How L.L. Bean Tote Bags Are Made

Cool video of how L.L. Bean totes are made:

Via All Plaidout.

Cacharel Totes

I’m not so much into fashion, but these new photos of the Cacharel collaboration with Liberty got me for two reasons. One, Liberty, which I love. (Viz.) And two? Guess:

They’re carrying tote bags! Check ‘em out. More info here. (Via clever nettle.)

Ragged Edge Totes

More totes made from old sailcloth, but these have a much more futuristic look.

See more at the Ragged Edge website.

44 Knots Totes

44 Knots makes totes out of old sails. Love the rugged, nautical look of these.

The octopus on this tote reminds me of the sign of a sushi restaurant (now gone) in Seattle’s International District:

Photo by Steve Mandich

See more of 44 Knotts’s totes here.

Tote Profile: Alice

Alice is a friend and fellow tote enthusiast. All told she has about a dozen; this first one is my favorite. It’s from Marblehead Handprints and it was her book bag in college. The color is rich and intense, and I love the way the canvas is so thick it can stand up on its own after years of frequent use:

I found a few nice beach rocks in the bottom:

Here’s a closeup of the label; there’s not much info online about Marblehead Handprints other than it was started in Marblehead, MA in the 70s by Molly Haley.

Other totes in her collection include this small Marimekko tote:

a yellow leather Furla tote:

straw tote:

new custom LL Bean tote:

beautiful black suede tote lined with red leather:

The red ribbon zipper pull was Alice’s personal addition to the bag:

Thanks to Alice for this tour of totes!

Beckel Canvas Totes

I was driving through Portland last Sunday when I spied a charming window display of white canvas totes, tents, and packs. The store, Beckel Canvas Products, was closed, but I took some photos through the windows. (Pardon the reflectiony images; it was a beautifully sunny day.) This tote, the “Handi Bag” was my favorite:

It’s made of thick canvas with bits of leather reinforcement. You can see another one back farther in the workshop here:

Other kit bags:

Store sign:

More stock farther back in the shop:

The window display also featured a stuffed raccoon working an antique sewing machine and a beaver peeking out of a miniature canvas outhouse (complete with crescent moon window!) while solving a crossword puzzle:

See all the rest of Beckel Canvas’ products here.

Fishscale Tote

What I Wore July 17, originally uploaded by Midwest Jess.

Tank Top & Panties Tote

[each WHITE] Exhibition 3/28, originally uploaded by TORAI DU MONDE.

Brilliant.

Woven Leather Tote

A nice woven leather tote.

Found it on Handbag Heaven.

Scabby Robot Totes

So Scabby Robot (I love that name! It’s both gross and funny all at once!) has some unusual deconstructed leather totes on Etsy that I really love. Here’s the L Wedge tote in red leather:

See the rest of Scabby Robot’s bagshere.