The Pergamino Burlap Tote

And that's a wrap! This weekend I finished up the Pergamino burlap tote bag, and I could not be happier with the outcome! Last week, I shared a few behind the scenes photos on the making of this new jute tote bag. It just wrapped up and is now available for purchase in our Etsy shop, just in time for the warmer weather.

The Pergamino is made using a light colored burlap cut from an upcycled coffee bean sack provided by our friends at RoosRoast in Ann Arbor. The pattern and text on this bag is truly unique - this is the only bag I have seen in my two and a half years of working with used coffee bean sacks, which makes this bag particularly special. The logo and weight information is offset with a beautiful tree image and green and red woven stripes. The bottom of the bag is a solid black cotton fabric that ties in with the black, flat woven handles. I decided to keep the accents pretty simple on this bag so that the beautiful print is the main focus.

Inside the bag are two slide pockets of differing width. The smaller pocket fits a cell phone and the larger pocket is good for grab and go items like keys, compacts, and more. The inside is a solid white cotton fabric. Again, I chose this color scheme to really make that exterior burlap pop out.

This is a large bag, making it a perfect tote for the beach, pool, or lake this summer when we tend to have to carry more items with us as we go. It's a good option for vacations or travel totes, fitting anything from magazines to tablets or books for long car or plane rides.

Remember to stop by our shop to see this bag and more that are available for purchase now!

Enjoy!

Erica

Pergamino Burlap Bag Behind the Scenes

It was a pretty dreary weekend here in Michigan, but for me, that means it is time to make use of the indoors and get comfy in front of the sewing machine.

Right now, I am in the middle of making a new burlap beach bag tote.  It's a bit hard to see, but the texture of this burlap sack is unique. I would describe it as straw-like. It is lighter in color and more rough to the touch, which means a perfect beach or picnic bag for the summer! I'm naming it Pergamino, based on the industrial logo and text that is featured on the outside of the bag, and the beautiful plant silhouette that accompanies it. 

This is going to be a large bag, designed to hold beach towels or picnic blankets, or both really. I'm excited to wrap it up, as I have a few different ideas for unique handles and embellishments floating around in my head right now.

I'll be back this weekend share the final pictures of this new beach bag. For now, remember to follow our Facebook page for more current updates on our items, sales, news, and in progress pictures taken directly from my sewing studio.

P.S. Did you hear the news? Lina and Vi will be participating in the Plymouth farmer's markets this summer! If you are local to the area, remember to mark May 7th on your calendar as that is opening day and I will be there!

Thanks for stopping by!

Erica

Intercontinental Burlap Cross-body Bag

Happy Wednesday! Over this past weekend, I sewed up a brand new messenger-style burlap bag, feeling inspired by the warmer weather and more casual days of summertime. The Intercontinental burlap bag is a medium-size cross-body bag that features a cotton canvas-lined flap top and handmade wooden button. Yes, you read that right, HANDMADE! I enlisted help from my woodworker hobbyist husband to make this button from some leftover Peruvian walnut he had in his wood shop. This is truly something special and really ties into the warmth of the burlap.

The burlap used to create this new design was sourced from our friends at RoosRoast in Ann Arbor, and the front burlap panel features a bright green industrial logo that bleeds into the side seam. It's a fun focal point against all of the shades of brown. The back panel of this burlap purse is created from a piece of a burlap coffee bean sack that has a purple stripe woven directly into the burlap weave. The green and purple pair is vibrant and peppy, perfect for the bright, sunny days of the late spring and summer.

I choose to use a cream cotton canvas for the interior lining so as to keep the eye focused mostly on the exterior of the bag and the various details found in the authentic print and handmade button. There is one flat, slide pocket on the interior back panel for keeping small items organized and at reach. Otherwise, it is a single compartment that is spacious enough to hold a small tablet at ease.

I really love how the Intercontinental bag turned out. The top-stitching detail on the top flap is something that I am particularly proud of as I managed to keep the fabric steady while feeding it at a consistent pace to make the stitches evenly spaced. This is one of those casual bags for strolling along a park or art fair or farmers market in the summer, when our hands are busy gripping flowers, touching beautiful handmade crafts, or holding tiny kiddo hands or our furry friend's leash.

You can find this beautiful messenger style bag for sale now in our Etsy shop here.

Thanks for stopping by!
Erica

Etsy Shop 2 Year Anniversary - Thank You!

Two years ago today I decided to open up the Lina and Vi Etsy shop, and I'm so thankful that I took the leap of faith and had an open mind to give it a try. It has been a lot of fun being able to connect with people from around the country and share my handmade items with them. To know that I helped to make someone's holiday, birthday, wedding, or just an ordinary day a little bit more special is awesome and reaffirms for me why I spend my free time running my little shop.

Thank you to everyone who have supported me along this journey. I'm excited to see where the next 2 years on Etsy take me!

P.S. I listed a bunch of new items today in honor of our anniversary! Stop on by check it now at www.linaandvi.etsy.com.