Materials I Use
At Fabric Creations by Lee, I love working with a range of fabrics that offer both durability and style. My go-to materials include Cotton, Linen, Denim, Velvet, and Sequins — each with its own unique charm. I also enjoy adding a personal touch to each piece with unique buttons, decorative beads, and custom embellishments that make every creation one-of-a-kind.
While I haven’t ventured into sewing leather just yet (aside from hand stitching my handbag strap back together after it came apart!), I do enjoy working with Pleather — a blend of plastic and leather. Pleather creates stunning, long-lasting items, though it’s important to note that it can’t be easily unpicked and restitched. Once a hole is made, it’s there to stay.
Cotton, Wool, and Linen are all great fabrics when it comes to temperature regulation. These breathable materials keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Linen, in particular, is a more time-consuming fabric to produce, but it’s incredibly tough and versatile. It’s often used for sheets, towels, tablecloths, and clothing — though it’s known to wrinkle easily, adding to its relaxed charm.
Velvet, on the other hand, is all about indulgence. Soft, comforting, and luxurious to the touch, it elevates any piece you create. Sequins bring a touch of sparkle and shine, letting your true personality dazzle.
Denim, of course, is the quintessential tough and reliable fabric. Whether it’s a shirt, jacket, jeans, shorts, or skirt, most of us own something made from denim. It’s a fabric that’s stood the test of time — I can still remember the vibrant hues from the 80s: orange, red, pink, lime green, black, white, and even that striking purple. Back then, denim was much thicker, too. These days, it’s harder to find that heavy-duty denim that was a staple for those classic, hard-wearing jeans.
Every item I create is infused with creativity and care, from the fabric choices to the addition of custom buttons and beads, ensuring each piece is as unique as you are. Whether you’re after something bold and playful or soft and understated, I’m here to help bring your vision to life.
Introducing – Retro Denim
Here is one example of how I turned a pair of well loved Denim Jeans into a bag.
Cutting the jeans just below the zip will keep the pockets intact and allow them to store items securely. The waistband and belt loops not only assist in keeping the structure of the bag, but you now have a dedicated place to clip your keys and tuck them into one of the pockets. The material from the legs of the jeans is used to make the Shoulder Strap and/or Handles. Lining with a hard wearing material will add character to your Jeans Bag.
By re-purposing your Jeans into a stylish bag, you are saving the environment and not adding to landfill.
