Spring

A pop of color for Spring!

Studio

Hope everyone is enjoying the new year! I’ve been working on a couple new designs, which I can’t wait to share soon. At the end of last year, I bought a new Juki industrial sewing machine. It’s a workhorse for sure! There was a bit of a learning curve (and frustration), but I think I’ve finally gotten comfortable with it. I’m excited about all the new tools I have been able to purchase with the support of new orders. So thank you all! You are helping me to see my vision for buttons + tweed come to light. I feel myself growing as a designer and pushing myself to learn new things. It’s a great feeling! Here are a few shots of my studio and new tools at work. 

Product Photography

I realize my last post was in the fall and it is definitely winter here in Montana now! I wanted to share a couple of photos from a recent photo shoot with my dear friend, Michelle Lemley. Over my birthday in November, I was lucky enough to have this lovely lady come visit me. In between celebrating, we took a few new photos of my bags. This time I got to be the designer and model. Geez….modeling is much harder than it looks. Think I’ll stick with designing!

Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season! Thank you so much to all my new customers.

You can see more of Michelle’s work at http://www.michellelemley.com

 

Waxed Canvas Purses

I’m finally getting around to posting some photos of this new ombre wool fabric. I’m completely in love with it. I think it compliments both the grey and brown waxed canvas very well and I just adore the pop of color it adds!

You can checkout more colors in my etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsandtweed

 

Shoulder Tote Bag

Another new design from buttons + tweed! I’ve been focusing on making bigger bags and this is a great roomy sized tote bag. The exterior is made with a lovely printed organic cotton canvas, complimented with a waxed canvas bottom. The handles are also made with the same sturdy waxed canvas. The interior is a heavy weight cotton twill. Includes a good sized pocket to hold keys, cellphone, lipstick, etc. All the little things you don’t want to hunt for at the bottom of your purse!

Available for purchase in my etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsandtweed

New Design

I finally completed a new design! I feel good about this one because it pushed me to learn new techniques and experiment with new materials like leather and rivets. Moving to Montana has definitely limited my ability to take sewing and design classes. Everything that I learn now is through a process of experimentation and reading about it online. I hope someday to have enough money to go places to take some classes. I would love to learn how to print my own fabric. But for now I will keep on experimenting!

This bag is made with waxed canvas and wool for the exterior. The lining is an organic charcoal twill. The closure is made from leather (one thing I can definitely find here in Montana!). The exterior has an easy access back pocket. The interior also has a good sized pocket that could fit a cellphone, keys, etc. I will be working on new colors and patterns and hope to have these in my etsy shop soon. Thanks for looking!

Colette Patterns – Part Two

After a wonderful two week holiday break, I was able to get back into the studio to complete this backpack. Overall, I am happy with how it turned out and excited to work on some designs of my own. I think the hardest part of this design is getting those straps on the flap and body of the bag to match up. But I am a perfectionist!

Colette Patterns

When I first started buttons + tweed, my goal was to make backpacks and larger bags. Over the past few weeks, the temperatures in Montana have sunk below zero. The cold weather seems to have sparked a created flow for me. Probably because I don’t want to go outside! I’ve been sketching out some new bags that I’m very excited about. I’ve also started on my goal of making a backpack. Initially, I am just trying out some patterns from others to understand the process. Then my goal is to work on creating my own. Lucky for me, Colette Patterns just released a new pattern called the Cooper. It can be used to make a backpack, messenger bag, and/or a bike pannier. I’ve chosen some cheaper duck cloth and a wool blend, since I am just experimenting. I thought I would share what I have so far. I still need to complete the flap and the lining. The pattern is very easy to follow. Having no zippers, always make the process a bit easier!

I’ll share more as I continue to work on it. If you are interested in the pattern, you can find it at http://www.colettepatterns.com.

 

New Patterns

A few weeks ago, I celebrated my birthday in Denver with friends. While I was there, I had the pleasure of going into one of my favorite fabric stores, Fancy Tiger Crafts. I purchased two new organic cotton fabrics to use in my mini waxed canvas bags. Here is a look at the new patterns. And if you haven’t already checkout http://www.fancytiger.com. They have a great blog, as well as lots of fabric, yarn, and classes if you live in the Denver area.

These bags are available for purchase in my etsy shop!

Photo Shoot

I am so blessed to have a dear friend as a photographer. A few weeks ago, I sent some of my bags to Denver and the amazing Michelle Lemley photographed them for me.  I absolutely love how they turned out and had to share a few.

Thanks so much to Michelle Lemley Photography and model Danielle Beck for your support.

You can see more of Michelle’s work at http://www.michellelemley.com. All of these bags are for sale in my etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/buttonsandtweed. Thanks for visiting!