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

Process shots:
The latest Winyl bags are nearly ready. One wabash and one 1955. Just hanging around waiting for snaps, before they join the rest of their posse to be prepped for sale.
I’ve loved making these.
They are mahoosive! Wide enough for vinyl, deep enough for wine

Tool roll update.
Following everyone’s input, here’s a first draft.

45x25cm flat size noted. We can get near this depending on what jeans we have - this finished size is 43x24cm.

Pocket sizes noted. We have 2x 9cm, 3x 3cm, , 2x 5cm and 1x 4cm on this option. I’ve not sewn them down yet in case you have further thoughts. Pocket depth is 11cm.

Tied with a belt loop.
Final product will all be finished off properly, so ignore loose ends for now

This is a 25oz denim, as I don’t have anything lighter atm.

Thoughts?

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.

More coasters coming soon

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

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

Blink and you’ll miss it! Grateful for my cosy home ‘studio’. Here’s a tour of it Currently prepping bags, coasters, keyrings, hats. The bags contain 2/3/4” indigo/black/duck offcuts for swatch bags; and strips of denim to be transformed into belt loop.

@Shane-B superb - can’t wait!

@Tyler oooh interesting, underwater hockey - pics please!

First job of the day was for Mr Moon - how apt

One step closer to launch.
Currently screen printing The Dude artwork onto the Japanese indigo loop wheel lounge trouser pocket bags.
Final press, then off to be photographed this week.
Aiming to release next week

@oblivion.sila thank you!

You may be interested in following roughcutofficial on insta and online https://roughcutpatterns.com/
He’s created a batch of workwear patterns and teaches you how to sew them. Nothing new in that, but what is great is the WhatsApp group he’s created to support this, where you can get advice from starting out to more advanced adaptations and your own designs. It’s become a real community. Recommend having a look.

These bags can also be produced from your own jeans and shirts. So if you have anything that is too worn for our Relove scheme and/or a decimated shirt or Tshirt DM me and we’ll see what we can create.

This Solo bag is lined with an old heavy weight t shirt - and looks as great used inside out.

I’ve been looking at things to make from smaller hemming offcuts. Liking how the Swatch bag works, I’ve used our thinner strips to make a small-medium size cushion. This fits a 30x50cm cushion.

Just getting your feedback for preferred cushion sizes/colourways etc. Options going forwards could be a plain indigo/black/duck; a mix of worn faded indigos; mix of denim colours/splash of wabash; chino/whipcord. Smaller size cushions only.

This is a pillowcase type cushion cover which may have copper snaps on the back - or front if you want to face it that way. I’m just working on that.

Small Relove cushions - yes/no?

@MM I’ve had a look at making kilties, but I don’t think it’s something we will progress atm. I’d need a dye and press to make these neat enough and looking at the Wesco ones, which are so cheap, it wouldn’t make financial sense for us to invest in tools for this. Love the idea of upgrading and personalising a ready made one though
Please keep the ideas coming - and your jeans, shirts and offcuts!

@labrat love a leather cord! I don’t have a very much long enough leather that I could cut a cord from. And, of course, I don’t buy things in, as this project is to only use what we have spare, but I will keep an eye out. Perhaps some old leather laces or the paracord we use might come up too

Oh, just had a thought that I may be able to spiral cut a small piece of buck to make a cord…I’ll be back…