Announcement
Men's messenger bags, Women's messenger bags, Purses, Kids accessories, Backpacks, Upcycled/ recycled suit coat bags.
WHOLESALE PRICING AVAILABLE TO RETAIL BUYERS, PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PRICING.
Repurposing materials runs in my family, and creating fashionable, functional and meaningful bags and purses has provided me with an exceptional outlet for my creativity and a great small business.
My grandmother lived through the Great Depression. She believed that you wasted nothing. She told me stories about collecting tin foil and rolling them into big balls to be recycled much like we do with tin cans today. My grandma sewed out of need when she had young children. She would make clothing for her kids and trim them with the recycled lace she removed from her worn out dresses. I remember they would be rolled in balls that she saved in her sewing basket. Buttons were removed from all clothing before it was recycled into rags and stored in big Mason jars. I still have one of her jars of recycled buttons.
My mother sewed more for fun than necessity, and mostly to use her creativity and to make unique items. I loved the things she created for me that no one else had, like bell-bottoms made out of leftover paisley upholstery fabric. No one knew that I matched the chair in the living room! They thought I was cool and so in style, and I was happy to let them think it.
When I grew up and had daughters, I would sew all their holiday dresses. I would spend hours walking around the fabric stores looking for the perfect fabric and pattern. The pattern was always changed to make my daughters’ dresses unique. When they got older, my daughters would watch red carpet events before award shows and pick out a movie star’s dress that we would copy for a one-of-a-kind high school prom dress. They were so proud to know that no one else at the dance would have a dress like theirs.
This creative life is what inspired me to start my Etsy shop, Sew Much Style, creating bags and purses out of recycled materials. I had spent my life making unique items and I knew I couldn't just take a pattern and fabric and make the same thing over and over again.
I love all the colors and different textures to be found in wools. The challenge of hunting for suit coats, skirts and other clothing at thrift stores for my fabric collection, bringing it home to deconstruct it and recreate it into whatever I see as its’ new life is a process that can keep me up at night. Sometimes I can use the fabrics right away because they fit into my current designs, some need to be put aside until their design becomes evident. All will eventually find a new purpose in my shop.
When I find the mix of fabrics with which I want to work, I determine the style and size I want my finished purse to be. I cut out an interfacing sized for the finished purse, and the fabrics are arranged in the design I desire and then sewn in place. I want my bags to have a sophisticated look that preserves the main part of the suit coat--the pocket, collar and sleeve. I want people to have to take a second look to realize the bag is made from recycled materials. I add accessories like buttons, pockets, and adjustable straps to make the bag functional and fashionable.
Some of my proudest creations have been for a family member who sends me clothing from a deceased loved one that I make into a memory bag. Recently, a daughter sent me clothing from her father that had passed away and I made a purse that she gave to her mother on the one-year anniversary of his passing. I received a phone call from her mother on the day she opened it. She was crying but said they were happy tears--she recognized the wool and label from inside her late husband’s coat. She said now she could carry a part of her husband with her wherever she went. How can you not love doing something like that?
I feel very lucky to have developed my hobby, about which I am very passionate, into a business that can provide a livelihood. Anecdotes like the one above just prove that I am on the right path. Creating something from discarded items can provide functionality, meaning and joy.
Ready to Ship messenger bags,
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewMuchStyle?section_id=15823915&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1
Ready to Ship Purses,
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewMuchStyle?section_id=16454588&ref=shopsection_leftnav_8
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Reviews
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Barbara on Mar 16, 2024
5 out of 5 starsGreat product. In fact, this is my second. I used a similar one every day for YEARS and it got looking old, which it was, and so ordered a replica. LOVE IT! Front pockets for phone and keys, zipped pocket in side, the flap buttons securely. Best of all, I got to pick the colors.
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Kathleen on Mar 9, 2024
5 out of 5 starsGot my bag today. Absolutely love it!!!!! So we'll done. So happy. Thank you
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Rugged Blossom on Dec 27, 2023
5 out of 5 starsHigh quality item made from vintage wool fabrics. So unique, luxurious and well made. Definitely one of a kind! I also use this as a large handbag and get lots of compliments. I adore the little side pockets made from suit jackets! I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
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supermomclub on Dec 21, 2023
5 out of 5 starsI can’t say enough about this seller/purchase! Terry was amazing to work with- prompt, clear communication, willingness to accommodate our special requests, and surpassed our expectations from “inquiry” to “item received”. The laptop bag is the PERFECT gift for our daughter, a college student. It’s the exact balance of professional and classy, but trendy and original at the same time. Excellent quality!! Beautiful bag!! We can’t wait to gift this and would not hesitate at all to purchase again from this seller! Thank you, Terry for a first class experience!
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Mary Ellen on Dec 21, 2023
5 out of 5 starsThe bag arrived quickly, with plenty of time before Christmas, and is absolutely beautiful! The quality is amazing and I can't wait to give this bag as a gift. Working with Terry was great, she reached out immediately to discuss fabric choices and was so helpful and responsive.
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michelle on Dec 16, 2023
5 out of 5 starsI am obsessed!! I love it! She worked with me to get the exact look I wanted. Great quality too!!
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About SewMuchStyle
My Repurposed life
Shop members
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Terry Lischka
Owner
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Tom Lischka
Shipper
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