Thank you Aunty Hazel!

On a recent visit down south, my sister handed me a Tim Tam box. Kids were deflated when they found out it wasn't full of chocolate, but it was Christmas for me!

Thank you, thank you Natalie and Miles' Aunty Hazel . Just look at the vintage goodness I was given:

 All acrylics except the green floral above. The ones below are more evening fabrics and will make great linings and clutches.

 And the buttons were a delight!

Better than an op shop find because it was so unexpected! Am looking forward to seeing them made up.

Pastels are for big girls too!

New towel: present for a new baby girl. Pink broderie anglaise applique.



New patchwork tote. Old and New fabrics called Big girls like pastels too. I considered selling it before it was made, but when Kate loved it too, I realised we had to have it. It will be mother - daughter shared.



Salvaged wooden rings from an op shop. Bias trim is brand new.



Corduroy sides and handles -my recycled cord jeans that I wore to bits. I love it that I can still wear it.



Old and new - salvaged embroidery, contemporary floral prints, plains from my stash and a gorgeous vintage "midcentury" pastel plastered tablecloth.



Kate plans to use it as an overnighter (It's big) and it will be perfect for work and play for me ;).

Vintage barkcloth salvaged for modern living

One of my favourite fabrics - vintage barkcloth rescued from an op shop - all torn up ready for rags. This Kokeshi bag has been reinforced with firm interfacing and lined with a repurposed calico curtain.

I love these vintage buttons as well. Probably older than the fabric itself! You can see the texture of the barkcloth from the cloe up photo below. How could someone dreamed of using it for cleaning!

I already own a Marbella (hobo style) bag made from this fabric, but I am glad I still have a few salvaged pieces left - it makes such a vibrant tote.

Discovered this beautiful gaudy barkcloth pillowcase this week. In such good condition......
I am not sure I can part with it. Perhaps I will pop in a pillow and just admire it for a while, and consider which style of bag to use.

I wonder what year it was created?

I am tickled that I found it in an opshop all forlorn. Much more fun and less pricey, as it's vibrancy would have snapped up by a dealer.

Hand-me-down vintage

I love this word. Here are some of the enduring beauties I have received:.

Visiting markets recently, we discovered a pillow or two full of vintage brooches. Some huge, or gaudy, others sweet and refined. These two I inherited. Besides the florals, they are both so different. I would love to learn more about them. Meanwhile I just wear and enjoy them.

My grandma (Bessie's) I think? We still wear it, Kate loves aprons. Occasionally I come across an op shop beauty- generally worn and loved, but always in a fabulously vintage fabric.

This basket is very special because my Pop made it. I am unsure of it's age - but I see it and use it every morning and night. Handmade, it is so strong and durable. It keeps reinventing itself to give me a new purpose every few years. Pop's shed had it own smell about it. Retired from the farm, fixed tennis racquets, was very handy with wood, was way ahead with edible landscapes and I guess he weaved as well!

Thrifted vintage floral extravaganza

Latest thrift finds from local op shops. This happy navy, red and white floral is cotton based yet has distinctive lines in the fabric weave reminiscent of older times.

There was plenty of yardage in this material- so the options are limitless for the use. It has to be a bag, and then we'll see about the leftovers.

I love the colours in this pretty cotton paisley. A lucky score.

Lastly, spots and florals in polyester. I am looking forward to see what becomes of this and what other fabrics it is teamed with. The pile of fabrics keeps growing....time to sew.

Enter A $100AU Prize Draw To Win Handmade Vintage Fabric Bags And Homewares

Thanks for checking out our brand new blog page Thrift Recycle Handmade. Now is your last chance for our special offer – to enter our free eco-friendly $100 Bessie prize pack draw. Just comment below, on our Bessie website, or like/comment on the Bessie facebook page. We’ll add an extra entry for each!


