. It's a lot of work for one person and sometimes it gets overwhelming, but I love what I do, so it makes it all worthwhile. When things get hectic, with the things that I have to do, I like to take a break and work on something different, play with my fabrics and see what I come up with.

Enter Exhibit A.... The Bag~Organic
I love this bag! The combination of fabrics - the nutmeg brown linen and the oversized weave of the floral fabric brought together with the grosgrain ribbon, just pleases my eye. It's very organic feeling -hence the name. It has a fabric loop and wood ring closure. Silver metal rectangle rings on the handle, with lots of slip pockets inside to keep everything organized.

Then I tried another one....Garden Path

This bag turned out beautiful too. In soft sage green and mushroom linen, brought together with a strip of floral. It has a button/loop closure. The strap is held by a wooden ring on either side, again, with lots of pockets inside to keep everything organized.

These bags were fun to create, and I am sure , if I get enough positive response about them, there will be more in my future, but for now, I have to get back to the "To Do" list.

At this point, I am not going to be listing them on ETSY, possibly later, however, you could always email me if you are interested in either of these bags.

INTRODUC-ING!!!

I am happy to show you one of the new collections of handbags that I will be slowing adding to the 2008 Spring/Summer Handbag Collection.

The Carolyn Swing Bag!


Right now, they will be available in the above three fabric choices. Get all the details HERE!

A New Take on an Old Favourite

I got some creative sewing time in yesterday and worked on something new. I usually don't make these little bags, but they seem popular, so I wanted to see what I could come up with and I also had part of the idea in my head for awhile and wanted to try it out.

A wrist clutch....
Front

Back
that you simply slip your hand through and can wear on your wrist. If you are using it for day use, you could also slip it through your belt and have hands free for shopping or holding onto the kids. There is plenty of room to hold all your necessities. It is in the shop for any of you that are interested.

Divided

I was able to get some time in this morning to work on something other than orders. I had to take a break from that and let my creative juices flow. It has been awhile since I have been able to play with my fabric and come up with something out of nothing, so I was glad to get the chance.

On the construction side of making handbags, I have had a few ideas floating around in my head. I have wanted to try and put a dividing panel inside a bag so that it was not just one big opening. Not exactly what I had in mind so I will have to work on this idea some more. I have also been working on sizing. Even though this is a bit small, it still holds quite a bit, but still not quite what I had in mind. I am loving the button and ribbon closure. I scored the button in a big bag of other buttons at the thrift store. Sometimes I get lucky there, but not too often and nothing like the luck I have seen around blogland. The bottom of the bag is constructed using a heavy black cotton brushed denim-like fabric. I cut it a bit too small. I was wanting it to wrap around to the front and back and be a bit higher than it is. So I will have to rethink that when I try again.
I was in New York a couple days ago... not the big city, but a small town a few hours outside of it. It was a cousins graduation we were attending. I have never been to an american graduation before so I was quite anxious to see it all take place. It was outside and it was very exciting to see all the graduates walk up to take their place as the band was playing the traditional march... you know the one. Anyway, by the time Cousin was called up, shook hands and received the diploma... it poured rain. I don't mean a little drizzy or few drops... that had already happened. I mean a full out down pour. Streets flooding in minutes. We ran for cover.

While we were there, I did get to squeeze in some shopping. I get very excited, you might say "giddy" when I get to shop in the States. You all have so much more stuff than us. Well, maybe not more, but different and your prices so much more cheaper than ours. Not on everything but a lot.

I went into Wal-mart cause Wal-mart is so much better for reasons as I said before. I was able to pick these up. The Wal-mart here doesn't even carry these handles and they were on clearance, so I couldn't pass them up. (sorry I couldn't load the picture... you will see why below) Extra bonus for me. I also got some summer clothes for Sunshine which she desperately needed. I could have stayed longer, but I was with 3 men and you know what they are like to shop with. However, they were quite good and I probably could have stayed, but we did want to hit a couple more shops and time was limited.

I am a little frustrated. I lost my camera. Well, it wasn't really mine to begin with. It is my father-in-law's and I had to give it back a few days ago, the nerve of him asking for it back. ;) So I didn't have a camera for my trip and I don't have one as we speak. OK, I do, but it is a crappy Minolta that is so slow and I have been holding out on using it until I have become completely desperate, which I have, cause this is what I used to take the above pictures.

I have been wanting this camera so desperately. Husband promised me it for my birthday... my birthday was at the beginning of May. I'm still waiting. He doesn't understand why I want such a big camera. I have always had a love for photography and have always wanted a great camera. I want to take great pictures so I want a really good camera and I know this one is, because I have researched it and this is the one I want. I'm not budging... I want it! So he is investing prices until he is happy that he gets the best price. So I have to wait. Did I mention I am not a patient person?!

Anyway, I got a little off topic. When I started I thought I was just going to show you the bag I was working on and what I was trying to do with it.

Have a great Thursday. I don't usually say this, but I feel like it should be Friday, I mean, I wish it was Friday. It's been a long week and it is only Thursday. Stop complaining, before I know it it will be Monday again. :)