Bessie
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Our names are Michelle and Kate Gilmore and Bessie is an online store located in beautiful Rainbow Beach Queensland Australia. We combine contemporary fabrics and recycle vintage and retro fabrics linens and notions to create new and gorgeous bags homewares and gifts.
handmade vintage retro recycled upcycled salvaged reclaimed rescued……..
We recycle neglected fabrics buttons and fancywork to create beloved new treasures. So much so we started selling them only this year. We also enjoy beautiful contemporary fabrics’ so you will find those in our shop too.
Our creations
- handbags’ totes and purses for women and girls – so many designs and fabrics
- table runners
- zip pouches/ pencil cases
- vintage delicates wash bags
- custom made towels with babies names appliqued in retro and vintage fabric
- ready made and custom made products
Why Bessie?
My sewing teacher mum- Pat taught me to sew on my Grandmother Bessie’s singer. Both Kate and I are named after Bessie- so we felt it was the perfect name for our enterprise. I have always nurtured my fabric stash since making clothes for my Cindy doll in the 70’s. Op shopper specialist- Bessie has given me the excuse to flex the shopping muscles more and enjoy rescuing and recycling gorgeous fabrics.
Why are Bessie bags different?
Every one of our Bessie bags is unique with individual detailing. Each style of bag has been selected just for the fabric- some bags were designed around the reclaimed find (see our doily bag). We have invested much energy in finding patterns’ adapting patterns’ researching to find the perfect bags styles from vintage and contemporary fashion. Inspiration for Bessie designs continues to grow – filling our design board.
Each bag starts with handpicked fabric lining and notions (buttons zips buckles rings etc). Fabric zips’ buttons and handles are sourced from existing clothing’ fabric remnants discarded scraps and salvaged offcuts and it takes much effort and time to source the best materials. Most contain co-ordinated i-phone pockets key holders and are fully lined- with recycled or vintage finds.
Most of our fabric have been discovered locally around our beautiful region of the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay in Queensland. Other fabrics and buttons have travelled with me over the years. We have also been unable to resist purchasing material from the rich contemporary array available from both Australian and international designers.
Our philosophy
The Bessie philosophy is one of old values to maximise our limited resources’ recycling and giving new life and purpose to beautiful vintage fabrics’ doilies and linen. Nothing is wasted- many of the bags are generated from remnants and beautiful salvaged fabrics and vintage clothes. Our offcuts are used to create smaller children’s bags purses and zip pouches. Even tiny fabric scraps are used to personalise your Bessie Bag label or gift vouchers.
Visit our website and sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive the latest releases and new product information. We would love to hear from you – please let us know if you have any questions about our range and send feedback to hmgilmore@bigpond.com.
Michelle and Kate
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