featured artist…ginny weir
feedsack handbags and totes
our feedsack handbag and tote collection is a favorite category at napa farmhouse 1885™. our founder discovered the craftsperson through the mary jane’s farm farmgirl forum. she bought a bag..uses it all the time..and is constantly stopped on the street by strangers asking where they can purchase a bag for themselves. these bags totally deliver the napa farmhouse 1885™ look…hip, cool, eclectic, clean, simple, beautiful..and kinda groovy.
ginny weir creates amazingly cool carpetbagger style handbags and tote bags crafted from vintage feedsack bags. most bags are circa the 1920’s-1930’s, although we have one from 1912. these bags are meticulously handmade with terrific attention to detail. each bag is a one-of-a kind item based on the type of feedsack found. we will feature a few at a time on our site..but remember..there is only one of each so if you see one you like….snap it up!! they sell very fast….
excepts from an interview with ginny weir in small town living magazine.....
when did you find your first vintage feedsack?
i bought my first feedsack 8 or 9 years ago in an antique shop. it had a turkey on it and i have a pet turkey, so i was drawn to it. i brought it home and stuffed it with an old down comforter. the kids used it for lying on the floor to watch tv.
when was the idea to create lovely pursesand pillows launched?
when the quantity of feed sacks that i had accumulated out numbered the display space i had for them. you can only have so many pillows... i made a pillow first, and sold it to a lady in alaska. then i made a purse that is different from the styles i sell now. that was probably four years ago. i have since f ooled around with the patterns until i arrived at the carpetbag design, which was first made from kraft paper. i used it until it fell apart. now i have three different sizes that i cut from plastic stencil blanks, so they’re a little more sturdy. i just recently sold a carpetbagger to maryjane butters, of maryjane’s farm fame. she called me on the phone and was so kind and really encouraged me and gave me some great tips. that was a huge boost.
where do you find your inspiration for the feed sack purses?
i sort of let them tell me where to go. i have a lot of different kinds of feed sacks - some are better suited as totes than bags. the really pristine ones i like to make into pillows. like most people who like to sew, i have a large fabric stash and i really play around with different fabrics before i decide on which one to use as a lining for a purse, tote or pillow backing.
where was the oddest place that you have ever found a vintage feed sack?
in a toolbox at an auction.
who inspired you to begin creating sewn items?
my sweet little grandmother, who taught me at an early age to appreciate old things and to never be afraid to try something my own way. i was blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with her and she taught me a great deal and always encouraged my creativity. apparently i “didn’t get it from a gypsy,” as my great grandmother was a phenomenal seamstress.
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