the wool tweed handbag

I can finally reveal the first three of the wool tweed handbags! One in olive green, a second in cranberry and olive green, and the third in charcoal grey.

There are several more in various states of construction – a blue-grey one, a brown and beige one, and a few others. Now I see these ones finished, I might just have to start finishing the others today.

These bags have taken a while to come to fruition. The process started with a chance find of a Harris Tweed jacket in an op shop about nine months ago. The fabric and colours were exquisite, I couldn't help but be inspired. Then the hunt for other jackets was on!

Once I had amassed a collection of Harris Tweed jackets (I think I ended up with eight of them) and other pure wool tweed jackets and wool skirts and pants, I had the raw materials for the handbags. Then the design process began.

Colour palettes started to come together. And I could see how I could design a handbag that made use of the construction and design elements of the original jacket. Each jacket was deconstructed into its basic elements: jacket fronts and backs, sleeves, linings. These were then hand washed and dried in the sun. After ironing, the cutting began.

Then the magic happened. Bits of fabric, interfacing, lining and leather slowly became a handbag. I found they didn't really look like real handbags until the hardware for the straps had been attached.

I think the olive green one is my favourite so far. If you want it you'd better snap it up in the shop now – before I decide to keep it for myself!!