Limited Edition Clutch

Surprise! We will be making a limited edition heavy weight clutch for sale in our Etsy shop. We will make them until we run out of fabric, so supplies are limited. I have been carrying mine for a while now and LOVE it. Perfect for running errands.
They are $49 with $5 shipping within the US. Here is a peek:

Randall Addition!

Remember that blue Randall I mentioned before? Well, its alive! We added a lovely new color to the Randall family and have a brown one coming up next. So pop on over to Nikolettebags.com to have a peek!

On a musical note, I made my first Spotify playlist recently! I know, I know, I am way behind the rest of the universe on this. I started with this one, with some bands you may recognize:

Sewing List - click to enlarge

I also have one still in creation. It is my Oldies list. Right now it looks like this:

Oldies List - Click to enlarge

More on that as it grows.

The Nikolette crew will be heading to a Thanksgiving getaway for a few days, but we'll be back next week for all kinds of exciting blabbering about things.

Happy Feasting Day!

Margot Tote, Reading Public. Reading Public, Margot Tote.

So, time to learn you a little bit about the bag that kind of started it all, the Margot Tote. Just take a look at the evolution of this bad girl:

The first version was a diaper bag. It was made on a home sewing machine, a 70s model Kenmore, and made of duck canvas with a vinyl lining.

It then turned into this as a tote bag. Gee Whiz, the stitching on that is less than desirable! But hey, thats how we learn! This was also duck canvas, even on the inside.

Then we came here. This version was also a diaper bag and had a vinyl lining. Better stitching here and we added a zipper up there if you can see it.

Then back to a tote. The flap on this one looks huge! This version also had a zipper and was made of duck.

Then I got my industrial sewing machine and was able to really do things I couldn't with my Kenmore. This next generation of Margot was proportioned properly and had that Juki stitching!

Then we played around with a few waxed canvas versions. Trying to get the proportions and pattern JUST so. You'll also notice we ditched the white thread. The brown just looked so much more... sophisticated to me.

And now we get to the Margot of today. Waxed canvas and cordura, this is a killer work, Mom, diaper, lunch, ANYTHING bag.

So, we've cleaned her up a bit. Got rid of all the odd kinks from the previous patterns and went with a two tone color scheme.

Take a look under the hood and you'll find the key clasp and two good sized pockets. The flap doesn't go all the way over the zipper like the others. That interfered with the shoulder straps so we moved the flap to the front of the bag.

And on the back side we got a big ol' pocket for your convenience. Good for a book or notebook that you want to get to easily while sitting on the train or sitting in the waiting room.

The inside - where this bag really shines. First lets start with the large pocket all the way to the left in the above image. This is for your magazines, notebooks, or tablet. I like having those off to the side and out of the way so this compartment was a must. Move a bit to the right and you get to the "gadget" pockets. Good for iPod, cell phone, mints, etc. Just to keep your little things in an easy to find place.
Now lets got all the way to the right in that view and note the zipper pocket. This is a big guy and perfect for all those things you need to be hidden and secure. I always keep cash in a zipper pocket, I'm careful like that. And adjacent to the a fore mentioned zipper pocket is a pen slip and two wide open pockets for bigger things. You'll see in the pictures above we fit a camera, umbrella, water bottle and a baby bottle in those. Which brings me to my advice portion of this post. Possible addition to the Margot: In the new Randall we added an elastic inside for water bottles. I've debated adding one to the Margot but something tells me that may just be too much. What do you think?
I hoped you enjoyed getting to know the Margot and are inspired to organize!
We're tossing ideas around in these parts about a possible December addition to the Etsy store - more on that next time!

Heres and Theres and Everywheres!

First off, isn't Autumn in Portland beautiful?! I used to hate any weather below 75 degrees, but this city is "warming" me up to chillier temps. A spot by the fireplace with a hot cuppa and a cuddle with the dog and the beau... not so bad.
If you couldn't tell by the pic above, we have our first Randall in the shop! It is red, and I am working on a blue one to put up next.

We'll get more in depth next time, but the Randall has a few new features- including micro suede lined cell phone pockets, an interior water bottle elastic, and a giant interior pouch for a laptop, tablet or your books/mags. Lovin' it!

As promised, I am working on a Getting to Know You post for the Margot. This bag kicks my butt. It is the most difficult to make in the line, but it is worth it! If I had a baby, this would no doubt be my diaper bag. When/if I get an iPad or tablet of some kind I may move to one full time (don't tell my current Lucy and Kimball!). I may also ask a bit of advice in that coming post. Get some consumer response!

