Welcome to Where Ideas Come to Life.
This is my little corner of the studio where I share the journey behind Made by Nette. From new machines and creative ideas to sewing tips, leatherwork, and behind-the-scenes moments, you’ll find the stories behind the stitches and the inspiration behind the bags I create.
So pop the kettle on, get comfortable, and come along for the journey.
There’s something incredibly exciting about taking the next step in a business you’ve poured your heart into, and I’m so happy to share that my new Jack H2 industrial sewing machine will soon be arriving!
For those who know me, you’ll know I love learning new skills and constantly looking for ways to improve both my craftsmanship and the products I create. Every bag I make is carefully handcrafted, and I believe that investing in the right equipment is just as important as investing in quality materials.
Over the past few months I’ve been exploring leather work and pushing myself outside my comfort zone. I recently attended a leather bag-making retreat where I learned new techniques, worked with different materials, and discovered just how much I enjoy creating with leather.
That experience confirmed something I’d already been thinking about – it was time to upgrade.
The Jack H2 is designed to sew heavier materials with ease, making it ideal for leather, cork, canvas and other thicker fabrics. While my trusted sewing machine has served me incredibly well over the years, there comes a point where having a machine specifically designed for heavier work opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
This isn’t about making more bags quicker.
It’s about making even better bags.
The new machine will allow me to:
I’m particularly excited about combining beautiful fabrics with leather accents to create bags that are both practical and timeless.
I’ll admit I’m feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves.
An industrial machine is a big investment, and it’s quite different from the machines I’ve used before. There will definitely be a learning curve, but that’s all part of the journey. Every new skill I’ve learned has started with that same feeling of uncertainty before becoming something I couldn’t imagine being without.
I’m looking forward to sharing that journey with you—the successes, the inevitable mistakes, and everything I learn along the way.
Once the Jack H2 arrives, I’ll be sharing updates across my website and social media, including photos, videos, and my first projects using the new machine.
I can’t wait to show you what’s possible with this exciting addition to my sewing studio.
Every stitch tells a story, and I’m so glad you’re part of mine.
Until next time,
Nette x
Its been a while since I posted my last ramble but I’ve been busy making away and doing things in the background.
I made the decision not to make the small things like hair scrunchies etc as well simply I dont really enjoy the process of making the small quick things, I love making the bags!
So I’ve recently decided to narrow down my range to Bags, Wallets, Toiletry Bags and anything that goes with bags..plus the Memory Bears & Embroidery.
Hello August, Yes its August you read that right…
So what’s our plans for August.. After a week of not being able to really craft due to a bad back/hip I’m back in the Craft room with a renewed passion and inspiration.
The website has been a learning curve and due to not being able to craft I’ve been focusing on that and a lot of the changes have happened behind the scenes but they are having a good impact on traffic to our site.
1st new Item for August has been launched today. This is a Macrame Cat Collar, tested and modelled by my cat Smokey. He preferred the Green one, which matched his eyes but he maned up and modelled the Pink one too – totally under protest though!. The Pink one was made for my other cat Kira aka Demon but she’s never worn a collar and putting it on her was getting to be a life or death situation for me so I gave up and Smokey stepped up to the challenge.
The next product I’m making and testing is Jar Openers. These are perfect for those with weaker wrists and hands to help grip the jar lid when opening them. There’s 2 reasons behind wanting to make this product 1stly I need to use one and so does my Mum and 2ndly it helps use up some of the scrap fabric I have accumulated and begrudge throwing out.
There is also a couple of things made but in testing which is Macrame Bag Straps and Webbing Wristlets, as soon as these have finished the testing phase I’ll be adding them onto the site too.
I’ve also downloaded a new pattern for a bag but that’s for Septembers project, if I’ve time as I do have a few days of annual leave this month I may get round to making the prototype bag but I cant see it being launched till September.
Beth is creating more artwork mainly focusing on Artwork for Mugs so She’s keeping busy there.
I know its only August but I’m looking towards Autumn/Winter so I’m looking for Autumnal Coloured Chunky Wool so I can get knitting Bobble hats and scarfs. I’m already loving the cooler evenings cos if you know me you will already know I love a good poncho and I’m looking forward to getting my knitting machines out again.
So its busy and hopefully productive here at Made by Nette
August is a transitional month, it marks the end of summer and when Autumn sneaks up on us starting with the harvest. So its the perfect time to reap the rewards of all your hard work and if it doesn’t come to fruition then its the perfect time for you to lay down the foundations for next year.. Can you tell I really miss writing the monthly Horoscopes/Tarotscopes that I did for years and years.
