Happy Christmas!

@Nik awww! Name, age, where are you? My sample would probably fit. May I present Ziggy, the Jack Russell terrorist in a 21oz RE:LOVE coat…

@sophisto000 it is indeed a bar tack machine, but that’s not all! It converts from bar tacker to a pre-programmed and a bespoke programmable stitcher. It’s rather fabulous and I’ll be showing more of what it can do over the coming weeks.

The other machine is a 5-thread overlocker, which we’ve set up to match Iron Heart’s machines in Japan as closely as possible. More to come on that too, but in the meantime here are some bar tacks for you

Today we took charge of a beautiful second hand Kansai Special belt loop maker. It has been fitted with a folder and needle gauge, adapted to match IH jeans as closely as possible. Not only can we run strips of belt loops for repairs, but I will be creating RE:LOVE products such as key rings, wristlets, camera straps, lanyards, dog leads, cat collars, coiled coasters, bag and hat straps/loops, weaving +++ Endless ideas.

Worn denim gives a gorgeous range of tones and fades, while unworn denim is super smart and crisp. So, when it comes to belt loops, the world’s now our oyster ️

Picture shows results of worn denim passing through and some unworn denim ready to pass through. I’ll post videos as I go.

You always know when @JoshC is in the house -
the Union Special special ‘special rings & tings’ holder is in full use…

More coasters coming soon

Work In Progress: The Relove large tote bag coming soon!

AKA The Winyl bag. Deep enough to carry wine, wide enough to carry vinyls - thanks @Ross @SamD for the size and bag name input.

And thanks to the team for helping me gauge strap size this morning - you’re such cards x

70cm is what I can get out of an average recycled leg and it seems to fit all the chaps perfectly - both over the shoulder and, when the straps are held in hand with arms extended downwards, the bag doesn’t drag on the ground.

We’re 5’3”-6’3” of very varying chest measurements and modelling abilities

What do you think - would 70cm straps work for you?

Would love you to be part of the process. So, join me here to see how the bag develops.

PS: There are some seriously fabulous pieces of denim I have to work with

@Mizmazzle well, firstly, my husband’s one of them Steve then introduced me many years ago to Alex, Giles and Paula. What can I say - I simply fell in love with them, the brand, the business, the crew. And now a golden opportunity has arisen to develop my love of fabrics, sewing and new techniques. Hope you follow me as we develop RE:LOVE products embellished with IH art, sashiko…maybe even tattooing textiles.
With regards to my previous sewing, a post has just come up on Insta of one of my coats. This coat has a range of detachable collars and cuffs to dress it up or down. I love creating multi purpose and/or recycled products…can’t wait to show you what we’re doing!

@Oaktavia the thanks are all mine I love this community and having the chance to salvage such beautiful fabric! As a teaser, this is my current pov, more to come on the Relove thread ️

Coasters will be available v soon.

Three colour options this time - indigo, black/black od and blue blue.

Some of the backs also incorporate features from the original garments from which they were harvested eg pockets, seams.

My favourite - this really worn, faded indigo coaster with paint smudges

@jthomz with regards to timing, I’ve made a couple of samples of each which are being QC’d next week. Then it will take a couple of weeks to make the rest of this first batch and to then photograph and get them on the website.

With regards to shipping, these bags will be more than USD200 each, so will qualify for free shipping.

Hope you like them! - I’ll see if we can get some good quality video made so you can see how fab these are, as my pics don’t do them, or the amount of work done, any justice ️

@Oaktavia ️

@Bridger something like the, soon to be released, Winyl bag perhaps?

A bag wide enough to carry vinyl. Deep enough to carry wine. We’re all over it!

Whilst the Swatch bag is made of new denim offcuts. The Winyl bag is pure Reloved denim in all it’s scarred and faded glory.

Jeans that have been thrashed, but we have salvaged, and repaired, decent enough pieces to create these new large totes.

Here’s a quick taster of a couple of them…

FYI we currently only have enough fabric to make five of these beauties. I imagine they’ll be on sale, with five Swatch bags, in the next few weeks.

Spot the swatch – a new bag is in the making!

Meet the Swatch Bag – the latest addition to our soon-to-drop mini collection.

Each one is built from offcuts donated by those of you who ticked the “Relove Offcuts” box at checkout. We’ve been busy unpicking, slicing, dicing, and hammering these scraps of denim into something fresh: a handful of multi-weight, multi-textured bags.

The linings? That’s where it gets even better. We’re using the very best pieces of old, unsellable shirts and IH sample fabrics. No two bags will ever be the same, and with such a limited stash of IH fabrics, these will be made in very small numbers.

This fabric is too good to waste. If you don’t use your offcuts, please tick the box to Relove them – together we’ll keep IH textiles alive.

Next up on the cutting table is a mix of black SBG and non fade denim. Can’t wait to see how these bags fade, wear, and carry their stories over time

@Steve bring back modesty boards on desks!
At least the knee pads and vest aren’t completing the ensemble…yet

@Ikeaparty @giles will testify to this being a great fishing hat - it’s based on one I made him for that very purpose!

@Tago-Mago I’m sure I’m taller than some of those named…

@Aetas I love multi- handle/purpose bags, thank you.

My main constraint is having enough fabric. The straps are already hungry at 70cm x 10cm a piece - that’s the bulk of one side of a leg. I’d struggle to find more fabric for more handles at the moment I’m afraid.

The other consideration is that I want to add two copper snaps to the top band which would be where the extra handles would be placed. The snaps wouldn’t then cope with so many layers of fabric.

I love this bag, see pic, which has a neatly concealed smaller set of handles too - and pockets. And have looked at ways of incorporating this into the design, along with considering adjustable sliders etc, but the thickness of all the heavyweight fabric is too much.

However! I’m also working on lighter weight 14oz bags, that are a more average tote bag size. This is where the extra handles could work - stay tuned!

@Matt I was just doing a quick conversion as you were replying We’re in the right ball park then.
I’m 5’4” and can carry it without dragging it on the ground. So let’s say we won’t go any longer than 70cm.

Beautiful fabrics. I only have enough to make 5 of these at the moment. So, if anyone has any jeans at home they’re not wearing then please consider Reloving them

Smaller bags to follow.

@Matt so true - I think looking at how my Relove muses wore it so well this morning that we could have a good option in 70cm.
If you have a bag you love, do let me know strap length