MORE Recycled Sweater Bags

Just completed two more sweater bags for our boutique on November 10.

The first was one of those ideas you regret about halfway through. I had an image of a bag that resembled a crazy quilt, with random patches of felted sweater fabric and strips of antique lace in between. Let's just say I used up TWO LARGE spools of off-white thread making this one happen! The strap is a really cool black satin belt with a rhinestone buckle, but since my photo background is black, of course you can't see it. And the colors are really washed out in the photos. I have GOT to take a photography class!











The other bag was really fun and quick. I had found a funky hand-knit sweater at the thrift store, and it almost made itself into a bag. The cuff around the top of the bag is actually the waistband of of the sweater. The wonderful abstract designs were part of the original sweater design. The pocket I made on the back is from the sleeve cuff. The strap is a red leather embroidered belt, and the leather strips were already hanging off the ends, so I just added some big funky beads. All together, I'd say this one took about 3-4 hours. But why does the red look so orange in the photos???











I have enough sweaters to keep making these daily for the rest of the year, I think!

Recycled Sweater Bags for the Boutique

I've been a sewing fool for the past week and managed to complete FOUR recycled sweater bags to sell at our holiday boutique.

The first two are for young girls and are nearly identical:














The next is a tote that would work well for a knitting or crochet bag. I used a wonderful embroidered skirt from the thrift store for the lining.







The last is a book bag for a guy, or a non-girly girl. These photos are kind of dark, but you get the idea.









Mark's colleague who's been sending me sweaters from the Northwest suggested reusing the tags from the sweaters, so Mark chose the Bullock's tag for this bag. I wanted to use one that a guy would think was cool.

I'm almost done with a fifth bag, too! Now I just need to decide how to price these babies. I want them to sell, but I want to feel like I'm getting what they're worth as handmade items. Feedback would be appreciated!

Announcing Ojai Holiday Gift Boutique

I've had the idea to make gift items and sell them at a holiday boutique for years, but it took my friend Kristen to give it a kick in the pants and make it happen.

A small group of us will host a boutique on November 10th (rain date is the 17th). We've pulled together an amazing array of handmade items from a number of local artisans, including pottery, jewelery, lavender sachets and eye pillows, soaps, recycled wool sweater purses and stuffed animals, gourd art, wooden boxes, paper arts, and more.

If you'd like more information about the boutique, please contact me at lori@lzcommunications.com.