Nicole's husband's bag N° : SM-060

In late 2023, Nicole contacted me with an original request: she wanted to surprise her husband for his birthday by reproducing a shoulder bag that he had been using for 10 years despite its dilapidated condition. The result? A bag that transcends gender stereotypes.

📰 In late 2023, Nicole contacted me following an article published in Le Progrès the previous year.

👜 Her request was unique: she wanted to surprise her husband for his birthday in early January, and for this, she needed me to reproduce a shoulder bag he had purchased 10 years ago and had not stopped borrowing from her despite its very poor condition…
It was a very basic bag in brown synthetic fabric, with visible seams, and she had already had had to patch up the handles.
She wanted something of better quality, that wouldn't look “all worn out” anymore and would last a long time, while pleasing her husband who swore by that bag…

🧥 A few months earlier, I had thrifted a women's lamb jacket with a rabbit fur collar, in a nearly identical brown to the bag to be reproduced, and with her agreement, I cut it up to use both the exterior and the lining, dismantling one of the pockets to put it back on the front.

🤫 It had to be done secretly, it was very fun!
I couldn't call her on the phone because her husband was there, and he also managed their shared email account… so we went through their daughter for exchanges of information and invoices.
She entrusted me with the bag for a few days for measurements, having prepared an excuse for her husband, then she came to pick it up at the workshop as if nothing was going on while I was still finishing the new bag.

Just before Christmas, it was ready and she came to pick it up.
She was delighted and thanked me, she even brought me a bag with fabrics she had kept for years, some really nice things... 🤫
I found this project really cool and the result is a bag outside gender stereotypes.

My husband has gotten used to his new bag and it suits him perfectly.
Thank you again for your creation.

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Your testimonials

Thanks to her good advice and professionalism, the result is stunning. I highly recommend her for all your textile transformations.

Fanny D.-D.

I’m hooked!!
Marie is incredibly attentive and professional.
You can entrust your memories to her without any worries.

Muriel C.

Go for it with confidence, let yourself be guided by your heart and Marie’s advice, you won’t regret it.

Nanouch I.

Common questions

"I’m afraid to cut into a sentimental fabric. What if I regret it?"

It’s natural to feel that hesitation. We work together to honor your story.
Each step is validated (photos, video call), and nothing is irreversible until you give the green light.

Do you offer support for a wedding, before, during or after the ceremony?

Yes, a wedding is a moment I can support at several stages.

Before or during the ceremony, we can create a fashion or décor piece carrying the presence of an absent or deceased parent, or matching pieces where each partner wears a little of the other's fabric. Afterwards, the dress or suit can become a bag, a wallet or, if you'd rather have something to display than to wear, a kinusaiga panel: the wedding fabrics take the shape of a wall piece, to keep on display in your home rather than folded away in a garment bag.

How much fabric do I need to provide?

It depends entirely on the piece you choose, but here are some concrete reference points:

  • Pocket mirror (Ocebo'): a 6×6 cm piece is enough;
  • Coin purse, wallet: roughly 20×20 cm to 40×30 cm depending on the model;
  • Clutch, compact crossbody: approximately 40×40 cm to 60×60 cm;
  • Medium-sized bag: from 50×80 cm upwards, depending on the silhouette;
  • Slippers (size EU 38): 21×60 cm for the low version, 55×92 cm for the ankle version;
  • Bomber jacket (size EU 38): 1.1 m × width (65 cm min) without sleeves, 2.2 m with.

A question I often hear about newborns: is a onesie or a small square of baby clothing enough? Yes, more than enough for a small piece (Ocebo', coin purse); for a larger bag, it's completed with a compatible fabric, always with your approval. There's also the Signature finish from the Essentials range, which makes it possible to use several small pieces together.
And of course, several fabrics can be combined too (the same person's clothes from different periods, or several siblings' garments, for example).

The good news: I also work with small pieces. If your fabric is on the tight side, certain finishes allow me to cut in free or geometric shapes and waste almost nothing. We work it out together during the discovery call, before any decisions are made.

And if you're not sure exactly how much fabric you have? Just take a photo, bring it to our first chat, and we'll figure out what's possible.

I have more questions

Let's talk!

For your custom projects only,
book a phone or video call (on Zoom) to discuss your fabrics, budget, schedule, and ideas.

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Photo of Marie Alhomme