How can it be July already never mind it nearly over! I seriously don’t know where the months or even the years go these days.
So whats been happening.. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the website. This seriously is a learning curve for me. The term I’m too old for this SH!T keeps escaping my mouth as I try to navigate through the technical side of a website. When I was at school you had to be invited to do Computer studies, yes I’m that old. Yes I have used computers and I’m quite good on Excel but websites, SEO, coding is a foreign language to me! so Thank God for Google and yes I’m older then Google too! I’d appreciate you feed back on it.
I’ve added a shop to the website and added more product lines to the shop. Macrame items and Embroidery items.
You can find lanyards and spiral keyfobs in Macrame and Golf Towels in Embroidery Items and I am still working on more things.
So what’s to come in August … I need to work on setting up a newsletter, this is a work in progress at the moment but I hope to resolve it soon. As then I can keep people up-to date with new products and offer discount codes. I am working on some more Macrame Items like pet collars and some other sewing items like easy grip jar openers and hair scrunchies. I’m also working on added more ready made bags to the shop. So August will be busy working on those.
Ready Made Items for my shop – Its really strange to be saying this but I have some ready made Items listed in my shop on Folksy.
When I started making my bags I was focusing on bespoke and customised bags, making bags to customers specifications and to order.
So why am I making some ready made bags…. well I’ve come to realise that not everyone is able to design their own bags. Some people have set ideas of what they want their bags to look like and these people are best with ordering a bespoke bag. Then there are others who like something when they see it but if you actually asked them what they wanted they struggle making the decision and really can’t narrow it down .. by the way I personally fall into this category.
So I’m going to be working my way through my patterns and adding bags to the shop. I have encountered a problem which is me wanting to keep the bags as I really like them but I can’t as I have way too many already!
I’ve also added items like Keyfobs and Reusable Makeup wipes to the Shop as these are good small items that are perfect for gifts.
So why not pop over to my folksy shop and take a look at what I’ve listed so far…
I finally made my Memory Bear – Its been nearly a year since my dad passed away and I’ve been so focused on ensuring that I made Bags, Bears Purses, Keyfobs for the rest of the family an planning my wedding that I just kept putting it off till the time was right.
It was Fathers Day last Sunday and I woke up feeling emotionally which is understanding as its the first one without him, but I also woke with the feeling that it was the right time to make my bear.
So I popped on his favourite play list and I sat and made my Bear and he is gorgeous! I choose the Mamie Bear I’d never used this pattern before and I’m so happy how he turned out. Dad had blue eyes so of course I used Blue eyes, I used various pieces of denim that I had left from his Jeans. I embroidered Pops on his chest as thats what I called him. Then as I used the Mamie Bear I was able to embroider on the soles of his feet, theres his dates and his favourite song Forever in Blue Jeans.
So he is now sat in my living room next to Pop’s Photo.
Oooo look New Fabric – I just love new fabric day. Sometimes I totally forget what I’ve ordered so its a surprise for me.
This Fabric will be for an Extra Large Beach Bag. Its not an order its to go in my Folksy Shop..
I’ll be making it over the next week so watch this space..
Welcome to our Blog – I’ve been wanting to create a blog for a long time and I have actually started one a few times. I’d create a post and then I delete it, this is due to fear, that everyone will think I’m boring. But the truth is, I am boring!
I miss the days when I used to write for a Magazine, I used to write Horoscopes and I loved putting pen to paper (ok not quite, I type but you get my drift). I also used to automatic type, just to clear anything that was in my head, then I would delete the file. It was very therapeutic, but now my therapy is talking to Beth or my Husband, as I don’t think either listen to me anyway.
So here I am, creating this so that I can off load my craft ideas!
Lets see how it goes and if you are reading this then woohoo.. I didn’t delete it! yay me!
New Fabric – Just unpacking my new fabric and thread.. how fantastic are these.. I can’t wait to make something with them..
Saturday Sewing – Yesterday was a busy day and I enjoyed every moment.
The morning was spent cutting out a Pelican Tote using the new fabric from Oh Sew Crafty lets just call it Day of the Dead, such vibrant colours and Black faux leather. This style of bag is simple and elegant.
When I choose the Day of the Dead fabric I knew I just had to use my new tex45 varigated thread which I purchased from Little Stitcher Sews and what beautiful thread it is. I’ve not used Tex45 before but it just glided through the machine so I definatly will be buying more.
I’m very happy with the results even through it did take me way too long to sew but I loved doing it!
I thought it turned out well and it was claimed immediately, I never got a look in!
We have a new Logo – I’m slowly getting to grips with the technology and I’ve managed to create a new logo, what do you think?
