A friend of mine recently asked me if I had any words of advice for his daughter, who had just started using a sewing machine…..

First of all, I think the key to sewing (and many things in life) is to be patient. Rushing through things to get them done has never really served me well, and even if they turn out okay in the end, I haven’t been able to enjoy the process.

Always pay attention to what you’re doing when you’re cutting something out…. it’s just as easy to do a good job cutting as a bad job, but if you cut things out well, it will be much easier to put them together.

Make sure you have everything you need before starting on something…. it’s much easier to finish things that you don’t have to stop halfway through to go get something you forgot.

The stitch ripper is your friend, expect to use it periodically, sometimes with tears. Sewing can be frustrating, but picking something apart because you’ve made a mistake will sometimes teach you more than getting it right the first time: you will NEVER make that mistake again, because you will always remember taking it apart stitch by stitch.

Using the right kind of needles in your machine is important, and make sure they are sharp. Be sure your machine is threaded properly as well, as many problems arise from simply forgetting to thread the machine right, which leads to using the stitch ripper, which sometimes leads to tears. If you eliminate potential problems, it’s much smoother sailing, particularly when you’re just learning how to do something.

Finally, enjoy what you’re doing…. I think half the fun is the process, so try to enjoy everything as it happens. Don’t get too stressed about things, if it doesn’t work out, doesn’t fit or looks funny, the next one will be better, I promise. Learn from your mistakes, don’t be scared to ask questions along the way, and wear what you’ve made with pride. Hope that helps!! XO Janna

Hey Everyone!! I hope the weather is nice where you are…. it’s been really nice in Vancouver until today, it’s now pouring out, which means no more summertime distractions: it’s time to get serious around the studio!!

There’s lots of stuff to report, including a shout out to our Plate And Simple contest winner Lara in Hatboro PA!! Your bag will be arriving shortly. Congrats!!

If you’re currently jealous of Lara, not to worry, you can get your own new bag quick and easy, with our new spring/summer collection available online and at the following shops with recent orders either in shop or enroute:

In the Lower Mainland there’s new things to be found at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Riot, Tartooful and Karmavore. In Ottawa, a nice box of lovely things is headed to Adorit and for our friends in Victoria be sure to stop by Whirled Arts.

I’ll be sending more boxes out shortly, as well as starting work on items for fall…. let’s just say there will be plenty of things to do. See you in a bit!! XO Janna

Hey, it’s a beautiful day in Vancity, so I’m taking some pictures of the new bags I’ve made for Spring. I’ll post them soon, and hopefully get them into the webshop as well. Things are good, my tooth is out and I’m back to normal (yay!!) so I’m planning lots of stuff for the summer, including lots of open studio dates if you’re visiting from out of town. See you soon!! Janna

It’s definitely springtime here in Vancouver, which means it’s almost time for a new crop of Astrosatchel bags. I feel like I’ve been a bit slow coming out with them this season, but it was really hard to be creative when there were so many Olympic-sized distractions…. If it helps though, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s worth the wait. See you soon!! Janna

Vancouver is slowly recovering from hosting the hugest party ever…. and things are getting back to normal around the studio, or as normal as they ever are around here. I’ve been working on shiny and bright new things for spring, which is good because cherry blossoms and tulips are all over our beautiful city…. I’ll post some pictures shortly, I promise, but for now I’m heading out into the sunshine. See you soon!! Janna

Hey Everybody!! I’m back in Vancouver after a week’s rest in San Francisco, having seen and done it all: record shopping at Amoeba, cocktails at Bourbon and Branch and coffee at the North Beach outpost of Caffe Treistre. Plus hours of wandering aimlessly through the Mission and Fillmore neighbourhoods….. just what a girl needed!!

It’s good to be back in the studio though, I’m just going through the ton of email I got while I was away, so I’ll get back to you all soon, maybe after another cup of coffee!! XO Janna

I’m a big fan of going for it, no matter what the occasion. Right now, I’m going to San Francisco, no real itinerary, just the need to see and do new and exciting things for a bit. If you order anything online, I won’t be able to ship until I get back, at the beginning of February….. I’ll be just in time to see Vancouver go for it, when everyone will be in town for the Olympics….. More on that later, and see you soon!! xo Janna