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Showing posts from October, 2008

Faux Suede

                   The Pleated Everyday Bag in Faux Suede  I just ordered some free samples of heavyweight faux suede from an online store and can't wait to receive them! I'll let you know how they turn out in a future post. I was inspired by a new handbag I created yesterday made from some very thick faux suede from my stash. I had originally bought it for my applique designs but found that it was almost too thick to work with. I decided to pull it out and test how it would pleat/drape using my pleated shoulder bag design. Well it works wonderfully!! Since it's as thick as real suede it was a bit of a challenge sewing. It looks so much like real suede that I found myself smelling it several times just to be sure! 

New Pleated Bags in the Shop

The Pleated Everyday Bag T here are lots of new pleated shoulder bags available at Pesky Cat Designs  shop today. Check them out! They are a perfect everyday bag. The one posted above is made from a cocoa cotton canvas and cinnamon microsuede. I love the color and texture combination. I plan to create more in interesting fabric combos. 

Adjustable Straps

A while back I discovered a great adjustable strap tutorial  on a blog called " You sew, girl! ". It was clearly written and has great photos so I was able to make an adjustable strap in no time.  The blog is about the goings-on of the Nicole Mallalieu Design Studio based in Brunswick, in Melbourne, Australia. Nicole Mallalieu, an experienced fashion designer and bag maker, owns and operates the studio. You can find lots of useful tips and tutorials about bag making on her blog. She also sells great bag making supplies, her own patterns and gives workshops. Check out the blog for inspiration and much more. Thanks Nicole for such a wonderful blog!                  Pleated messenger with an adjustable strap by Pesky Cat Designs

New Pleated Shoulder Bags Coming Soon

I 'm pretty excited about a batch of new pleated shoulder bags that will be available in my shop over the next few days. Pictured above is me sitting at Waterside Plaza modeling one in plum and lilac cotton twill. I'm wearing a silk scarf that I purchased on my recent trip to Thailand that looks amazing with the bag. Makes me want to keep it for myself!  I'm hoping that sometime this weekend I'll be able to photograph and list my new creations in my shop . I'll have one available in a cocoa brown canvas with cinnamon ultra suede, a linen cotton blend in deep wine, a khaki twill with cream ultrasuede and the one posted above. They all are adorned by vintage buttons from my stash. Most of these buttons have been purchased on Etsy . That reminds me, I have to restock my button collection soon!  

Plum, Lilac and Wine

Y esterday I completed some new pleated shoulder bags. I really love this new design. Posted above is me modeling one of the new pleated bags. I'm standing near the east river in New York City with a view of the United Nations building in the background.  The bag above is made from cotton twill in plum and lilac. I find that cotton canvas and twill works best with this design.  I used the same fabric on the outside  for the inside lining.  Since the fabric is soft but thick I do not need to interface it. I found that using interface made the pleats looks stiff and unnatural. This designs looks best when the pleats are soft and flowing. I did interface the top band which helps the bag hold its shape.  The handbag posted below on the right is made from a beautiful linen and cotton blend fabric in a deep wine color. Since this fabric is a bit thinner than the cotton twill  I decided to interface the inside lining to give the bag more shape yet keep the pleats on the outside soft and f

Biomorphic Art on Etsy

Today I decided to post work by artists on Etsy that have a organic feel. I would love to own all of these creations!   Fabbiz is a design studio where two friends, Foo a graphic designer, and Bim a textile designer, work together. They are Thai and live in Bangkok. The work below,  Stack,  is  a piece of embroidery art and was inspired by stacked rocks in the woods. Absolutely beautiful.                    Stack by Fabbiz Focuslineart   is work by Tracy Melton, a full time artist based in Asheville, NC. The piece below is made from slices of elm and painted with acrylic. I love how the growth rings are accentuated with paint. The work maintains an organic feel while surprising you with bursts of color.                          Paintings  by Focuslineart Paperfaerie is work by Yvette Hawkins, an artist and writer living in the North East of England. Her piece below, Cone Book Sculpture ,  is made from a recycled paperback novel! The book sculpture is in

Jet Lag

I'm still recovering from my 10 day vacation to Thailand. See post below titled " I'm Back ".  I think the jet lag is just starting to subside now. More than 20 hours of flying and an 11 hour time difference will take a toll on you. Today I spent the day cutting out fabric  for some new bags I plan to create this week.  I also decided to treat myself to a beautiful stole by Ellita.  I had planned on buying it a while back but then it got sold. Today I noticed that it was back in the shop so I had to grab it. Pretty soon I'll be wrapped in my peacock stole. Can't wait!                        Peacock Stole by Ellita

I'm Back

                 Elisa at Wat Phra Kaew           Tom at the Suk 11 Guest House                         Wat Phra Kaew I 'm back from my 10 day trip to Thailand!  My partner and I spent our time in Bangkok exploring this bustling city. We used public transportation and/or walked to all our destinations from our hotel. Bangkok is not an easy walking city so I would advise using alot of caution especially when crossing streets. We rode the sky train, took boats along the Chao Phraya River and canals, walked along the bustling major streets and  small back streets using our map or just our common sense to guide us. I'm sure we often walked where few tourists ventured.  My partner encouraged me to take these adventurous walks and I'm glad he did. I feel I got a real sense of life in Bangkok. Time did not permit us to travel more throughout Thailand as we had planned. I guess we'll just have to take another t

Featured

M y handbags were recently featured by Scoutie Girl , a blog that scouts out fabulous finds from indie designers and artists. Check it out for daily posts of cool finds and great links. Thanks again for the feature Scoutie Girl!