bags and purses

Those of you who are regular readers of this journal, will know I have long been in love with Marimekko, the Finnish design house. I purchased some of their coated cotton last spring and have begun now to make bags. This print called Siirtolapuutarh, makes a stunning tote. This is the large size, 18″ x 14″ x 5″, with a strong metal zipper, and reinforced black leather bottom and carry straps. It is lined with black waxed canvas and has a special large pocket for your 15″ laptop which fastens with a silver knob closure (see the last photo). The tote also has a leather phone pocket and a large canvas slip pocket printed with birdbrain graphics.  I have enough fabric in this design to make a couple of cross-body bags and two more totes. This one is currently in the online store. It would make colourful statement as a great weekend travel tote.

I finished a new leather tote, lined in orange waxed canvas with lots of pockets. It is of made caramel coloured leather with a double leather bottom which carries up to make two deep front pockets. Inside there are more large pockets, made of easy-clean striped coated fabric. Carry handles and a cross-body strap give options when your hands are full. This tote looks good enough to go to a meeting, but would also make a great diaper bag with its roomy storage and easy-clean interior. Durable metal zipper and hardware. Width 17.5″, height 13.5 inches, depth 5″.

I had a remnant piece of this great cobalt nubuck, enough for about half a dozen pouches. This leather has a beautiful rich colour and texture and makes great unlined pouches. These three are 8.5″ x 5″ with sturdy metal zippers, a leather carry strap and an interior pocket for cards and cash. They are perfect for taking out on their own to carry your phone, money and keys, but will easily slip into a larger bag. Although with this outstanding colour, you won’t want to hide them! In the shop tomorrow.

Here, finally, is a 1510 backpack ready for the on-line store. I first designed this bag with one of the favourite young women in my life and since then have made four for order. The design gives a nod to the classic backpack but has its own personality. Each 1510 has had refinements; it’s the great thing about remaking a design. And what started out as a request to use a favourite belt has become a search for vintage pieces to use as a signature closure. This version has a great vintage leather strap with a pewter buckle. It makes the bag unique.

Standard 1510 features: large metal zipper pocket on the back of the bag for security, double leather bottom for strength, carry handle for versatility, adjustable straps, and easy drawstring closure under the flap. All the seams are double stitched. Under the flap is a great piece of dark brown upholstery leather. Inside the bag is lined in black waxed canvas with two leather pockets in red and pink–easy to see! It’s made with great butterscotch leather with care and love.

Height: 13″, Width 12″, Depth 4.5″

This new laptop bag is designed to fit a 15″ laptop and to be able to withstand  the rigours of rugged travel. It is made of two layers of heavy moss Nairobi waxed canvas with caramel leather flap and details. All the seams are double stitched and reinforced. Overall dimensions: Width 18″ Height 13″, Base 4″. 

The bag has a very large zippered pocket on the back with a leather phone pocket tucked inside. On the front there are two large slip pockets under the flap. Inside there are more large slip pockets and a leather zippered pocket for valuables. The hardware, zippers and buckles are heavy-duty metal. The adjustable strap is brown cotton webbing with leather shoulder protector. Small leather ties can be knotted to keep the bag secure under the flap. There is also a small carry handle repurposed from a vintage bag.

The bag is lined in water and stain-resistant fabric in moss green. This photo shows the exterior and interior double slip pockets as well as the lining and the leather ties.

I thought I would do a post on the best bags of 2015 which can be ordered. I am still intending to revise the leather gallery so that you can see what is available in what leathers and sizes and the price. But for today, all of the bags below can be ordered in the leather pictured. You can always put the name of the bag in the search box at the top right of this page to see all the posts which feature any bag here. Each of these bags is out in the world now, but I have enough of the leather to make another. If there is another colour or size you would like, you can always ask and I’ll see what I can do. As you know, I am a one-person operation and each of the bags is made with great care and love from start to finish by me. The only way they can be purchased these days is through this blog. If you are interested, check out this wonderful comment at the bottom of the post for the 1510 black backpack.

KD DELTA

1510 BACKPACK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LARGE LAPTOP BAG

NAIROBI WAXED CANVAS AND LEATHER

 0704 MESSENGER

You will remember this wonderful coated fabric I found in Ireland. I used it again in this prototype tote which I made for Carissa. The bottom and exterior slip pocket are pebbly red leather, the handles are wide cotton webbing. This is a durable tote, but one that is not heavy; it is designed to carry lots but be easy to manage with two small children in hand. The choice of handles makes it easy to grab, wear over your shoulder or sling it cross-body. Inside it is cotton polka dot with large pockets and a leather phone pocket. Width 18″, Height 14″, Depth 5″.

Last week I promised to post the Christmas presents that I was making. Here is the first one…a large laptop bag made of black waxed canvas and dark brown leather. This is a straightforward bag with minimal hardware and fuss. The wide strap is cotton webbing, designed to be comfortable with heavy contents–the bag is big enough for a large laptop, lunch and a few books Under the flap is a wide zippered pocket for boarding pass, passport and other essentials. It is lined in moss green waxed canvas so it won’t show the dirt and any spots can be wiped clean. The bag, btw, was a hit and you can see the new owner modelling it at the bottom of the post.

Dimensions: Height 13′  Width 18″ Depth 3″

I have finished the third 1510 backpack, this one is gorgeous pebbly black leather. This backpack has a double bottom, a carry handle, adjustable straps and a leather draw string closure as well as a magnetic tab. It is 13″ wide and 12″ tall with a base of 4″. On the back it has a generous pocket which is hidden (and safe) when you are wearing the bag. Inside are three pockets, a leather phone pocket and a zip/slip canvas birdbrain pocket. Simple silver hardware adds to the understated look of this classic backpack.

This bag was made to order. If you are interested, just contact me. I have enough leather for one more.