(Recycled Sail) Pillow Talk

New: Reiter8's Recycled Sail Pillows now available with Ikat backing!







More color combos and the above pillow available here.

Summer Shimmer

Introducing (drum roll please) 3 new Recycled Sail bags:
The Big Dipper Tote:



Guess I'm dreaming about warm summer nights spent star gazing.

The Silver Streak:


And The Prefect Beach Tote (Because that's what people kept saying when they saw it.)



All available in my shop on Etsy!

Still Shipping ...

Sew, ship, sew, ship, sew, ship. Repeat.

That's pretty much been the deal for the last couple weeks. It's been great fulfilling orders. Speaking of orders ... back to sewing...and shipping... and sewing.

In the meantime, please enjoy these lovely ship illustrations by Catherine Campbell. Aren't they sweet?

Just Added

I'm finally getting caught up in photographing and listing one of a kind recycled sail bags in my Etsy shop. It's been a long time coming, but they are now available for immediate delivery here.

Orders can still make it in plenty of time for Christmas. Domestic orders deliver in 2-5 business days and international orders take 5-10.

Happy shopping!

Give Big!

Introducing Reiter8's newest tote size: BIG.
You asked for it, and now you've got it.

Perfect for weekends, beach or picnic outings. The big tote is made to order which gives you the opportunity to choose your favorite number (up to 2 digits). It measures 22" wide x 17.5" long and has a 4" deep box bottom. The handle is 20" long and is folded and sewn to form a stiffer handle. It's lined in deep navy organic cotton has has large interior trim lined pockets and closes with a magnetic snap.

Available in Rieter8's Etsy Shop.
Enjoy!

Introducing: Recycled Sail Pouches

Say hello to Reiter8's latest addition: the recycled sail zippered pouch.

These pouches are perfect for when you are heading out for a day on the boat or beach and need to keep sun block, glasses, keys, an ipod plus a little cash from sloshing around loose in your beach bag.

Whether you use it as a pencil case or cosmetic case, the heavy duty chunky YKK zipper will keep your belongings from wandering away into the abyss that lurks in the bottom of every bag.

$25 each
Available here.

Etsy Shop Update

Check out the recent recycled sail bag additions to Reiter8's Etsy shop:



Blue 4 Messenger Bag


Red 5 Upcycled Sail Tote



Love the bit of red lining that you can see through the grommet in this Square Grommet Market Tote

No weathered wood shingles in Brooklyn ... these photos were taken during a visit to Martha's Vineyard not so long ago. Enjoy!

New Travel Bags!

Introducing the travel series. These totes and purses have a great new woven cotton handle with a reinforced strip of leather at the peak. I think they will age wonderfully.

They feel more traditional and are well matched with recycled sail bag 'bodies' that feature simple sail seams. I think the totes are especially great for men.

A few are now available in Reiter8's Etsy Shop. A few more are in production and will be listed soon.

WIP - Sail Messenger Bags

Just completed another batch of recycled sail messenger bags. Couldn't resist taking a few outside today to photograph. It's a beautiful day in Brooklyn -just look at that sparkly water!

I love the sail seam stitching that's an original feature of the sail these bags were cut from. It's got a double row of olive zig zag stitching and a two thin red stripes down the center. These bags a lined with chocolate colored organic cotton canvas. I'm loving this combination and really tried to emphasize it on these bags.

This batch (and more!) will come with me to Brooklyn Flea's Gifted Market where I'll be selling from Nov 27-29 and Dec 2-6. Gifted will be located indoors (yeah!) at the old Tower Records Annex building at 20 E 4th Street and promises to be a fantastic' market. Can't make it there? Additional upcycled sail messenger bags are listed in my Etsy shop.

Trash or Treasure?

What do you do when your vinyl banner wasn't printed quite right?

If you're Michelle from Cloud 9 Fabrics, you email me. I'm not one for letting something fun like that go to waste; soon it was sitting in my studio staring me down with potential.

