When’s the last time you had a conversation with an inanimate object? For me, such talks often involve cursing, but not this time. No, this is a story of a happy chat, one where the thing spoke to me, not the other way around. I was browsing men’s suits at my local Savers when one decided it had something to say. It knew who I was, clearly, and it didn’t waste any time.
The second I slid its hanger along the rack, the suit got my attention and began. “I MUST become a bag one day,” it shouted up at me. “Look at my funky pockets,” it continued. “They’re not meant for a suit. They neeeeed to be part of a bag. It’ll be cross-body. Slouchy and so cool. C’mon, I know you see my ’70s vibe. Come ON. Did I mention my funky pockets? The POCKETS, I say!”

Yes, that’s one of THE pockets, right there in the center, all giant and cool. Only now, it features custom embellishments involving a sweet button and an upholstery scrap from my stash.
As you most certainly know by now, I found myself unable to dispute such claims. I may have been searching for fabric for a cap, but these were some well-articulated points! Whew. I bought the suit and continued my initial search. (For documentation of this fateful trip, check out my post, From Thrift-Shop Jacket to Newsboy Cap.)
You know how this story ends: I did make a bag, and I love it. Getting from vision to bag, though, was harder than I thought it’d be. I knew what I wanted to do, but first I had to figure out how. I searched for a pattern that fit my vision, one that would let me feature two contrasting suits and a belt for the strap. After finding a series of near misses, I admitted what I’d known all along: I would have to wing it.
And so it began. Through the weeks that followed, I spent mornings, evenings, and weekends tinkering. I cut into the jackets. I reshaped their fabric into rectangles and strips. I pieced them together to suit the bag living in my mind (ha, ha). I tested interior fabric (called interfacing) to influence structure.
I sewed pieces together. I ironed their seams. Then, when something wasn’t right, I got out my seam ripper and took them apart. I bought a second one while making this bag, as I needed it nearby at all times. Seriously. I used those darned seam rippers at every step. Every. Single. Step.
Along the way I wondered, more than once, why I was spending so much time on just one bag. Cursing at inanimate objects became a regular occurrence. But here’s the thing: Every hour I spent was an hour that got me closer to making something new. This was a chance to put something on this earth that wasn’t there before.

My new seam ripper in all its glory. The experience of using it is more palatable now that I have an artisan version. It’s handmade from acrylic and feels substantial in your hand. At the local sewing shop where I got it, each was different. This one’s hand-labeled tag read, “Italian Sunset.”
Making something new is an urge that compels me greatly, persistently, but I was equally drawn to the process of transformation. I also got to give new life to something that’s been discarded. I got to pluck a suit from its industrial rack and turn it into a bag unlike any other. I got to play with color and surround myself with possibility, all while working with my hands. When viewed from eye of the maker, my question then became, “How can I not spend time on this?”
If you’re a maker, you know the feeling of getting lost in your craft. You’ve lived the journey of getting inspired, starting, slogging, reworking, walking away, coming back, toiling, seeing, believing, then finally–sometimes, anyway–finishing.
Now here’s the part where I get to play fangirl to another of my favorite podcasts. Do you want to hear a description of the making process that’s so eloquent you just may cry? Of course you do. Get yourself immediately to Jonathan Fields’ Good Life Project. There you’ll find his beautifully crafted installment, “How Working with Your Hands Changes You.” If I had a glass, I’d raise it to all you creators out there. Instead I have a laptop and a cat on my lap.
P.S.: Are you a crafty blogger looking for a link-up? Try The Casual Craftlete, Merry Monday. or Coastal Charm.
The pockets make it! Good find and so glad he had a chat with you. 😉
I’m also glad he spoke up, Nancy. 🙂
Love the pockets!
Thanks, 60while60! I’ve been doing market research, asking people how they’d change bags I’ve made. The most common answer: More pockets and closures. Turns out it was fun to include them this way.
Marvelous ideas you have. Simply marvelous. 🙂
Wow, I consider this a high compliment, coming from a poet. Truly, Nomzi. Thank you!
My dear that is so kind of you to say. Your work is not only beautiful but it is the way forward towards a bright future. Inspiring through and through. So thank you for that. 🙂
Oh, Nomzi. On days when I wonder why I spend so much time blogging, I’ll remember you and our community of creators. 🙂
My dear I know what you mean about the time factor. Yikes. All I know is that good things come to those who wait. Plus networking is a good thing. Yes. 🙂
When I started this, I sensed I wanted to connect to community. Never thought much about what that would mean, though. Now I know: Discovering there are people like you out there.
Indeed. Someone like you is out there. That is wonderful. 🙂
My friend recognizes your name as South African. Is she right? She knows siSwati and has taught me “Ngiyabonga kakhulu”
She is so right. I am South African. 🙂 SiSwati looks similar to Zulu from here. What a lovely surprise. You are most welcome. Have a lovely and peaceful weekend you two. 🙂
Yes, she mentioned Zulu. I can’t wait to tell her today; she’ll be pleased. 🙂
These bags you made yourself out of jackets are AMAZING! Not only do the look good, but you were also able to put the jacket pockets to good use! Wonderful Photos! Keep it up!
Much appreciated, Ncrrosales. Your comment makes me want to try re-making this pattern. I’m having fun seeing how everybody interprets the photo prompts!
You have great skills – what a wonderful story for this old jacket. It has new adventures to go on. Nice job!
Making new stories. That’s what it’s all about, right, Julia?
This suit makes a MUCH better bag hands down!
Thank you so much. I want to make another upcycled project this weekend.
That is so cute! I’m very impressed with your ability to come up with new uses for items!