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From Around the Shop: Spring Comes Slowly in Maine

February 29, 2012 11:11:00 AM EST

Spring Comes Slowly in Maine

It comes this time of year when we realize elsewhere crocus are probably starting appear as a part of spring.  Meanwhile, in Maine, we patiently wait a little longer before the purple harbingers peek from beneath the snow. We know March and April and some of May as Mudseason and the precursor to our beloved summer.

Around the shop during the winter months, we embarked on expeditions to the sail loft to comb through our extensive collection of the recycled sails. We spent quality time identifying the best pops of colors, such as tangerine, teal, lemon or purple to use as accents this season. Most sails are white so colored Dacron is rare.

pop on bottom

FRESH COLOR. Everyday life in Maine is colorful as evidenced by the pop of color on this fishing boat’s bottom. This season we will use rare colored Dacron, inspired by Maine summers.

 

summer satchel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BOLD GRAPHICS. Anyone can wear a chunky necklace or an oversized bangle. We capture the beauty in authentic maritime images. These silkscreened, uplifting torus-shaped chain links are straight from the working waterfront.

chain link tote

chain links on log

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Sea Bags, regardless of the temperature outside our seasonal excitement is heating up pending the release of our spring/summer line of products, all handcrafted from repurposed sailcloth.

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0 Comments | Posted in From Around the Shop By Jennifer DeChant

A View From Bow Street: Sailed Around the World, Recycled in Maine

February 8, 2012 10:34:07 AM EST

Character counts

At our Freeport store, I want to be sure that each person who visits is made aware of two important things: 1) all of our bags are made from recycled sailcloth – not canvas; and 2) all of our bags are made in Maine. Luff on 5

Sailed Around the World, Recycled in Maine. A close look around our store reveals special characteristics of retired sails that cannot be replicated in canvas –besides the fact that canvas becomes heavy when wet and is much slower to dry than Dacron.

Our store is full of subtle and unique features. Recently we have made quite a few bags designed with a bit of luff showing. The luff is the vertical edge of the sail, which runs alongside the mast. Luffing occurs when a sailing vessel moves too close into the wind and causes the sails to flap. The luff, a strong part of the sail, is a fuzzy fabric that feels like felt. Because we utilize as much of the used sail as possible, it is a treat to have a sail panel cut with the luff showing.

Tell tail of luckThe tell-tail (or tell-tale) is my favorite feature on some sails. It is a tiny dot that holds a “tail” of string or ribbon in place on a sail. Depending on the location on the sail, the flapping tail can mean different things. For example, it is my understanding that a spiraling tell-tail indicates incorrect airflow on that side of the sail. We think they are a sign of good luck and we make the effort to incorporate them in our bags when possible.

Logos have become status symbols on purses and totes. It is a little different for us at Sea Bags. Whenever possible and appropriate, we cut retired sails and even big drawstring bags that carry sails into panels that include the logo of the sail company. And that is as cool as it is authentic. 

Status logo

Not everyone notices these details. Some people question them. But these are subtle examples of Sea Bag’s authentic designs and commitment to repurposing sails when it comes to handcrafting style forward totes and accessories.

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0 Comments | Posted in A View From Bow Street By Jennifer DeChant

From Around the Shop: Introduction and Tour of Sail Loft

February 1, 2012 12:26:33 PM EST

Introduction to From Around the Shop: It is a Tanbark-thing!

shades of tanbark A recent trip to the sail loft above our “shop” on Custom House Wharf was quite revealing. Mysteriously the loft defies the law of physics that proves heat rises.  Behind a thick curtain and up the narrow staircase, there is an extensive collection of sails chilling like fine wine.

Despite the overwhelming appearance, I did notice an organizational system to the bounty of used sails stacked on industrial shelves. The rainbow spectrum of spinnaker material is along the right wall. On top of the billowing mounds of Dacron, there are rolls and rolls of criss-crossed Kevlar.

tanbark on bench

To the left where the afternoon sun pours through the window, I saw a pile of panels in hues ranging from rustic brick to the lighter shades of a faded picnic table. I had discovered (maybe not “discovered” but it was new to me) Tanbark in the sail loft.

The unique Tanbark color was achieved by submerging the sails in tannins which is a compound usually derived from tree bark. During the days of canvas sails, the process was used to protect the sails from rot, mold and mildew. Tanbark is a nostalgic color and a charming look that represents the essence of cruising under sail. 

tanbark duffle on shoulder

Now Dacron sails can be dyed this color. These panels in our loft were cut from retired sails used on large teaching vessels such as schooners or sloops.

