Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Indie Designer Spotlight - Stitch & Swash

Leather so soft, it looks like it would melt with the slightest touch of your fingers.



This is what Seattle-based designer Angie Bowlds uses to create the beautiful, one-of-a-kind bags, coin purses and card holders for her line, Stitch & Swash. Angie sources this leather from dated, damaged and unwanted jackets that she finds in thrift stores.



She was taught how to sew at an early age by her mother and started specializing in bag-making a few years ago. A graphic designer by trade, Angie sees making her bags as the perfect way to combine the two things she loves - screenprinting and sewing.



Angie decided to make leather her material of choice because of it's strength, durability and ductility. She manipulates the creamy leather to create soft pleats, and the rich, neutral-toned leather makes an excellent background for Angie's brightly coloured, modern, screenprinted designs.



Angie runs Stitch & Swash from her basement studio in Seattle and has set up an Etsy store where she aims to offer products in a variety of colors and styles. Since Stitch &Swash does not offer wholesale items, she is able to keep the prices low so that her products are affordable for everyone. Currently, price of items range from US$6 to US$55.



Angie also has another store called The Crafty Devils which was started by her and friend Nicole, and it offers bags made out of new leather which she sells wholesale to a few shops. However, she finds it more rewarding to collect and recycle the soft, vintage jackets rather than use new leather because it gives them "new life as a bag that someone will love to have."

In the future, she plans to transition completely out of using new leather and also expand the Stitch & Swash line to include more tote and purse styles, men's wallets as well as new screenprint designs.




Click here to go to the Stitch & Swash Etsy store to see what other great items they have for sale!

39 comments:

crystal said...

These are great, the screenprinted designs are a nice touch!

Sharon S said...

Hi there-totally gorgeous items, thanks for sharing my dear!

DaisyChain said...

My word, these are amazing. Off to check out her etsy now.

Fashion Tidbits said...

woah! it looks like chocolate!

Kay said...

They are beautiful!

Unknown said...

those clutches look so good

Blicious said...

wow! i want one!

Shes Dressing Up said...

That leather looks so, so soft and lovely!

AsianCajuns said...

I love those pieces!

And don't worry, I'm working on my contest entry tonight :).

FASHION CHALET said...

how do I enter again for "Roger" the belt?? =]

xx

FASHION CHALET said...

nevermind- just read it haha :/ oops! and thanks for your sweet compliments!! i will try to make time to enter busy busy week.. ack!

Kelly said...

second bag is my fav! the random bit of color is so neat...

Unknown said...

wow. thanks for making me aware of her work. i really like the style of those bags.

WendyB said...

Those bags look so touchable.

cherie said...

that's really a work of art! i love the smell of leather.

Style Spot said...

wow these are amazing...especially the ones with print on them! thanks for sharing, dear xox

Christina Lee said...

those are great!!!

Couture Carrie said...

I adooooore super soft leather. Great bio and pics, D!

xoxox,
CC

Eyeliah said...

Oh wow, so buttery soft!

Catherine said...

I think that's a great idea. I don't buy new leather for reasons dealing with my beliefs, but this is giving a new purpose to unloved items! Love it.

Unknown said...

love those bags. so cute.

thanks for visiting my site.
hope to see you there again!

have a great day!

Trish said...

Etsy is the coolest OL store ever!! I love! :)

Cammila said...

Wow, you can actually see the soft "buttery" feel! Awesome finds, as always. :)

Mom Fashion World said...

thanks for dropping by my site and leaving some comment.
love to exchange link?

http://momfashionworld.blogspot.com/

Cheryl Lynn Pastor Romance Author said...

Danz, you've done it again! This is a wonderful post and right up my alley. I'm starting a new line of handbags for the fall winter of 2009-2010. What a fantastic idea for salvaging leather. I did the same with an old leather coat that I'd had for years and it turned out very good.

You are so brilliant when it comes to finding helpful tips and showcasing innovative indie designers.

KUDOS!

Kellie said...

Super cute! I love the screenprinting and the prices!

Aline said...

Hi!!! I am so glad that you found my blog...I am totally loving yours, I am trying to become a follower, but blogger is giving me a hard time...I will be back! These bags are lovely!!

SeanGarretteLundy said...

hey! i see you love fashion just as much as i do come visit my site some time! and comment my post, and if you like follow! thanks =]

Much Love,
XXX, SeanGarrette

Rebecca Jane said...

These bags are amazing! I love the images on them - and the shapes! Totally adding a "heart" to a new favorite Etsy store!

amy said...

I love ETSY! And I love this post. I'd love to buy one of these pieces.. hmm.. :)

paanie said...

i like the pleated seams. it gives it a different look.

stylefrontier said...

love the bags! so unique!

Anonymous said...

these are all so cute

Secretista said...

I love the business cards holder!!

I'm also digging your cartoons of the fashion bloggers! I don't know if I ever told you that...

Marian said...

Thanks for featuring her work. Love how buttery soft the leather pieces are. would love a oversized clutch in that leather.
muah x
marian

Tamia said...

Ooh, I love the idea of screenprinted leather! Must go check this out...

loveology said...

Wow, absolutely love it!
Thanks so much for sharing...

Tricia said...

beautiful, I love the screen printed bags!

I.M.O.W and The City said...

i want number one now!..
hehe..:)