Thrift Thursday: That Tablecloth Becomes You!

The other night I was smiling over a new bag pattern I had created, and immediately started to tear into my stash to find new fabric combinations. When you've been designing handbags and collecting vintage fabric for a little over 5 years - your stash just seems to grow and grow - in fact, I always claim that my fabric has babies while I'm out.

Looking through tub after tub of fabric, I smile as I remember the shopping adventure that led to each purchase. My fabric is like a solid group of friends - and making it into bags to be enjoyed by lovely ladies is a really neat way to share my love of textiles!



Today's Thrift Store Score focuses on a HUGE 1970s tablecloth I purchased a few years ago. I remember my heart pounding as I spotted the fabric - a bulky pile amidst the fabric bins. The bright army/olive green shouted at me - Anne Marie! Do you see me? Come and look - unfold me - I am HUGE and you can make dozens of bags out of me!

The tablecloth was a large oval shape, and the fabric a nice plain weave cotton - kind of nubby and woven with thick yarn. The edge of the tablecloth was decorated with quite possibly the ugliest trim I've ever seen, and that HAD to go.



I have been making a few bags out of the fabric each year - trying to extend the life of the tablecloth as long as possible. I find it satisfying to make many different styles of bags out of the same fabric - it brings out new sides of the fabric's character. I have often admired designers like my friend CHIA, who can cut an entire piece of vintage fabric at once, and then be done with it.

I tend to hold onto them like bestest friends - we're not through with each other until every kind of bag possible has been created from it. This style is my hugely popular Wendy Zipper Tote. It's big and roomy but very lightweight - and it holds a LOT. Check it out in my etsy store - and stay tuned for more thrifting, crafting and sewing adventures.

Anne Marie Beard

Thrift Thursday: From scary dress to sexy bag

Oh how I love to thrift shop! I am a serious thrift shopper, my friends. If I am in the store more than 15 minutes then something is seriously wrong. It's like a challenge - walk in the store - eyes narrowed, looking for that perfect deal, walking super fast.

I go thrifting when I have a little twinge of an electric feeling inside - "there's something good out there today..." and usually, there is!

One of my favorite things to look for is vintage fabric - I will cut up sheets, draperies, tablecloths, clothes and more. All of the bags I make have a cool story behind them - usually centered around the adventure of purchasing the fabric.



Today I finally got around to posting some bags for sale in my Etsy store - do you have any idea how long it takes to measure and weigh all your products for sale online? It has only taken me 5 years to do it!!!






So one of the bags I posted today is the result of a thrifting trip - Picture this dress - sleeveless with a neru collar, empire waistband, and floor length skirt. All in this dark green paisley print with pops of orange, blue and tan. You could stop traffic in a dress like that! Snip snip snip went the scissors - and voila - I made a sexy, curvy bag.





The funny thing about all this eco/green conciousness to me is that - wait, is it 1992 again? I was the product of the MASSIVE green wave of the early '90s, and recycling has always been a way of life. I mean, who wants to wear what everyone else has, when you can score a funky skirt at Goodwill, or make a fabulous bag out of a hideous dress? For those of you who aren't so handy with the sewing machine - you can always browse my Etsy store for tons more goodies made from recycled/eco-friendly/green materials. It's nothing new - but I may as well mention that it's part of the *annemarie* ethos.

Happy Thrifting!