Interview with Sarah, a crafty young lady who makes handbags, continued.

What kind of workspace do you have?

My machine sits on my sewing table (a Horn of course!). Its great because it fits nice and comfortably in my sewing room and has lots of storage space. Behind my sewing table is another table that I use to put my notes on or half finished projects. Then, just outside my sewing room is a long cutting table (also a Horn) that I use to cut my fabrics on (my knees are thanking me for that purchase!)

Do you think that when your craft became a business you stopped enjoying it as much? And why?

I certainly haven’t stopped enjoying it as much. In fact, gives me great pleasure to receive feedback from my customers about what a difference having professional handbag parts makes to their bags. In fact, I am looking now to start sewing lessons in Sydney so that I can try and get other young women just like me involved in sewing their own handbags and fashion.

Are there any business problems that you consider are unique to a handcraft business?

Yes, if you are selling your handcrafted items the biggest problem is getting people to understand exactly how much your work is worth People don’t realise the amount of time, effort, love and, in some cases, tears that go into creating a handbag or a photo frame or whatever it is that you do. It is very difficult for craftspeople to get the return on their products that they deserve. I think that you should price your products so that you are paid for your time, as well as recouping the cost of the supplies needed to create the product.

Coin purse / pouch

What benefits have you found the internet has for your craft?

The internet is a huge part of our business. It means that I can sell my bags and my bag making supplies to people in the US, Canada, the UK – all over the world!

Do you sell the bags you make?

As I am so busy these days with my handbag supplies business I don’t really get the time to produce bags for the purposes of selling them. These days I just make them for my own enjoyment. My bedroom door handle is full with handbags that I have made recently.

What are some of the tools that you use to make a handbag?

Quite necessary is a sewing machine. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy and you can get them quite cheaply second hand. Secondly you need the right needles for different types of fabrics. I use regular needles, a leather needle, a stretch needle and a twin point needle.

What types of fabrics are most suited to making handbags?

Cotton is a favourite of mine because of the different prints and colours that it comes in. Plus, it is hardwearing, washable and easy to sew with.

How long do you think it would take to make a handbag like the Japanese style bags?

It took me a couple of hours to design the pattern and sew up the Japanese style bag that is pictured on my website. And I note you can get some of our patterns for free from our website.

Japanese style bag

Can you outline the typical process behind making something like these?

The typical process involves cutting out your pattern, cutting out the fabric, placing your interfacing onto the fabric, sewing the outer, sewing the inner lining, inserting your handbag parts (a magnetic snap or a pair of wooden handles) then turn it inside out, iron out any creases, sew up the seam and voila! There you have a new little handbag that you can take out with you and know that no-one else will have the same little handbag as you!!

Be sure to check out Sarah's Handbag Making Supplies online store. She stocks lovely bamboo handles, wooden handles, plastic handles and braided handles all at very reasonable prices.

Handbag craft interview page 1

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