For those of you new to the world of Nikolette, let me fill you in on a not-so-secret bit of information about our lives. We. Love. Breakfast! It is a weekend tradition to set the alarm and head to one of Portland's MANY breakfast/brunch establishments and throw the diet out the window.* And along the lines of Vegan Bags/ Vegan Living we have been popping into some of the many vegan eateries and PIGGING OUT!

Corn Waffles with raspberry sauce from Paradox Cafe. Big pile of yum.

Pumpkin dipped french toast from Blossoming Lotus. Everything on their menu blew my mind!

The giveaway with Skinned Knees ended this week and a new brown Lucy is off to the winner. Hope you love it, Erika!
So for now, everyone, stay tuned to nikolettebags.com for more Randall offerings and keep your eyes here for more about the Margot! Enjoy your day! (or week, or month, year, decade...)

*We quickly head to the gym to repent for our sins. Thank you WCF!

Musical Distractions

I am a woman of many moods (which I guess could be said about anyone, really). Sometimes I prefer to work in silence and be unaware of the passage of time or the beeps of emails etc. Other times I like to listen to music, have a goofy movie on in the background or talk to the cats.
I thought I might share with you some of the music and other things I like while I am Nikoletting. Enjoy.

First off: Santogold.
This album came out in '08 and I haven't stopped listening since. Every track is as awesome as the last. I almost passed out with pure joy when I learned she has a new album on the way. Highly recommend.

Next: Blouse
I just came across this Portland based band today and listened to a few tracks that I liked so well I thought I would save the rest for this evening when I am taking some bag photos. Think goth meets Stereolab with a little Portishead mixed in there. I know.

My fallback: Ratatat
When I want music but can't think of anything specific I'd like to hear I usually go to the Ratatat Spotify page and just let 'er play. Hours of good listening.

Background Movie: Return of the Living Dead
Anyone who knows me wants me to shut up about this movie. I turned it on just to pass the time while I had an extended stint at the cutting table and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. The banter is perfect, the zombies talk back and the gore is so 80's. Perfect for tedious work like cutting patterns.

Great Movie: Castaway on the Moon
This one you have to actually sit and watch so you can read the subtitles - but I wanted to throw it in anyway just because it was such a great movie. Dan picked this out for us to watch the other night and it stuck with me. Funny, sad, relatable, and well done. Go watch it!

So I am off to give the Blouse album a proper listen and photograph some bags to post up for you. Hope you will like them!

Let's Talk Kimball

The Kimball. Probably our most popular bag and for good reason - it's practical, people! It's a great day bag size, 12.5" x 8", and has all the pockets you need for running around like a crazy person, the way we all do from time to time.

Lets start with the overall generalities: 

First we have the removable shoulder strap for days when you want to wear it cross body or just over one shoulder. Then there is the top handle for when there is simply no time for a strap or when you want to carry it satchel style. I like the satchel version for when I have it filled with a few paperbacks - makes me feel all scholarly and learned. Glasses are a must for this, as well. Blazer optional. 

Under the flap is two pockets and a key clasp. My favorite method is keys in the one pocket (clasped of course so I can get them whilst my arms are full of grocery bags) and cell phone in the other. That way my phone is safe under the flap, but I can still get to it while the flap is latched.

Turn this bag around and you will find a generous 8" pocket. I tend to keep this pocket empty so that I can use it to throw things in throughout the day - receipt, flyer, gum wrapper, or whatever I may encounter and need to stash. That way it is easy to get cleaned out when I get home.

Now let us move inside. As are all of our new bags, the inside is lined in water tight cordura. This stuff will save your life. Make up melts. Candy is sticky. Bananas get smashed. I cannot tell you the amount of bags I have ruined because I carry food with me at all times. All you have to do is wipe out the inside with a wet rag - done. No more caramel in your cell phone pocket.

Speaking of cell phone pockets, lets go over the compartments you will find in here. On the back side is a zipper pocket and two gadget pockets. Ladies, need I tell you what I use my zipper pocket for? Lets just say its great for things that need not fall out of my bag while I'm paying for coffee. The gadget pockets hold my iPod and a small bottle of lotion. I'm a bit of a moisturizing maniac and feel my lotions deserve their own pockets.

On the front side is a pen slip and a larger open pocket. My wallet lives in this pocket leaving the rest of the bag free for more important things like cookies or a toy laser gun. 

I hope you have enjoyed your Tour de Kimball. You can learn about the Lucy here and we'll dive head first into the Margot in the coming weeks.

Remember to order by 12/1/11 for delivery by Christmas. All clearance items are ready to ship, so you can order those on your whim. 

Until next time!