Here's a first glimpse at some of the treasure:




Be sure to check out Michelle's collections of organic fabrics. Her current collection is entitled 'My Happy Garden'.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the 'By the Sea' collection which will start shipping in March 2010.

Recycled Sail Christmas Stockings

I've had a custom request for a pair of upcycled sail Christmas stockings and didn't want to send them off with out proper documentation. I was trying to wrap my head around feeling festive for Christmas and it was a little tough since the heat index was something like 126 degrees in my non air-conditioned home yesterday - and again today, thank you very much!

So here they are:




I know that last photo needs poinsettias around the base of the fireplace. They are a little scarce in Brooklyn in late August.

I'm pleased with how the stockings came out: sturdy, clean and bright. Ready and waiting for Santa ... only 125 days to go! (But don't get me wrong - I LOVE people who plan ahead.) I will be making more stockings like these (in two sizes) and they will be for sale online by late September. I'll keep you posted. If you can't wait and want to reserve, drop me an email.

And now we return to your regularly scheduled summer...

Sunshine!

Working on a little sunshine in the studio today. I am loving the new bright yellow insignia color. When I peel it off the backing it's bright, shiny and slightly translucent. Reminds me of fruit leather and lemon drops- YUM!



Given the recent damp and dreary weather that we have been experiencing, it's extra nice to be working with bright colors. I'll update the post when they are listed in the shop.

WIP - Piled High

Got a bunch of bags on my work table this week patiently waiting to get sewn. Among them a few pieces from a recently donated sail with lovely weather worn red numbers that were zig zag stitched by the sail maker.



I've got something bright and bold in the works, too. Will share soon!

New Item: Billfold Wallet

Just in time for fathers day (although these are great for moms, too!) and in response to your feedback, I have created a great full size wallet.

Snappy, huh?

Details in the Etsy shop

Anchors Aweigh!*

This bright Anchor tote is making it's debut today. Initiated by a customer request, I have made a couple extra and they are available here.
Enjoy

*Etymology of Anchors Aweigh according to the United States Navy Band's web site

The word "weigh" in this sense comes from the archaic word meaning to heave, hoist or raise. "Aweigh" means that that action has been completed. The anchor is aweigh when it is pulled from the bottom. This event is duly noted in the ship's log.

You learn something new everyday!

This Ain't Your Mother's Sail Bag!

Oh, Yeah. I'm loving this new limited edition upcycled sail purse made with this lining material which is visible though the clear mylar and kevlar recycled sail.


Two of them will be available at noon today in my Etsy shop.

Special Delivery

Yeah! It's here! And much quicker than I expected.

Dan from S. Rimmon & Co. aka 'Dan, Dan the Fabric Man' came by the studio to show his be-a-utiful fabrics. His visit was coordinated by Layla of Ledthreads and he filled a huge work table with swatches and then patiently waited while 5 of us ohhed and ahhed and made piles of top choices then edited and re-edited until the piles were manageable - or not.

What's especially great about Dan is not only will he come to you by appointment (he's based on the West Coast but travels East), all his fabrics are from end rolls (left overs!) and offered at low minimums - great for small businesses to get wholesale pricing with out having to buy 500 yards. His collection is geared towards dress fabrics and leathers but there's usually something for everyone.

I found the most wonderful soft cotton canvas with a print that reminded me of wistful seaweed - in two color ways! And some eco friendly bamboo denim, too!




Stay tuned for limited edition lined sail bags and cosmetic cases.

It's a Jungle In Here

I've received a rather large backdrop of printed vinyl to upcycle!



My first projects are being made from a great big green jungle backdrop- perfect to work with on grey cold winter days. This vinyl has been saved from the land fill after it was used on a studio set.

Close up:


The first completed messenger bags will be photographed and listed soon.

.... Later that day ....



Listed!

Happy Friday.