I’m excited to be officially back in the studio and explore new ideas to share with you.
INTRODUCING
SEASONAL COLLECTION
Available while supplies last.
Similar to my limited edition updates, I will have a finite amount on hand.
The key difference is it’s only one batch per season so when they’re gone, that’s it until the next season. My goal is to select quality fabric that is here to stay.
There are of course, no guarantees but I hope to bring these back time and time again.
My first Winter Collection is all about tartans!
Hunter brown and Blackwatch oilskin constructed with waxed canvas and new leather colors from the same Full grain, Italian veg-tan family: Whiskey and Black.
Coming soon!
Newsletter subscribers are first in line to these updates.
For the past 2 years, I’ve been playing around with some new materials and equipment. Today I’m taking you behind the scenes throughout this journey as I share some projects I worked on.
I’ve been a long-time admirer of waxed canvas fabric. Waxed canvas is strong, durable, and waterproof and I love how it looks paired with leather.
My first project is the Fremont tote. I purchased a kit from Klum house since this was going to be my first time working with leather and waxed canvas, I thought having materials pre-cut and pre-punched would be a great place to start.
I ended up getting another strap of 1″ leather so that I could try preparing the leather myself.
I wanted the longer strap to be adjustable so I modified the pattern by adding a button stud and spacing 3 holes about 1/2″ apart.
I wanted to try sewing with waxed canvas using my machine – the Janome HD-3000. The fabric is fairly light weight, about 6-7oz so sewing it with this machine was doable. But, as I discovered more options for waxed canvas I realized it would be best to invest in an industrial machine if I wanted to sew with heavier options.
After months of research, I finally found a reasonably priced industrial machine. In March 2021, I brought home a new-to-me Juki DNU-1541. This is a powerful beast that can handle sewing thick layers of fabric very fast! It definitely has a learning curve and it took some time for us to get acquainted.
Add a couple more months to figure out the correct thread I should be using with waxed canvas (and leather) and sourcing it. Once I had everything in, I had the perfect project in mind:
My husband has been asking me for a murse (man purse) and the Sandhill sling by Noodlehead came to mind.
I used a heavier weight black waxed canvas for his bag (about 10oz) and modified the pattern to have an adjustable leather strap instead of webbing. I picked gunmetal for all the hardware.
Sewing with curves was a challenge for sure but like anything, practice makes perfect! I attached the leather strap with rivets and made it adjustable by using a wide mouth strap slider.
We discovered a brilliant hack by accident while hiking in California. He was able to carry his water bottle hands free by attaching the strap to the lid thanks to the swivel hook and d-ring on the bag.
Photo taken at Aliso Peak Trail, Orange County, California
Check out this vlog to see the Sandhill sling in action on our hike.
I had so much fun putting these bags together and knew I wanted to be able to offer new products in the shop with these materials. I started doing more research about leather and came across a well known tannery from Italy that produces premium, full grain, vegetable tanned leather.
This leather is their top grade and has a nice balance between supple and firm. Vegetable tanned leather will age with you and develop a beautiful patina adding uniqueness to the finished piece as you use it, telling a story of who you are as time goes on.
I brought in a hide so I could learn how to cut and prepare the straps myself. Once I got the hang of it, it was time for another project!
This is the Factotum by Merchant and Mills. It’s a small but mighty cross body bag. It has 2 pockets in the front and a zippered closure that can hold my essentials with plenty of room for more.
Once I figured out my leather + canvas combo, it was play time in the studio!
I made these bags to be used for our trip to California back in December 2021.
In addition to my cross-body bag, I wanted to make a reversible tote/backpack for traveling. I also wanted to try sewing with leather using my new-to-me Juki, and this is what I came up with.
The leather pocket was easy to sew. The size is perfect for what I need to carry during an outing: A water bottle, a small project bag, lots of snacks, wipes, hand sanitizer, scarf, toiletry bag, etc.
