Fresh batch of Lovehandles!

Currently under the presser feet of our machines are 26 new Lovehandles, which have between 55% and 88% recycled content.  Given that we often have two products which are visually similar yet have a different percentage rate of recycled content, I thought now would be a good time to explain the difference between the two!

Obviously the recycled content differs, but how could this be when they are visually similar?  Firstly, the Lovehandle uses a small pattern and usually can be slotted in on a "lay" when constructing a different, larger bag (say a batch of Papermunkies).  A "lay" is the term used to describe a pile of fabric about to be cut into bags.  As we are very conscious of not wasting material we try to place the jigsaw of patterns together tightly.  Having a smaller pattern, such as the Lovehandle, which we can slot in is a fantastic way to reduce waste!

These Lovehandles which are cut in a lay are around 55% recycled, which usually is due to the liner and components rather than the nylon outer.  You can usually tell these Lovehandles apart as they do not have seams on the front panel.  A good example is below:

Once a lay is cut, there are often "scraps" left over.  In our books, a piece of "scrap" is something which is smaller than our smallest pattern.  This scrap is piled up and then placed into one of our bins.

Although the "scrap" is placed in a "bin" nothing ever leaves our studio as waste!  Instead when the next batch of Lovehandles have to be constructed we dig into the bin searching for usable pieces.  These are then piled up...

and if we find two good pieces, stitched together to create a "patchwork".  This patchwork is now big enough to be used in our Lovehandle pattern.  We mark out the pattern and then cut it out...

From here we compile the cut Lovehandles, regardless of whether they have a higher rate of recycled content or not.  Here on in, the manufacturing process is the same!  And the 26 Lovehandles are just about ready to go...

And no, the newspaper wrapped brick is not a brick of drugs, but just a regular old paver!

You can quickly see which Lovehandles are the "patchwork" variety as there are usually prominent seams on the flap.  This particular example below is 88% recycled due to the patchwork technique and is easy to tell as it has two different colours used in its flap:

Does the seam reduce the strength of the pouch?  Not at all!  The seam used is double stitched, with the last stitch being a top stitch.  In addition to this, the liner is designed to take most of the load, not the outer.  So although the outer is patchworked, it isn't likely to fail, even under the most extreme circumstances!

These Lovehandles will be ready oh-so-soon, so keep checking here to see when they are available!