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Pony Express Bag, Stagecoach Bag, Mary Poppins Bag, Carpet Bag, Gladstone Bag, Doctor’s Bag, Satchel, Knitting Bag, Train Bag, Diaper Bag, Attorney’s Bag, City Bag, Teacher’s Bag, Nurse’s Bag, Magician’s Bag, Sample Bag, Gym Bag...the uses are endless!

 

 

Coming from a family that passed their quilts on to the next generation, it didn't take long to see the relationship between art, creativity and good craftsmanship. With those elements established,

the foundation had been built.
 
Fast forward to 1999, Elaine finds herself watching a Civil War Re-enactment where she immediately

focused on the beautiful costumes. As she studied the costumes she noticed the  absence of stagecoach bags/carpetbags among the re-enactors. Being a strong believer in utilitarian art, she viewed the stagecoach bag as a beautiful piece of art needing to be reinvented to fit into modern society. A fabric suitcase. A collapsible briefcase. Even a bag that would open itself!

 

Her course was set, she knew that making the stagecoach bag beautiful was easy,

but making it a functioning member of society was not!

 

It took almost a year of research to determine what these bags looked like in the

1860's! First the fabric…since we are based in North Carolina finding gorgeous

high end fabrics was no problem. (We are the furniture capital, which is where our

tapestry and upholstery fabrics was found). With so many high end fabrics nearby,

making the stagecoach bag (carpet bag) beautiful was easy, but making it a

functioning member of society was not! 

 

Onto the replication of doctor's bag hardware that was used in the 1800's. To update the bag for functionality I decided to use the spring loaded, steel frame variety, enabling the bag to spring open. So, another year passed while perfecting the design and construction. The outcome was a lined bag with large interior pockets, a brass buckle, rivets & studs to protect the bottom. What a beautiful bag it was, but I just knew I could be more creative and I was right! With the help of a local leather saddlery company each bag sports the softest (glove leather) rope handles and English Bridle leather strap, tongue and buckle.

 

With these finishing touches my carpetbag was now not only updated and functional, but truly a work of art using the highest quality materials. Every detail of this bag has been examined and re-examined. As an example, the bottom of this bag has a hardboard insert enclosed within the tapestry. No one will ever see this insert but I rounded the corners of each insert so the bag will not wear in the corners.  The materials and workmanship are guaranteed!