Search Results for: waxed canvas

Next to leather, my favourite material for bags is waxed canvas–and I love to combine the two. This olive waxed canvas is a 100% cotton fabric, made in the USA,  with a wonderful finish which wipes clean and ages beautifully.  Here it is matched with a cognac leather to make a great everyday bag.

Outside there is a leather slip pocket for your keys and inside four pockets, one large enough for an ipad. It is 14″ high and 14″ wide with a 5″ base and a long adjustable cross-body strap which can be shorted to have the sac fit under your arm.  The bag is completely double stitched for strength and sports heavy duty hardware including a metal zipper. This bag is simple and ruggedly handsome; it is not too big and yet a great bag for carrying all your essentials.

Many months ago I had a chance to order some waxed canvas and the bolts have been in my supply cupboard since then. I decided to give it a try this week and made a couple of totes and some pouches.  I lined the totes in cream canvas and the pouches in black denim, recycled from a Naf Naf coat of mine that I have been saving. Waxed canvas is a whole new textile for me and I’m getting used to working with it.  It seems very durable and stains wipe off with a damp cloth. My second bolt is in orange and I am planning to make some aprons with it — before the show I hope!

Here is the second in a series of messenger bags using the last of my waxed canvas from Kenya and leather. This one is for a smaller computer. It measures 16.5″ x 13″ x 3″. It is also lined in waxed canvas (this time from Eddie Bauer) and has three internal pockets as well as the two outside. The strap is adjustable and made from 2″ black cotton webbing. I like to use repurposed materials when I can and the flap of this bag is lined with second-life black leather. Durable metal hardware.

I love this Marimekko pattern–it is such a bright and interesting design. I’ve combined it in different ways to make pouches which are great for make-up, baby essentials, art supplies, or anything where you need to be able to wipe clean inside and out. The outside is coated cotton and the lining is dark waxed canvas–so a snap to keep clean. They are a generous size: 9″ wide, 6.5″ tall with a 2″ base, and have a heavy-duty metal zipper closure. They will be available at my show on December 3.

I love to search for local fabric when I travel. So from Scotland, Harris Tweed, and from the south of France? Toiles-du-Soleil! We were lucky to spend a beautiful day in Collioure. It is an inspiring place with picture frames mounted about the town showing you the exact view painted by Matisse, Derain and others. We sketched and took the little train through the vineyards to the top of the hills but I also had time to search out a store I remembered which sold Toiles-du-Soleil. This bright striped fabric perfectly captures the atmosphere of Collioure. I bought enough for half a dozen bags and a couple of pouches. This colourway is called Collioure Rouge–perfect. So here are the first of the bags of this gorgeous fabric, trimmed in red leather.

The first is a cross-body bag, the perfect summer carrier. It is lined with moss birdbrain fabric, and has an interior leather pocket, an adjustable shoulder strap, red durable metal zipper closure and a leather bottom. It’s bright and cheery and will carry all your summer essentials.  10″ wide x 12″ high x 4″ base.

And then there is the tote. It has an exterior red leather pocket and leather base and woven cotton handles. Inside it is lined with moss green waxed canvas with a large birdbrain pocket. It closes with a durable metal zipper in red. This is a great summer carrier. 16″ wide x 13″ high x 5″ base

Here is a new backpack in great distressed cognac leather. This one is a special order and is a little bigger: H 13″ W 14″ D 4 1/4″. It is lined in black stain-resistant waxed canvas with a leather draw-string closure and three interior pockets including a zipper pocket and a large leather phone pocket.  There is an additional large zipper pocket on the back which  is completely secure when you are wearing the bag. The  inside of the flap is lined in recycled black leather and the leather strap is from a vintage belt. I really like the interplay of vintage elements in a bag and try to incorporate them when I can. Overall, this is a great travel backpack which will fit into everyday life with style and utility.

What a great colour for spring! This red luna bag is an order and will soon be in the mail and on its way. I love this leather–it is such a happy colour and great weight. The bag has asymmetrical outer pockets like this one  but is more streamlined with minimal hardware, has a double leather bottom and is lined in black waxed canvas. Inside it has two additional pockets, one canvas with birdbrain graphics and the second in leather designed for a new larger phone. The bag is 12″ x 12″ by 4″ so it is a great size for an everyday bag–it will carry all you need.

There is just enough of this leather for one last bag. You can contact me about it or anything else by using the button under Navigation on the right.