Joan Hemm began working with the fabrics found in thrift-store draperies, duvet covers, tablecloths, and sheets in high school where there was no budget for costumes for the drama department’s productions. We first met Joan at a Boulder County Farmer’s Market, where she was dressed in a wonderful period costume portraying Susan B. Anthony in honor of Women’s Suffrage, and armed with voter registration forms. She had, of course, made her costume from remnants.
Fashioned from top quality ‘designer’ home decor fabric remnants (small new, unused leftovers), Joan reimagines the fabrics into one-of-a kind crossbody bags for us. She designed her pattern based on features she personally wanted: a “gusset” to create a roomier interior, a pocket on the back for a cell phone, inside pockets, cotton linings, and an adjustable strap. Just what we all wanted! And this year she has made laptop carrying bags, too!