Indigo Bags, Second Chances

In January, my husband was tossing out several pairs of well-worn jeans. To keep usable fabric out of the landfill, I considered sewing a travel bag. My mother was a seamstress and passed her skills on to me: my Barbie had a new outfit every week, and as a cash-strapped teen, I sewed my own clothes. 

Now, decades later, I dusted off my trusty Kenmore and sewed that denim travel bag—then a tote, a crossbody bag, and a pencil case or ten. Before long, I was hooked. As the denim scraps grew smaller, so did the projects: storage pouches, potholders, card wallets, and valet trays—a landing zone for reading glasses and pocket clutter.

After a deep dive into design experiments and sewing techniques, my inventory started piling up: more than 35 bags and totes, plus 25 pouches. I am continuing to learn about design, materials, and hardware—but I’m also churning out product. My beloved Kenmore has been in the repair shop twice.

Eight months in, I still have design ideas—but the indigo bags need homes. Each one is a unique design.

Now the question is what comes next.

I’m applying to curated markets that suit this niche up-cycled product; I hope to pop up at a local craft market or two this fall. And soon, I need to start winding down this 2026 project—though I suspect the Kenmore and I are not quite finished yet.

Art and Craft Markets

Saturday, October 24, 2026
Melrose Community Church
Fundraiser for 100th Anniversary
Free admission and parking
375 Melrose Avenue
Toronto