Sew Sew

the first sample of my new recycled reusable shopping bag.

Before making jewelry I lived on my sewing machine. I started sewing in middle school and proceeded to take what was called Clothing class all through high school. I even thought about going to design school at one point. Instead I settled on making hippy dresses and selling them at Grateful Dead and Phish shows back in the early 90's. A few years ago before I got serious about jewelry I was really into making bags. I only made a few for myself at the time but the bug has hit me once again. After all the holiday shows I was in a funk with jewelry. I was sick for two months, my studio is a pit, and I have just felt unmotivated. My recent exploration into crotchet has reopened other crafting doors I thought were stuck shut.

See I grew up around a sewing machine. Not my mothers however, although she did sew too. I am referring to my father's industrial sized sewing machine he had in his shop. My father had his own business for 30+ years in the back of our house in a barn. It was called Souhegan Canvas Company and he made boat covers, convertible car tops, automobile seat covers etc. He was an auto interior decorator if you will. Cars were his main thing but he also made a tepee for someone once, our family tent that we used for two weeks of camping every year, bags, and other miscellaneous items over the years. He made me two of the best and well made reusable shopping bags I have ever seen about 10 years ago. I unfortunately lost them when I moved one time and I regret it to this day. Last year we sold our family home and with it his business closed.

It wasn't until recently when I realized how much his career has influenced my life. He was an entrepreneur. He built his business and worked by himself for himself for most of his life. I remember going into the shop as a young girl and working with left over canvas scraps to make things. I regret not having him make me more reusable shopping bags while he still had the business. I could have helped him market and sell them. I hope that I can at least use his knowledge to help me resurrect my love of sewing and my desire to start creating bags and accessories from recycled materials.

So I have decided to try my hand at making a reusable shopping bag made from recycled materials. I want to focus on a smaller version. I was shopping at Kmart the other day when I was checking out and realized I was buying a lot of small things and all they offer for bags are plastic. I have about 6 reusable shopping bags that I always bring into the grocery store with me but I have someone overlooked the need to use them while doing other kids of shopping. Whether it is at Kmart, the local craft store or anywhere else you are picking up a few things, the need to a bag will be there. So I am going to make a smaller, cuter version that you can easily stuff into your bag or purse or stick your wallet into while you just run in for a few things. Yesterday I made my first sample. I am going to use it to see how I like the size and handles and then go back to the drawing board.

Taking on this new project has stoked my lacking creativity. The holiday season drained me but I am feeling crafting bug once again.