People have been using the words “tote bags” since right around the 1900’s claims our pals over at Merriam Webster. It’s defined as “a large, two-handled, open-topped bag”. “A large bag used to carry things.” That certainly speaks to the form and function doesn’t it. I’ve taken it a couple steps further with my sail bags. I’ve incorporated various pockets, sturdy zippers and drawstrings into my designs…as well as a bit of the sail legacy stitched inside each one. I guarantee that I use only retired sailboat sails to create each of my bags. These sails still have a lot of life left in them and I value keeping material out of the waste-stream.
I’ve been told that a good tote bag should…
be lightweight,
have comfortable and strong straps,
be washable,
have pockets,
have the ability to close it up,
be eco-friendly,
have a great story stitched inside! (okay, no one told me that – I figured that out on my own!)
Enjoy finding the perfect bag for your needs and know that each one was hand-made by me in Maine. If you find a bag with a sail number, letter or graphic on it or a piece of hardware, know that it was somewhere on a sail I deconstructed. I’m a bit of a purist that way.