Blog — embroidered bags

This summer we've been really busy in the studio developing fabulous bags for our autumn and winter collection. Thanks to our new sewing machine (affectionately known as the "psycho machine"), we've been able to incorporate leather into the designs, with leather handles, bases and internal and external detailing throughout the new range. We've also reintroduced embroidery to our bags, by popular demand. Among the motifs you'll find some old favourites, like our St Ives lifebuoy - and some new favourites, like the Happy Hipster and Unicorn! But first we had to assemble our tools, get to grips with the new machine, and decide what shapes and sizes the bags would be... We had quite a lot of fun experimenting and road testing the different ideas along the way! Set up and initial prototypes Bag making tools on the table The "psycho" machine New colourful threads Test pieces Bag factory Little bag prototype More experiments with bag shapes Tote bag initial sketches Oilcloth Tote prototype - first road test to the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey Oilcloth tote bags: Best in Show, Darling Dachshund, Oyster Catcher Best in Show Oilcloth Tote St Ives tote in production St Ives tote in production St Ives Sketchbook Tote Unicorn Sketchbook Tote Vintage Bike Sketchbook Tote[ Clutch bag initial sketches Grey goose embroidery on the machine Sketchbook Clutch bags. The bags are available to buy now from our St Ives shop and will be available online in the very near future.