U-handblog

Looking after your Handmade bags or purses

I get asked a lot about how I clean my handmade bags and my usual response is: 'I spot wash them'.  I thought it was high time that I went into a bit more detail about how I care for my bags.

 

Do I wash my bags?

Well, for starters I do not wash a majority of my bags, this is because I own squillions of them (funny that) and this means that as I rotate them they don't get that dirty (I do have my mummy bags - that of course take a beating, but more about them in a minute).  

Another reason I don't wash my bags is I find that washing them can reduce fabric colour vibrancy and worse - the bags' structure is never quite as as crisp as before washing.  I've tested this, I've taken a bag that I've used (until admittedly it's getting pretty crusty) and I've compared it's structure to a similar design bag that is much newer and has been cold washed.  And would you believe, the crusty bag wins out as being more structured than the newer washed one - I assume it's not dirt and yucky stuff acting as the stiffening agent...

NB: If I know I'm not going to wash my bag I don't prewash my fabric (see below)

 

When do I tend to wash my bags?

But, I do pop a few of my bags into the washing machine. I like to wash my grocery totes, beach bags and any other bags that Mabel is likely to come into regular contact with!  What is important is what these designs have in common; they are simple designs with a minimum number of features - they don't have fancy straps, they have little hardware, they are always  made from colourfast fabrics and they tend to be soft structured (vs firmly interfaced). All of these features combine to make these bags far more washing machine friendly.  Conversely, bags that are more intricate i.e they have fancy straps, quite a bit of metalware, highly-dyed fabrics, lots of pockets with flaps, a stiff structure and so on,  are not going to fare well in a washing machine - don't even attempt it!    

To clean bags (that I'm not going to machine wash), I'll first spray my newly handmade bag with Scotch Guard protector.  As you may know this is pretty heady solvent-ridden stuff!  I advice against using it on heavily dyed fabrics like black or deep indigo denim - it can make the colours run. ERK!  If'/when the stain occurs I'll get to work on the stain ASAP.  I'll get a clean damp cloth (we don't want to use a kitchen cloth - who knows what'll be hiding inside it) and I'll dab the cloth with warm water and use one of several detergents: dishwasher liquid (if the stain isn't crazy), one of those laundry stain removers (for a medium crazy stain); or Ace Bleach (for a 'ohhh crap!! Blueberry juice!  Ahhhh!' Kind of stain).  Depending on the nature of the stain, I'll either dab at it or I'll leave the detergent to do it's thing (whilst I pace outside the utility room like a wide-eye expectant father  - haha, not really!)  Try not to overdo the water or detergent or you might have a nice water mark to deal with as well.  

NB: If I am going machine machine wash my bags I'll alway pre-wash my fabrics.

Get protected (and get high!)

One of those laundry stain removers.

This stuff is (Ace Bleach) is brilliant. If you have kids/partner/clothes, you need this!

Al needs these as he has not yet grasped the difference between whites and...blah blah blah!  But they are still great for when you have different colour fabrics (on the same bag).  

 

 

To pre-wash or not

You might be thinking to yourselves: issues such as colour fade and loss of a crisp handle can be dealt with by pre-washing - why not pre-wash and let the colour fade a tad, let the fabric shrink a bit and wash out that 'manufacturer starch' - and that way you'll begin at the beginning and know what you're dealing with. And I do think these are important considerations for dress making fabrics, but as a bag maker I'm not worried about pre-washing.

Considering I'm a self confessed sewing and pattern making PRECISION FREAK- AHHHHH!!!, I'm very lax about pre-washing.  (Unless I intend to wash my bags - see above) I never to pre-wash my bag fabric or interfacing because I actually love the vibrant colour of unwashed new fabrics and I like crisp handle that comes from fabric manufacture starch - remember, it also present on my fave  interfacing too (woven) - so the effect is multiplied when you fuse fabric and interfacing together (ohh! I'm getting a bit excited!).  So as I'm don't machine wash my bags I'm not concerned about pre-washing my bag fabrics. In my 10+ years of being a bag maker I've never had a slapped wrist or thunderbolt from heaven for omitting this (some might say essential) step.

If do pre-wash my fabrics (grrrr! more ironing!), I might first prevent my raw edges from fraying by zigzag stitching them (if fabric is scarce).  Then for extra protection I'll put it into a one of those laundry mesh bags (I actually made myself a large-size one for this very purpose).  I'll use a touch of gentle non-bio detergent (no softener) and wash on a 30-40 degree, mid-length wash (my machine has a cycle that lasts 45 mins) and a fast-ish, but not crazy fast spin).  Then I'll take the fabric out and smooth it out as best as I can (yeah whatever, it's still going to be a joy to iron!). Then I line-dry it and will it to dry quickly (whilst I pace inside the kitchen like a wide-eye expectant father  - haha, not really!) 

How do you like to care for your bags?  Do you pre wash?

And the winner of the bag kit is...

Thanks to everyone who took part in the naming competition for this purse.

