I made this bag in the fall of 2015. It has been used every day since and these photos show what it looks like today. Pretty good! The bag is made from a man’s coat, so it was in its second iteration. The owner has decided she wants a new bag so she returned this one so I could pass it along or use it for parts. There is still too much life in it to take it apart. It’s just getting worn in! So it’s on its way to a new owner.
A good leather jacket or pair of pants usually have lots of life left in them. I enjoy both the ethic and the process of making something out of an existing piece. The jacket or pair of pants have already made their mark on the environment so giving it another life is a plus all round. And working within a framework of limited resources has given rise to new ideas and new designs.
Indeed a great way : to re-use leather
(and have it then used as a bag for such a loooooooong time 😉 !)
I agree. I try to use recycled or remnant leather in my bags as much as possible. And line them with offcuts from the Textile Museum sales. I also buy second hand clothing. I am trying to go for the whole year without buying something new. (Did buy a Swedish raincoat in January and good thing–it has been raining here incessantly!) I do allow myself the occasional piece of new handmade clothing because it is important to support young makers and it is beautiful and often made of sustainable fabric.
Thanks for your support, Els. /christine