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I have a secret confession. There is something in my garage, which haunts me every time I go out there. When Henry was a baby I had the BRILLIANT idea to start a line of denim. These wouldn't be just any jeans. No! The would be eco-friendly! Locally made! Flattering, but not so low your underwear stuck out! It would be great! I could work and have Henry with me so he didn't have to go to daycare! Hey--if this chick could do it, so could I! So I jumped in. Business licenses. RN number. Fabric. Thread. Zippers. Buttons. Sewing contractor in San Francisco. Kathleen Fasanella's wonderful book from front to back about a bajillion times.

Can we see where this is going?

Lots of money later (the credit cards are STILL being paid off from this one!) it was finally time to pick up the finished product from my man in the city. And guess what? They were HORRIBLE. Awful. As in I wouldn't even donate them to charity because there is no way I would ever expect anyone to wear them awful.

Now, five years later, I have finally tied up the loose ends from this adventure (as in the people in the local tax office trying to collect $ on profit, which was never made) and am actually really grateful for the experience because I learned a lot. The experience is behind me, but I still have a few reminders. Like the eighty 4" jeans zippers and 40 plus yards of hemp/cotton denim in the garage.

That denim has stared at me for five years, daring me to find a new use for it! I just left it alone because it intimidated me. Until the chickens needed something to line the walls of their brooder. Once I cut off those few yards for the chickies, I finally had enough courage to use some for myself. So, a few night ago I made this bag...
lace & denim bag
lace & denim bag interior
The infamous denim, a thrifted (machine-made) lace table runner, some of my favorite (also thrifted) plaid for the lining, and leather straps (remnants from the re-do of my chair).
I used it last night for the first time, and I think I love it.

12 comments:

3rd Wave Inc said...

Buying quality organic products is the initial move to a healthy, natural, green lifestyle that can bring a good feeling not only to ourselves but as to our environment as well.

ryan said...
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Katherine said...
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Michelle said...

i think i love it to (i really do)! are you going to make more?

Jamie said...

I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your story! I could just imagine your face when you went to pick them up! I looove the bag! What a brilliant idea to add the table runner! I think it looks awesome!!!! You continue to amaze me!!!

Katherine said...

i can laugh at it now, too jamie! it wasn't until i got home that i realized how terrible they were. yikes. and they got even worse when you washed them, if that's possible!

michelle--there will definitely be more. i have a whole s**tload of that fabric!

katie said...

if this is for sale i want it... oh, and I also want the vintage lunch box....
xox
kate

Unknown said...

At least you gave it a shot, better that that be somebody that never tries anything! They say 9/10 ideas don't work - lets hope next time it's the "one" that does.

Jordan Clarke said...

Aww it's gorgeous - well done! Maybe there'll be a snowball effect and you'll end up designing/making more!

Ashley Morris said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! You must make more and sell them - I'd snatch one up in a heartbeat! :)

Katherine said...

thanks, everyone! i will definitely be making more of these. they may not be exactly alike, but i have a LOT of doilies and lace and tons of hemp/cotton denim.
xo

PS~Erin said...

Thanks for sharing your story.... Your denim shouldn't be taunting you anymore. That bag is so flippin' cute! I love it! (Hopped over here from Knack... Great blog and store!)