Eco-friendly Bags

…or, what am I missing?

Reading about recycled leather handbags this week over at Cheap Jap got me thinking. Yeah, there I go again! What in the world is so eco-friendly about a bag made of man-made materials?

True, no animals are harmed but I doubt that wearing a plastic purse is going to save many cows, pigs and lambs since leather is a by-product of the meat industry. I don’t think the world is going to give up meat anytime soon so I consider it more socially responsible to use as much of the animal as possible. I know this probably sounds odd coming from an animal-crazy former vegetarian but this is simply my way of thinking. Also, leather lasts longer and, being a natural product, is biodegradeable. Man-made leathers wear out more quickly and do not degrade (don’t even get me started on how cheap they look). Besides, just as Cheap Jap says, if you think I’m paying $995 for a nylon purse, you are all kinds of crazy.

Recycling? Now, that is a trend that I like. I often save old bags for the leather or the hardware if it is still in good shape and I made a bag a couple of years ago from leather recycled from my bar stool cushions - it had that aged ’70s look that I am so fond of. But, I laugh when this is called a “trend” since we sewers (and quilters) have been doing it since the beginning of time!

My idea of an eco-friendly bag? Those canvas things you bring to the grocery store.

My thoughts exactly!

In addition to shoe shopping, I’ve been doing a lot of bag shopping lately. Oh boy, have I learned to check a bag’s dimensions when shopping online! When did handbags become the size of overnighters? Recently, I ordered the most stunning bag from Nordstrom’s and was shocked when it arrived. It was over 18″ wide and, although gorgeous, looked completely ridiculous on me. Don’t get me wrong, I love a larger bag. This is Florida, it rains a lot and I like to keep an umbrella in my bag. A compact umbrella, not a golf umbrella.

I think a good rule of thumb is to carry a bag not much wider than your hips. For instance, my front hip measurement is 14″ so bags that are about that size offer the best proportion for me, especially since I am only 5′3″ tall. I bought the new In Style a couple of days ago and laughed out loud when I saw this:

Good. It’s not just me.

Déjà vu all over again

As many of you know, in addition to being a fabriholic, patternaholic and shoeaholic I am also a purseaholic! What can I say? I am just a little bit compulsive! As I was reading one of my favorite purse blogs this morning, I came across this:

It’s a lovely bag from Moe Bags. Look familiar? Let me refresh your memory:
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1940s Vogue Pattern

Sewing Workshop Obi Bag Pattern

I had originally thought to make this bag in velvet but I think the leather is fabulous and better suited for an everyday bag.

No more taping!

Run, don’t walk, to the Hot Patterns Ebay Store and get your copies of the Limited Edition LaRue and Nairobi bags! I printed and taped together the Nairobi pattern last year but never got to the LaRue because I am a knucklehead when it comes to having the correct printer settings - the size just seemed off to me so that’s as far as I got. So, I just bought both so that I could add the *real* patterns to my collection. There are only a few copies left of these limited editions so you’d better hurry if you want one!

You should also check out some of the *gorgeous* fabrics that Trudy picked up on her trip to the Orient. Come on, ladies, join me - add to the stash!

Heavy Metal

One sure-fire way to make me squeal with delight is to take me to a store full of designer-worthy handbag hardware! Diva Phyllis, Diva Ann and I scoured the bins at Pacific Trimmings at 218 West 38th Street in Manhattan, not once but two days in a row! I LOVE their inventory and the owners and staff are nothing short of delightful! They also carry Riri zippers and will shorten or otherwise modify zippers while you wait. Phyllis had a separating zipper modified to a closed-bottom for a handbag.

Honestly, I thought I’d faint at the site of these gorgeous push locks - they are as nice as any you’d find on a pricey Marc Jacobs bag. If you go to NYC, this place is a must-see. Allow yourself plenty of time to browse. Their telephone number is (212) 279-9310.

The little silver rings in plastic bags are screw in grommets - they are a nice size for both handbags and garments.

