Etsy Tuesdays Kari of the Thrifty Needle

Hi, my name is Kari and I am addicted to shopping at thrift stores.

No, really, I am. <grin>

Why you ask? Easy! Second hand stores are gleaming with craft finds like retro sewing patterns, stacks of fabric, old curtains, sheets, yarn and clothes. Clothes that not even your grandma could love anymore…but what if all these things could be reconstructed into something new? Something wonderful and useful again? Heck, none of my sewing machines are new: my main machine is a hand-me-down Pfaff 260 from my mom; I bring my grandmother’s lil 1935 Singer Featherweight to any Stich & Bs I might be going to. Even my Bernina serger 2000s was purchased from the Goodwill on 6th Ave for $5!

Therefore, I set a goal: what can I do with only thrifted, pre-loved materials? So, being a purse and handbag maven I figured I could start there. Thus the Thrifty Needle got its start making field bags from cargo pants.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

[You can see the field bags in Kari's store here.]

A field bag? Long story made short: I am owned by two Italian greyhounds who love to go to the dog park. I needed a cross-body bag that had lots of pockets for treats, toys and the duty bags. Heck even the ball-chucker needed a place to go so, with a little research and modifications, I got what I was seeing in my mind’s eye. Someone then asked “Why don’t you sell them? They’re great!”

Once I started sewing, I couldn’t stop!

Currently, I am developing a larger carryall that can accommodate more like a weekender bag. I call it a carpetbagger. Again, made from fabrics gleaned from the shelves of local thrift stores.

So, the next time you say you’ll never be caught dead in a thrift store, consider the possibilities there. Better repurposed than in the landfill!

My store can be found at dafoxx.etsy.com
I also make and sell snuggle sacks for pets at www.snugglesax.com

Hope to see you soon!

Posted via email from Earmarks