This gray tote bag was made from vintage waxed camping tent. Instead of mixing the colors like I had in previous bags, I stuck to a single lovely gray color. By adding orange painted tips to the handles (which are a natural leather that will soften & darken with age) and a small white painted cross it transformed a sleepy fabric into something still subtle but with just enough zing. The leather cording can be ties casually for closing the top.
A couple of weeks ago I came by a man selling old canvas tents from the 60′s. I had been looking on ebay for just that sort of thing. Eureeka! It was like I stumbled on my own secret treasure trove. I was thinking, “I better buy these quickly before someone else takes them!” I brought them home & all everyone could say was,”Why, Elke?” Couldn’t they see the potential in the old waxy cotton? I cut them in pieces (gasp) then washed them. Firstly, I learned that you should NEVER put waxed cotton in a high heat dryer (picture a box of crayons melted all over the inside….I will not say more) After cleaning I found the fabric to be even more beautiful & full of character than before. Love you ask? Most definitely. I am picturing them as very casual over-sized summer bags that you would fill with towels to bring to the beach. Here is a very quick first sample that I whipped up as a hostess gift to friends that will be gone all summer. More proto’s to come.