Tanbark is not only aesthetically pleasing, but the color reduces glare, and the dye pigment offers improved UV protection over a natural shade. The finish is a medium firm with high quality weaves. The cloth is only available in the heaviest of weights so there isn’t much interest among modern racers/cruisers.

tanbark duffle carried

I am among the first to admit that Tanbark sailcloth makes a handsome and rugged bag. The reddish brown color reminds me of a rustic sunset and the look adds an historical affect to a modern material.

What aspects of life on Custom House Wharf or manufacturing at Sea Bags have you always wondered about?

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0 Comments | Posted in From Around the Shop By Jennifer DeChant

A View From Bow Street: Elmer Fudd Called And Wants His Hat Back

January 25, 2012 4:29:11 PM EST

Elmer Fudd called and he wants his hat back

From the window overlooking Bow Street, I have noticed that there is something going on with winter hats. We are witnessing a millinery trend that starts with Elmer Fudd and his hat. Since 1937 this eggheaded character has forgone fashion for the ability to untie the side flaps that protect his ears when hunting wabbits.

Wacky skiing hats are also popular on these streets of fashion. There is a love-hate following to these hats with spikes or wiry projectiles expressing the reckless abandonment and “look at me” attitude that allegedly one gets from downhill skiing.

Now the third element of my winter hat evolution hasn’t appeared in Freeport –yet- but has had an impact nevertheless: the Fascinator of the royal wedding of 2011. Remember the sudden fascination with these ridiculously fabulous Fascinator hats?

It is my belief that elements of Elmer Fudd, skiing, and Fascinators have combined to create the look that is now known as the mad bomber hat. Children are cute in the critter versions with little ears on the top and colored pom-poms on the end of the elongated earflap strings. On a retail website, the blonde model looks good wearing a silver metallic quilted version with “polyester satin lining and faux fur trim…Snap tab secures under chin.”

Other than these two examples, it is my observation that few people look good in this type of hat. But then perhaps, in the tradition of Elmer Fudd, appearance is no longer relevant. Could it be that style has been overruled by the practicality of keeping your ears warm?

I don’t think so either. It is about individual style. Even in muted colors these bomber hats are bold and demand attention. These hats are fun loving and whimsical. Looking good may not be a top priority, but the pay off is another form of creative expression. And let us not forget the well-earned head of hat hair once the millinery oddity is removed.

Forget the earmuffs and never mind head wraps. Now is the time to embrace winter freedom and let the flaps fall as the may as we marshal forward with warm ears. And, above all, this is a good way to guarantee that you won’t take yourself too seriously!

If interested, here is an instructional video on making your own bomber hat.

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0 Comments | Posted in A View From Bow Street By Jennifer DeChant

A View from Bow Street: Can't We All Just Get Along?

January 18, 2012 10:52:38 AM EST

Can't We All Just Get Along?

A kind looking woman visited the store recently. She immediately identified herself as a boater and took interest in our vast selection of totes. I explained how easy it is to have a clasp added to the tote of her choice or how we could make a bag with a zipper if that was her preference.

We talked about our shared loved of pockets. And agreed that pockets are like closets, you can never have too

many of them. I showed her our “baby bag” style of tote with six pockets and metal clasp.

Suddenly the conversation turned quiet. After a pregnant pause, she asked if I had a bag with powerboats on it instead of the primary colored tiny sailboats that decorated the bag we were admiring seconds ago.

This was the first time I became aware of the Hatfields/McCoys aquatic feud between power boaters and sail boaters. She admitted, “I could not possibly carry a bag with a sailboat on it.”

The change in the woman’s demeanor and her adamant refusal of a sailboat image made me curious about the origin of her attitude. With a little informal research, I found that boaters do favor either one type or the other and often hold some perceptions (valid or not) about the “Other.” It is rare to find a person like myself –referred to as bi-boaters or transvesselites*- with “oars” in both boating worlds.

It comes down to a matter of personal preference on what type of experience is sought after leaving the dock. Powerboats with shallower drafts provide greater access to shallower water and can get closer to the beach. Whereas, sailboats -relying primarily on harnessing the wind - can offer an unlimited range of quiet travel. There is no wrong answer. I would not refuse either.

Anyway, the woman decided to customize her own version of the pocketed “baby bag”. We agreed that a durable, domestically manufactured bag made from recycled sailcloth with an overt nod to nautical lifestyle is the best accessory of all – no matter what type of boating experience you prefer.

*For more on the differences, read: http://www.liveaboardliving.com/power-vs-sail.htm

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