Bags have always been a bit of an obsession for me, long before I started making them. I had more than I could ever use, especially because I was too lazy to switch them out regularly. But I was drawn to them, and I certainly couldn’t pass one up if it grabbed my attention. It made sense that when I stumbled across a pattern for a unique sling style sling backpack on Pinterest it would pique my interest. Armed with my dinky little sewing machine, I set up on my kitchen island and went to work.

I’ve had a mostly hate relationship with sewing since I was a kid. My grandmother was a seamstress, and I spent more than one summer helping her in her sewing room and occasionally sewing up my own projects. It was fun as an eight-year-old, but when I ventured into sewing projects as I got older, I didn’t enjoy sitting down at the machine. That didn’t mean I stopped sewing. Far from it. I sewed collar-cozies to sell at dog shows to raise money for a trip. I sewed all the boys’ clothing for my wedding. I’ve sewn outfits for cosplay. I’d even sewn a couple little pouches, but I’d never sewn a real, complex bag before. I approached the majority of sewing projects with a particular loathing and dread.

That first bag wasn’t perfect, but it sparked something in me, replacing the former apprehensions with excitement, passion, and possibilities. I immediately went looking for more patterns, pouring over Pinterest and watching YouTube videos.

Then Facebook groups launched me into a world of sewing and creativity that I never could have imagined. There are so many people who spend their time designing bag patterns to share with the world. Small business that specialized in selling fabric and hardware just to bagmakers. The different textiles! Cork, vinyl, waterproof canvas… YouTubers with channels devoted to bagmaking. Entire groups on Facebook exist to help others learn and share their triumphs and mistakes. To say I went down the rabbit hole is an understatement.

I started sewing bags during February. By September, I was selling at my first craft show. And now, three years later, surrounded by the most amazing creative community I have ever been a part of, I can say that I have found something that truly fuels my soul. And the best part is being able to share my craft with others, whether with fellow sewists or the customers I meet at shows.  

My studio is my happy place, and this is only the beginning.