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  I love the idea of adding leather to bags and best of all, I've been saving outdated leather coats and using them on my bags.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!

La Patissiere

Remember I gave you a sneak peak a few days ago?  Well, I am finally done and happy to show you what I have been working on.  La Patissiere - a new collection of Couverture aprons,  that I am very excited about.

The website has been updated and uploaded and there is also a sale til March 4th on anything you purchase online at the website.  Go on over and check out the sale information here and see more of the Couvertures and details about them here.

Come back and tell me what you think.