We promised that for the prize we’d include a special new release handmade item – great for the environment for two reasons and you will be the first to have one. The first reason is like many of our other products, it is made of recycled and vintage fabric and notions. Secondly, if you use it – you will help save the planet. It is a set of three brand new Bessie produce bags.

What are produce bags? Perhaps you have heard it called something else. Simply, instead of your fruit and vege going into a plastic bag in the produce section of your supermarket or from the markets, you can use a lightweight, reusable fabric drawstring bag. You can even wash them every few weeks if you need to.
Sustainable living has seen us ditch our plastic bags at the checkout for reusable grocery bags. You can go one step further to reduce your plastic bag consumption with our produce bags.

If you check out recent blogs or our Bessie website you will know that we have loads of fabric to choose from and for a short time will we will custom make your orders.

Inject some flair into your shopping, and salvage some of our precious resources for our planet. Naturally, they are perfect for vintage and retro lovers.

The prize includes postage, other Bessie homewares and bags that will lift your spirits every day. We would love to hear your comments. Like or subscribe away as the more you do the more chance you have to win our $100AU prize pack.

Learn more about our selection of vintage and retro fabric available. Or have a look at our articles where you can find out all about recycling vintage fabrics and what it can do for you.

More retro and vintage for my fabric stash

Reading other thrifter's blogs, and hearing the physical sensations of delight when they find a fabric they adore - makes me realise I am not alone! I'm not sure if my heart skips a beat or if it simply gets faster...but it was certainly activated when I found this little haul for my stash! All from the one op shop.

Florals and more. The sprigged cotton looks Australian - I would love to know.

Even though this pink floral was on an acrylic/polyester I had to snatch it up. The floral below was a much more durable fabric.

Above this contemporary shirting will be perfect lining some of my black bags. It's great fun mixing old and new.

The blue and white material below could be upholestery fabric- I have earmarked it for a clutch.

Love, love gingham and am always happy to find it secondhand. I love it with florals and spots....

Retro below: last week when I bought this fabric, I walked into a public toilet tiles in exactly the same 70's shades with similar pattern. I'm still not sure what it to become of it.

Best for last. For me, anyway. Another polyester - I couldn't help it- despite our hot hot summers. It will drape beautifully- I am picturing what style of top it will become. Perhaps a bag or two as there is plenty of length.

Time to sew if only to make room in my cupboard for this lot.

Vintage fabric haul

It didn't last long. The thought that I should stop my thrifting for fabric!
I was very happy last week bringing these home....

The op shops were good to me last week. I loved this bright floral- made up into an apron. My vintage apron collection is growing!

A small tablecloth...

Especially chuffed with the bold floral fabric above- I know it will make up beautifully into a large bag. Then I found some more modern patterns..

Lastly, some big buttons. Small buttons are in all the op shops- they are easy to find. It is particularly rewarding to find buttons large enough to suit our handles or designs. My shopping should be satisfied for a while, school holidays will keep me too busy to thrift.  I did spend a few joyous hours sewing gifts last week. Perhaps we'll put a few more items together to add to the store.

Retro fabric finds

First published April 12, 2010
Here is a sneak peak at the latest bags under construction...2 shabby chic in gorgeous salvaged vintage with grosgrain ribbon and 2 sweet princess designs in contemporary butterflies and embroidered gingham........

Plus some of our latest retro and vintage fabric finds, mostly sourced from op shops. Some are durable furnishing fabric remnants, table linen or part of someone's unwanted stash. 

We hit the beach every day last week, but did find time to update the website. It now has a direct link to our Etsy store and more detailed photos of bags.  Select like on facebook Bessievintageandretrobags page and as a join our members to the website for latest releases.

Our first Mother's Day order for a custom made bag has already come in- a personalised option to suprise your mum or mum in law this year. With school back tomorrow... we are looking forward to building up our stock again ready for Mother's day. Meanwhile, these reclaimed fabrics are ready for transformation, and hopefully you'll soon see them as bags in our store!