From Secondhand Finds to One-of-a-Kind Bags
1. Preparing to Search
Lisa pulls on protective gloves before beginning her search for secondhand clothing and textiles.
2. Digging for Possibilities
Lisa sorts through large bins of donated garments and household textiles, looking for colors, textures, and materials with creative potential.
3. Inspecting the Fabric
A burgundy textile catches Lisa’s eye. She unfolds it for a closer look at its color, size, and condition.
4. Checking for Usable Material
Lisa examines a pale blue textile, opening it up to see how much usable fabric it might provide.
5. Discovering Interesting Details
Lisa considers a teal shirt with a colorful geometric design (Looks like Portland Airport Carpet)—an example of the distinctive details that can inspire a new creation.
6. Finding Bold Prints
Lisa examines a bright red garment covered in skulls and roses, searching for unusual patterns that could give a finished piece its personality.
7. Pairing the Materials
Back in the studio, Lisa compares tan corduroy pants with a dark patterned textile to see how their colors and textures work together.
8. Building the Palette
A cream-and-tan checked fabric is added to the mix, creating a coordinated combination of color, pattern, and texture.
9. Gathering the Components
The selected garments and fabrics are brought to the cutting table, where Lisa also considers a coordinating thread for construction.
10. Studying the Garment
Before cutting, Lisa carefully examines the corduroy pants to identify the best sections of fabric and determine how they can be reused.
11. Deconstructing the Corduroy
Using a ruler and rotary cutter, she begins cutting the corduroy into clean, usable sections for the new design.
12. Preparing the Patterned Fabric
Lisa spreads and smooths the dark patterned fabric across the cutting surface so it can be measured and cut accurately.
13. Placing the Template
A sturdy rectangular template is positioned on the patterned fabric to plan and cut one of the bag’s components.
14. The Finished Piece
The completed bag brings the rescued materials together: a tan corduroy body, a dark patterned front flap, and coordinated handles and straps.