About Us

About Big Bag Maker

Sewing has been part of my life since before I can remember. My twin sister and I learned to sew from our mother when we were under ten years old. She'd let us use her Singer hand-cranked sewing machine — I haphazardly made a dress for my doll, but it was a make, and that's what counted!

In our culture, being able to "turn your hand" — to cook, clean, sew, and create — is something everyone learns, regardless of gender. That spirit of self-reliance and creativity has stayed with me ever since.

We did sewing at school too, though I wasn't exactly inspired by the horrid taupe fabric of the pencil skirt we were given — and there was absolutely no chance our mother was letting us wear a skirt with a split in the back unless it was for a performance! (We did dancing and all sorts.)

From the West Midlands to London

In 1994, I moved from the West Midlands to London, and years later, settled in southeast London. I enrolled in evening classes at college, and my tutor encouraged me to apply for a City & Guilds course at university in east London — so off I went. After that, one look at the exorbitant price of cushions and curtains in a department store put me off interior sewing entirely! Instead, I taught myself to knit and crochet, and started making accessories to sell at markets.

Lockdown & a Rediscovery

When COVID hit, and the first lockdown began, I wanted to make face masks — to protect myself and others, even though I was medically exempt. The only problem was I no longer had a sewing machine.

So I started watching YouTube (I don't own a television), gathered some fabric, and hand-stitched colourful face masks with washable filters. A friend then asked me to help cut squares for lavender bags — but I knew I'd need a machine to sew them properly.

I sold a hand-crocheted shawl, headed to Lidl, and bought a Singer. A few weeks later, I upgraded to a Brother machine from a local sewing shop — and I fell completely in love with sewing again.

The Birth of Big Bag Maker

I began buying fabric remnants from a local woman at the market who made African clothing, and used them to create face masks with matching pouches, which I sold in local shops. From there, I moved into handbags, specialising in African Ankara and Dutch Wax fabrics sourced from dressmaking remnants and pre-loved clothing.

In 2021, I officially launched as a small business. I hand-draft all my own patterns — many from memory or a picture in my head — and now make a growing range of: reusable accessories, baby and children's apparel, travel accessories, interior accessories, and reusable wellness products.

Low Waste & Inclusivity

Low waste is at the heart of everything I do. Any remnants are transformed into lavender bags, key rings, lanyards, hair scrunchies, headbands, card holders, bunting, and reusable unpaper towels — including crocheted organic cotton face scrubbies and coasters. Nothing goes to waste.

Inclusivity matters deeply to me too. Everything I make is gender-inclusive, because colour, pattern, and design are for everyone.

Our Fabrics

Alongside African and Caribbean fabrics, I also work with pre-loved clothing and fabrics from Liberty, William Morris, the V&A Collection, Kaffe Fassett, Tula Pink, Alexander Henry, Tilda, Higgs & Higgs, Riley Blake, and more. You might spot a flash of these in one of my pieces — a little surprise in every stitch.

Thank you so much for reading, and happy shopping!

Marcia Hamilton