Aren’t these the prettiest strap connectors and clips? You won’t find anything like this at the chain stores!

I also found this really interesting ruched organza insert. I’d like to try to use it around the neckline of a knit top.

Will the real Bobby Breslau please stand up?

Thanks to Pamela, whose comments prompted me to search through my Halston books hoping to find a picture of one of Bobby Breslau’s purses. Pamela said…

“I bought the Bobby Breslau Vogue pattern in the 70s when it came out. Vogue had 2 Breslau patterns. Bobby Breslau made handbags for Halston. These were the original bags shown on the runway with Halston fashions. I’m sure I can find a picture or two of the bags in my Halston books. Breslau did the handbags, Elsa Peretti did the jewelry for Halston. To continue Kathleen’s point, this bag was not an original design when Michael Kors made it in 2002. I have not yet made the bag I did just buy some gorgeous red mock croc in leather from an ebay seller, for which I have high hopes. I will be watching your progress!”

I was unable to find any photos of the bags as I quickly thumbed through Halston by Steven Bluttal. As I was nearing the beginning (I tend to thumb through books back to front - weird, I know) of Halston: An American Original by Gross and Rottman, I was feeling a bit discouraged because I couldn’t find any bags or even references to Bobby Breslau. Then, I was rewarded with this great photo on the contents page (maybe I should start looking at books front to back for a change):

While I am a great fan of Halston (who truly was an American original!) I somehow did not remember the bags. Perhaps it is because Bobby Breslau did not become as big a Star as Elsa Peretti - a shame, really. I must say I’m a bit disappointed in Michael Kors, though. How can he sit there and criticize Project Runway contestants for allowing themselves to be inspired by other designers when he has blatantly copied them himself? Look at this photo of Michael Kors’ bag from Handbags: The Power of the Purse by Anna Johnson. Even the photo styling is reminiscent of Halston! Tsk, tsk.

Bobby Breslau Purses

Some of you may recall that I have been working on making a copy of this bag (be sure to hit the back button to come back here). I fell madly in love with it after Kathleen wrote about it on Fashion Incubator. Kathleen was generous enough to actually loan me the bag and allow me to take it apart. I started work on my version but haven’t had the time to finish it because I’ve been so busy with other things. So far I have constructed the main pieces but still need to construct the lining before joining the sections. I know I took photos but darned if I can find them right now.

This is the front pocket with a red Ultrasuede lining. The original bag was completely unlined and I wanted to improve upon this.

I intend to finish the raw edges of the leather with a product called Edge Kote.

Well, recently, while trolling Ebay for vintage patterns (I have way too much time to do that while my embroidery machines are running, sigh) I came across this pattern:

While I was unable to see the line drawings or the shapes of the pattern pieces, it looked suspiciously like the DE bag I borrowed from Kathleen. Being overly curious, I bought the pattern and was thrilled when it arrived yesterday. Interestingly, both the pattern pieces and the processes for these two bags are nearly identical right down to the inside pocket into which it is nearly impossible to put one’s hand (and I have small hands!). The only difference there is that the pattern’s pocket is free-hanging while the DE pocket was topstitched into place.

Based on the price, I’m guessing the pattern dates from the late 1970s. It was designed by Bobby Breslau who, according to Vogue, “designs the softest leather in the world. His BigPouch and family of Little Pouches sensualized the bag world, becoming classics in their own time!” So, which came first - Bobby Breslau or Beth Mitchell?

I’m so glad I sew!

I seem to say that at least once a day - don’t you? How cute is this little evening bag? It’s like an adorable little wrist corsage that can also hold your lipstick and keys. Best of all, hands-free! If you have a wad of cash you are itching to get rid of, you can buy this little Bea Valdez creation for a mere $2200 at Barneys. But, I know you won’t. Instead, you’ll gather up about $25 worth of supplies (or finally use up some of those scraps you’ve been saving) and make your own. Then you’ll spend the $2175 you saved on fabric and patterns. Smart girl!