Get What You Want

I know the song says 'you can't always get what you want' but sometimes you can ... if you ask.

I'm open to customer's ideas and requests. It's fun to work on different color combinations and create one of a kind bags. Hearing their enthusiasm and excitement in the process is rewarding.


Blue instead of black? No problem! Ikat lining? Sure! Want it tomorrow? Why not! It's great to say YES!




Here's hoping you get what you want this weekend and beyond.

Spring Cleaning

I've been doing some spring cleaning in the studio lately. I'm in the 'use it' or 'get rid of it' mode.

I came across a piece of great upholstery fabric from my fabric stash and gave it the ultimatum. Then grabbed a pair of leather topped handles that had been hanging around, too.

The result?





It's the latest addition to Reiter8's recycled sail BIG tote collection. It's so roomy and has the capacity to hold everything for a day at the beach ... and then some!

Available here.

Look At Me!

Say hello to my latest addition. It''s a kind of 'Cat in the Hat' don't take me too seriously tote.

Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have to know how.
-Dr. Seuss from The Cat in the Hat

More details on this recycled sail tote here.

Sunshine Harnessed

Today is about as grey as it gets.

But, remember those fantastic bright sunshiny spinnaker sails that I posted about last week? Well, here is the sail upcycled and transformed into accent throw pillows. They are light and fun. Flip them over and you've got a different color combo.
Available in my Etsy shop.

WIP - Recycled Sail Luggage Tag

Recently, I received a special request to customize a luggage tag with a number two for a second anniversary gift. Cotton is the traditional gift for a second anniversary and they are celebrating with a trip to the Bahamas. One hitch, my regular luggage tags have only a stitch of cotton - meaning the only cotton in them is the stitching.

In response, I created a custom made luggage tag made of recycled sailcloth with a stripe of navy organic cotton canvas decorated with a machine stitched number 2. Happy anniversary!

I think I'm going to be making a lot more of these ...

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.

Glenn Robinson - NYer of the Week!

Congrats to Glenn Robinson, founder of Bags for the People (BFTP) for being named this week's NYer of the Week by NY1.

'Glenn Robinson used to sell vegetables at the stand in the Union Square and hand them over to customers in tens of thousands of plastic bags.

"We were giving out plastic bags left and right and it just seemed like a problem to me and I was part of the problem, I was actually handing them out," says Robinson.

So five months ago, Robinson started making cloth bags to give to people at the stand. The idea took off and he started the organization "Bags For The People," which holds sewing workshops for the public and in schools.'

With sewing machines fueled by solar panels, Glenn is sewing live at farmers markets. Find the full schedule here. Whether permitting he'll be at Union Square Farmers Market today, Saturday, August 22 sewing from 10:00 - 2:00. BFTP will be sewing and giving away bags in conjunction with the soon to be released No Impact Man Documentary.




BFTP is a non profit and therefore depends on the generosity of people who can donate materials, time and funds. More on how you can support here.

Watch the full NY1 NYer of the Week video at NY1 online

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!

Feeling Lucky?

Must ... keep ... sewing!

Sewing lots these days! On the machine at the moment is a red number 13 pillow.

Gearing up for 'The Renegade' next weekend and the Brooklyn Museum's first Eco Fair next Sat night.

And with a little bit of luck of my own, I'll have a few new products. Sneak peeks next week.

Happy Friday!

WIP - Thanks, Mom

Sewing some extra special bags today for Thanks, Mom a pop-up-shop at 303GRAND in Williamsburg Brooklyn. 303GRAND is a revolving storefront where you can find unique gifts for mom from local artists and designers.

They are also building a Thanks, Mom collage wall:

Bring in a photo of you and your mom and we will place it on the wall. We’re starting to collect photo’s now, and we’d love to include yours. It’s really easy, just bring a photo by the shop, send it to us via snail mail, or shoot us an email and we’ll print it out. (email jpeg format 1mb or less to thanksmom@303grandnyc.com)

May 6th-May 10th
Noon-8pm each day
303 Grand St. btw. Havemeyer & Roebling in Williamsburg

Bow Tie Sewing Night

Mark your calendars!

You are cordially invited to attend the first-ever BurdaStyle Charity Sewing Night!

Meet the BurdaStyle team and other members as we come together to complete our goal of 150 bow ties for the American Cancer Society. All skill levels are welcome, but space is limited.

When: April 29th, 2009, 5pm

Where: 325 Gold Street Suite 201 Brooklyn, NY 11201

RSVP today!

Not able to make it to Brooklyn? There is a free pattern and a step by step how to on their website which is PACKED with tutorials and patterns.