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Lidia’s Bags — How This Work Began
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Lidia’s Bags — How This Work Began
Five years ago, I experienced an eye stroke that temporarily affected my vision.
During recovery, sewing became part of how I slowly regained function. I already had years of experience sewing as a hobby, but this was different — it was careful, deliberate work that required focus, patience, and repetition.
I started simply, buying one-dollar jeans and converting them into bags. Those early denim bags sold immediately — both online and at craft shows. People responded not just to the materials, but to the practicality and honesty of the designs.
As time went on, the work evolved.
Materials Matter
Before turning to bag making full-time, I worked as a chemical engineer. That background shaped how I think about materials.
Most mass-market bags are made from vinyl or leather. Vinyl degrades over time and releases microplastics. Leather tanning relies heavily on chromium salts and other chemicals that are toxic to people and the environment. These materials are rarely discussed honestly in fashion.
Fabric is different.
Inspired in part by brands like Vera Bradley, I came to believe that fabric is the only material that truly makes sense for bags — when it’s chosen and constructed properly. Fabric can be structured, durable, repairable, and far safer over time.
From that point on, the focus shifted:
make fabric bags that work in professional and formal settings, not just casual ones.
Structure, Feedback, and Evolution
I spent years refining structure — improving stability, adding reinforcement, and designing bags that hold their shape while remaining comfortable to carry.
Just as important was listening.
Customers told me where they wanted pockets, what strap lengths felt right, how bags sat on the body, and what made something comfortable over a long day. That feedback shaped every iteration.
This wasn’t fast fashion.
It was slow, practical refinement.
Why Deadstock Fabrics
About a year ago, I began working primarily with deadstock fabrics — unused materials left over from the fashion industry and often discarded.
Deadstock includes:
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High-quality upholstery
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Tapestries
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Canvas
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Quilted cottons
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Specialty and occasion fabrics
Using these materials solved several problems at once. It reduced waste, lowered material costs, and made it possible to compete with inexpensive imported vinyl bags — without sacrificing quality or values.
It also opened creative doors. These fabrics have character. People notice them. At craft shows, bags are picked up, turned over, and taken home.
The Current Line
By 2026, I am presenting a curated line of designs shaped by:
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Five years of real use and feedback
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Material science and safety awareness
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Changing economic realities
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A clear understanding of what people actually want from a bag
Denim no longer makes sense for most designs, so the line now focuses on deadstock fabrics, high-quality upholstery, tapestries, canvas, and quilted cottons — materials that support structure, comfort, and longevity.
Why I Sell Through eBay
I use eBay because it works — for you and for me.
Over the last 25 years, I’ve built a long-standing account with positive feedback and hundreds of successful sales. Buying through eBay gives customers multiple payment options, buyer protections, and transparency.
Every bag is listed individually with:
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Detailed descriptions
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Multiple photos
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A life-size mannequin image to show true proportions
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AI-generated model images to help you visualize outfits and scale
All transactions go through eBay so you can shop with confidence, clarity, and choice.
Closing
These bags didn’t appear overnight.
They are the result of recovery, experience, material knowledge, listening, and time.
They are made to be used — and made with intention.