We recently connected with Catherine Ames and have shared our conversation below.
Catherine, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
First I had to accept and believe that I am creative. When I started my bag making journey I was just looking for something to occupy my time in the winter months and rediscovered my love of sewing. I started making cloth tote bags with linings and the first few sold right away I realized I have a knack for matching fabrics and making unique bags. Now two years later I have been able to invest in higher quality fabrics and hardware. I follow many designers to see what is trending while also paying attention to what bags women are carrying. I designed my own bag pattern last year and the whole line sold in my local farmers market and church craft fair. I look for unique handles made from wood that stand out in fashion totes.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am in my second year of bag making now and I am working on my summer 2025 bags. These will include handbags and beach bags and I am hoping to add some cooler bags. Each bag is unique and I do not mass produce them. Each bag begins with a vision of summer days traveling, on the beach, boating or outdoor activities. I envision what type of bag would look great with each activity and try to think outside of the box with colors and patterns. My favorites for summer are orange, blue and green colors with nautical patterns. This summer I am going with wooden and rattan handles in different shades and shapes. I do not replicate bags so each customer knows their product is one of a kind.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The most important lesson I think is to listen to experts. Do not take shortcuts and ask questions. If you never sewed before take a class either in person or online. You also have to accept that not everything will come out perfect even experts make mistakes. My most used tool is my seam ripper and I often have to redo something until it meets my standards before I will show it. If it doesn’t meet my standards I will donate it to a program that provides things for the homeless population and I fill the bag with personal hygiene products for women. This had been met with great appreciation.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
In bag making there are many challenges so I think you need to be well rounded in improving areas your not strong in. For myself binding is something I struggle with. I watched many YouTube tutorials and still don’t feel I am great at it. My plan is to take a few classes at a quilt shop so I will learn hands on from experts in that and can also learn different skills in quilting. I would like to make quilted bags for the fall/winter season so both of those things are areas I need to improve in and I’m not afraid to ask for help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://0cbb88-47.myshopify.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katmandoodesigns?igsh=b244d3N3MGRqcHRj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/100093121320829I’m
Image Credits
Catherine Ames
PhotoRoom
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