Nicole's husband's bag N° : SM-060

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.

📰 In late 2023, Nicole contacted me following an article published in Le Progrès the previous year.

👜 Her request was unique: she wanted to surprise her husband for his birthday in early January, and for this, she needed me to reproduce a shoulder bag he had purchased 10 years ago and had not stopped borrowing from her despite its very poor condition…
It was a very basic bag in brown synthetic fabric, with visible seams, and she had already had had to patch up the handles.
She wanted something of better quality, that wouldn't look “all worn out” anymore and would last a long time, while pleasing her husband who swore by that bag…

🧥 A few months earlier, I had thrifted a women's lamb jacket with a rabbit fur collar, in a nearly identical brown to the bag to be reproduced, and with her agreement, I cut it up to use both the exterior and the lining, dismantling one of the pockets to put it back on the front.

🤫 It had to be done secretly, it was very fun!
I couldn't call her on the phone because her husband was there, and he also managed their shared email account… so we went through their daughter for exchanges of information and invoices.
She entrusted me with the bag for a few days for measurements, having prepared an excuse for her husband, then she came to pick it up at the workshop as if nothing was going on while I was still finishing the new bag.

Just before Christmas, it was ready and she came to pick it up.
She was delighted and thanked me, she even brought me a bag with fabrics she had kept for years, some really nice things... 🤫
I found this project really cool and the result is a bag outside gender stereotypes.

My husband has gotten used to his new bag and it suits him perfectly.
Thank you again for your creation.

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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

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.

“What if I’m disappointed? / I’ve had a bad experience before”

Every project is approved step by step with a detailed quote, photos, and regular updates.
Nothing is started without your agreement, ensuring a result that meets your expectations.

Can I follow the making of my piece as it happens?

You get to choose, and it's a genuine decision to make at the start of the project.

Full updates with photos: I send you photos and sometimes videos at each key stage: cutting, assembly, finishing. You see your fabric come to life step by step. Some people love this. Others find it only makes the waiting harder!

Total surprise: I work away quietly, you see nothing until you open the parcel. For those who want the sense of wonder to be fully intact, right through to the last moment.

Something in between works too: a message after the cutting stage, a photo mid-way, then the surprise finale.

Whatever you choose, one thing I promise: if something along the way needs your input (a motif placement decision, an unexpected colour choice), I'll reach out. You will never be faced with a fait accompli on anything that matters.

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