Loïc's canvas N° : SM-067

Mon mari Loïc m'a commandé une “banane-sacoche-bandoulière-mais-près-du-corps” pour alterner avec son immense sac à dos de boulot, une super occasion de vous faire apprécier à quel point mon travail c’est vraiment d’incarner vos idées et envies, quels que soit votre genre, vos goûts et vos besoins….

😳 2 YEARS! It's been 2 years that I've been trying to convince my husband to let me make him a wallet or a bag…

🙄 But no!
Even though he knows my creativity and attention to detail, has seen my technical skills up close and their evolution…
Nothing doing.

🤔 Why? Honestly, no idea, if you have any, I'm all ears…
(He whispered to me after reading this that it's because he didn't need one 🤭)

🤏🏻 Oh, he did challenge me with a “cargo bike bag” three and a half years ago, one of my very first projects, and last year he reluctantly agreed to let me fix the zipper on his wallet (but alas, it needed replacing, it gave out again), but that's it 😏

🎉 And now, this year, a miracle.
He asked me for a custom bag to alternate with his huge work backpack.
(You can imagine angelic choruses as background music)

📐 So, we discussed his needs, took measurements, looked at models, drew sketches, chose the materials (the same ones as for the cargo bike bag and the kids' school backpacks)…
In short, the usual steps in the custom ordering process, just like when women contact me 😅

👀 And here it is.
His “hip-crossbody-but-close-to-body-bag”:

  • - With a simple and effective shape;
  • - Made of coated and/or reinforced technical fabrics;
  • - With an extra-wide, super comfortable synthetic woven strap;
  • - Equipped with an all-metal quick-release climbing clip buckle;
  • - And it holds exactly what he wanted, no more, no less: his camera, his wallet, his notebook and pen, and maybe a little extra if he's in a whimsical mood…

🤞🏻 I now have high hopes of finally making him a new wallet to replace his one that's on its last legs… 2025 goal?

👌🏻 Until then, he's happy, and so am I!
Plus, it gave me the chance to tell you a story and I hope it helps you appreciate how my work is truly about embodying your ideas and desires, no matter your gender, tastes, and needs…

I had been looking for a small everyday bag as an alternative to my large backpack for when I go out with just the essentials (wallet, notebook, pen, and sometimes a camera). Marie was able to listen to my needs and suggest different models until she showed me a very simple one whose style I liked.
We then discussed all the details. Fortunately, she guided me through the process because I wouldn’t have thought of half the questions she asked!
In the end, I love this bag, and it’s been incredibly useful to me. As a bonus, the great metal buckle adds weight to the overall design, making it even easier and more pleasant to use.
As for the bag itself, the craftsmanship is perfect!
Thank you, Marie!

Other beautiful stories

Élodie's babywearing wrap scrap

Élodie is a loyal customer who had fallen in love with the Croisette model (she has good taste!) and had a wonderful offcut in mind for its creation.

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Nicole's husband's bag

In late 2023, Nicole contacted me with an original request: she wanted to surprise her husband for his birthday by reproducing a shoulder bag that he had been using for 10 years despite its dilapidated condition. The result? A bag that transcends gender stereotypes.

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Michèle's desire

Michèle is my mother and one of my earliest supporters. Not only did she occasionally indulge in creations born from my inspiration, but as a lifelong bag enthusiast, she also placed a few custom orders. Recently, she commissioned me for a pair of booties.

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After

Browse the designs I have my idea All your stories

Want to tell your story too?

Did one of these stories inspire you, and do you feel ready to write your own? Book a free phone or video call (on Zoom) to tell me about your fabric, budget, schedule, and ideas.

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Photo of Marie Alhomme

Common questions

Can I combine fabrics from different people in the same piece?

Absolutely, and it can be extraordinarily beautiful.

Blending your grandfather's jacket with your grandmother's scarf in one bag, weaving together fabrics from three generations in a clutch... these assemblages carry something powerfully symbolic, and they often produce visually rich and unexpected results.

The only constraints are technical: the fabrics need to be compatible with each other (durability, thickness, structure), and each piece needs to be large enough for the planned cuts. But by playing with finishes (flat panels, patchwork, geometric or organic shapes), we can often work with small pieces and still create something coherent.

We take stock together during the discovery call, looking at your fabrics and imagining the possibilities. Bring everything you have!

How much fabric do I need to provide?

It depends entirely on the piece you choose, but here are some concrete reference points:

  • Pocket mirror (Ocebo'): a 6×6 cm piece is enough;
  • Coin purse, wallet: roughly 20×20 cm to 40×30 cm depending on the model;
  • Clutch, compact crossbody: approximately 40×40 cm to 60×60 cm;
  • Medium-sized bag: from 50×80 cm upwards, depending on the silhouette;
  • Slippers (size EU 38): 21×60 cm for the low version, 55×92 cm for the ankle version;
  • Bomber jacket (size EU 38): 1.1 m × width (65 cm min) without sleeves, 2.2 m with.

A question I often hear about newborns: is a onesie or a small square of baby clothing enough? Yes, more than enough for a small piece (Ocebo', coin purse); for a larger bag, it's completed with a compatible fabric, always with your approval. There's also the Signature finish from the Essentials range, which makes it possible to use several small pieces together.
And of course, several fabrics can be combined too (the same person's clothes from different periods, or several siblings' garments, for example).

The good news: I also work with small pieces. If your fabric is on the tight side, certain finishes allow me to cut in free or geometric shapes and waste almost nothing. We work it out together during the discovery call, before any decisions are made.

And if you're not sure exactly how much fabric you have? Just take a photo, bring it to our first chat, and we'll figure out what's possible.

“I can’t afford it”

As standard, payment is already split into 3.
And if that's still tight, we can spread it out further: let's talk.

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