I’m proud of it even though it didn’t quite turn out how I wanted it to in my head. I wasn’t exactly able to carry it as a tote bag and the straps need padding for support. A work-in-progress design that I can’t wait to re-visit as time permits.
If you made it this far thanks so much for reading! Which bag is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
Hello! I hope you had a fantastic summer. Kids are back to school (yay!) and I’m excited to get back in the studio.
I have a new collection, ELIXIR, coming to the shop very soon. Available in 3 colors (from L-R): peach cream salon, ocean libations, and cactus libations:
This collection is only available in the smaller, 1 skein bag.
As always, there is a zippered pocket in the back for your notions.
Limited quantities, available while supplies last.
I’m excited to share with you some new things going in the shop very soon:
I’m in love with this dark blue linen + floral canvas bag combo!
The blooms, colors, and geometric lines played so well together, I couldn’t resist making them into tote bags! I’ve placed the zippered pocket in the front once again and it is finished with brown accents throughout.
I’ve had many requests for notions pouches for some time now and I’m excited to finally be able to offer them to the shop!
I used up remnants from my previous collection and turned them into a Manhattan zippered case by Janelle MacKay. The double zipper pouch is finished with a dark brown leather zipper pull and antique brass rivets. Cut and installed by me 🙂
I had a lot of fun putting these together!
I will have limited quantities available while supplies last. Newsletter subscribers are always first in line to these updates.
I’m excited to share with you the updated grey project bags. The mellow grellow are now discontinued and replaced with white and natural elements. Perfect for all my neutral lovers!
Both the drawstring and tote bags in the 3 styles:
Knit, Make, and Sheep are available for pre-order now in the shop 🙂
I’ve been busy preparing some new combinations for the shop to celebrate my anniversary. Today, I’m sharing the first batch of my new collection.
I’ve actually been sprinkling hints of what’s to come here and there on Instagram… did you catch it?
First and foremost, the biggest change is the fabric. I’ve used up most of the original bolts since I launched the store 2 years ago, and I’m beyond excited to work with a new supplier. The first of 5 to the new collection has only a subtle change. It is the original bag, and will always remain a classic combination of natural and black. The main difference? The color and feel. It is a lot lighter and smoother.
Think of it as an “upgrade”.
// THE CLASSIC //
Here you can see the original natural linen fabric printed with my logo on the wall. The new and improved combination is on the table.
And here they are, side by side. To the left is the old fabric and to the right is version 2.0
// THE FLAMINGO //
Up next is a play on everyone’s favorite, pink. I wanted a brighter version of the original pink and white combo (as seen on the wall) and I’m pleased to offer this new shade of carnation pink linen. I had so much fun mixing ink for this one and excited to have a custom rose color for contrast.
A closer look at the pink fabrics side by side. The blush pink + white is now discontinued.
// THE SOPHISTICATE //
It’s always been a dream of mine to have a black and white version. This one has a slight twist to it in that the ink I used is a beautiful pearl white shade. At times it can look like silver, depending on the lighting. The fabric is a gorgeous blend of cotton and linen. I wanted to try something new and would really love your input! As much as I adore linen it is oh so very crinkly and requires heavy muscle to iron. This bag was a breeze to press thanks to the cotton.
I’m sure you know by now, but in case you’re new, all of my bags come with an outer zippered pocket to hold your notions!
I’m working on 2 more styles to join this collection as we speak! Newsletter subscribers are always first to know what’s new. Get the inside scoop by signing up here!
// NEW COLLECTION LAUNCHES SEPT 2019 //
This new collection will be available on my website sometime this September. My anniversary is on Sept. 7th but with the pending move to Ottawa, I don’t want to set a date just yet. As long as you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you’re good!
You can also follow me on Instagram to stay in the loop!
I love seeing you with your bags!
Use #pearadiseisland and #pearadiseislandtotes so I can say hey!
