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

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

Ears for years…

@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!

On the bench today, a glorious new Swatch bag combo
![IMG_2366.jpeg](

@Chap thank you for the pics! That’s like a photo shoot - perfect, beautiful 🩵

I’m making a few more, so any feedback gratefully received!

@Go-For-Chill I’d like the gold camera please!

@Chap thrilled you like the bag (and coaster!) and gifted it to your wife! Do post a pic if you can

@Chap a perfect match! Enjoy ️

When things go wrong…

Our Kansai Special belt loop machine is designed for perfect, fresh, stiff sheets of denim – the kind cut in long lengths for production lines. But when it comes to recycling, we’re not working with neat rolls of fabric… we’re working with worn, wibbly jeans that have already lived a life.

To make Reloved belt loop, we cut 32mm strips to feed into a 30mm folder – just enough bite for the feeders to grab, and just enough width to pass through without jamming…well, that’s the theory

Since jeans don’t come in metres of length, we stitch together as many smaller strips as we can. To stop it all bunching up, each piece is carved and trimmed to create a ‘smooth’ 10mm bridge – just enough to trick the machine into thinking it’s still sewing one clean sheet. We add a 10cm x 1cm “tail” – an offcut from hemming – to guide the first piece through the cutter, folder, and stitch feed. It’s the best way to minimise waste and make the most of every inch.

Of course, the Kansai wasn’t built for denim with memories. Even after ironing and hammering flat, these old pieces like to remind you they were once a knee or a thigh. They twist, shift and stretch when you least expect it – it’s particularly galling when it’s right at the start.

As you can see, every day’s a small battle and a big lesson. And I wouldn’t have it any other way ️

@will6er it is easy when everything goes to plan and the video’s edited - I’ve not posted when it got all caught up at the end, or the threading and rethreading, or the cussing etc etc

@AdamC

@jimcasey thank you for posting! It’s a thrill to see you wearing it. Looks like it was made for you

More in the making, this time darker…

@Chap 🩵