 

The pattern for it will be launched in a day or two.

 

Thanks to Sue Staniland we have christened this bag: 'Fill me up Buttercup'.

 

Such great names to choose from (as usual), but this namesake to a lovely happy song, got our vote!   Sue will you please get in touch with us to claim your prize. info[at]u-handbag.com

 "I'm thinking of "Fill me up Buttercup" don't know why it just popped into my head!!!"

 

Thanks for taking part everyone!  

Lisa Lam Craftsy Class launch. Get $20 off!!

Woop!  It's all systems go!  My class has just launched!  Hey hey!!

Thanks for being interested in my Craftsy Class.  If you want to learn more please sign up to the U-Handbag Newsletter (it's free) and in our newsletter you will receive more details and the all important discount link!!  

If you are not subscribed to our newsletter please fill in your info in the boxes at the top right corner of this blog (where funnily enough) it says 'newsletter').   We'll be sending out the discount newsletter at 7.30 (GMT) tonight and we'll send it a few more times this week.  For now our Newsletter is the only place in which you will be able to access the class discount.

I really hope you enjoy!  Looking forward to you comments and questions! X

 

Name the bag and win the kit to make it!

Oh we do like to be beside the: seaside/sunny sidewalk/swimming pool.  Or anywhere outside, feeling mighty happy in the glorious sunshine!  And I have designed a pretty bag to accompany you on those sunny walks and trips.  I wanted to design an easy going, easy to use, (but no less smart-looking) bag that is both roomy and practical for the beach or the park etc., but still stylish enough for a spot of shopping or even a cheeky city break!  According our office Squealometer© mission has been accomplished and ratings were very high on this one! 

We think this bag is ever so pretty - but she is absolutely no less useful for it.   Thanks to the yummy bag base gathers she looks neat and tidy when you've less to carry.  And when you're having a 'kitchen sink' kind of day - she will happily expand to accommodate.

The bag is definitely one of those: 'so easy to use, you'll reach for it again and again' kind of bags.  It is wide at the top so it's easy to shove things in, and quickly fish them out. The closure is a (simple to install) zipper so you can cram your bag full and not worry about loosing anything as you run for the  bus.  Inside there is 1 decent sized pocket for your smaller valuables, of course you can add another pocket if you fancy.   

You might be thinking, a bag this useful and pretty comes at a 'skill-rating' price, but you need not worry. This bag is not tricky and it can be made in 1- 2 evenings of (reasonably) uninterrupted sewing time.  Honest! 

Things we love:

• She's secure - the bag has a (genuinely) easy to insert zipper closure.
• She looks so professional - we LOVE how the Faux leather handles nicely finish-off this design.
• She looks so pretty - loving the wide curvy top edge and the sweet gathers.
• She's versatile - she looks just as great on the beach as she does on a smart shopping street. 
• She's roomy or she's neat - the gathers expand to hold more or neatly bunch up when holding less (she looks graceful either way!)  

Finished size: 18in (W) x 11in (H) (46cm x 28cm)

 

Click on the pics to enlarge.

Lunch break?  Why not pop down to the beach to catch some rays, read a book and eat your sarnies.  Laaahvely!   

 We love the new Faux leather handles, they look totes professional and easily look like the real thing.  They add a nice contrasting touch of 'grown-upness (or bought-in-a-boutique feel) to the pretty fabric gathered design.  We do like folks to be astounded when we say, "yep this is one of my creations'!"

As you can see in the pic, the bag is laden light - so she looks neat and compact, but if you chuck loads of stuff inside the gathers will expand to give the bag a pretty cloud /pillow look.

S. P. always rocks in our photos!  :)

 
Lunch sorted. Now for a nice beach stroll back to the office. 

 

So I hope you like my new tote bag as much as we do. Thing is we can't start offering the pattern and kit until it has a name. Can you help?

 

Contest Details (please read carefully)

To one lucky winner we'll send a BLANK bag making kit (with pattern) for this bag. It will contain all you need except fabrics and threads.

To enter all you have to do is comment on THIS PARTICULAR POST by:

• Picking a name for this bag design. As a couple of pointers I tend NOT to name my items after girls names (such as 'Alice Purse' because IMHO that has little meaning...), instead I tend to lean towards names which in some way describe the item.
• Please DO NOT focus on the fabric of this bag as this will be a pattern/kit only. Ta!
• Enter as many times as you like.

 

Contest Official-ness:

1. We'll select the winning name end of next Weds 8th (GMT) and announce the winner the following day.
   
2. I'll need to ask the winner to make a donation for the postage (the kit will be sent as soon as the pattern is published). 
   
3. Sorry I can't notify winners, so please keep an eye for the winner announcement.  This is made easier for you if you subscribe to this blog so you don't have to keep checking back, although it's always great to have you pop-in for a read :0)
4. Prizes which are not claimed within 3 weeks of the winner announcement will be carried forward to the next draw.
5. Sorry I can't reply to contest/draw comments, but I do love reading every single one.  :)