#50/51 between bags

I first created a dust bag for the bookbag I finished last week. I wanted the bag to be super posh, so I made it out of cotton velvet. Velvet is difficult to sew, so I hand-stitched all but a small part inside that doesn't show. It took hours to make. This might be a bit over the top for a dust bag, but it turned out really well.



Our cat Fifi thought I had made the perfect bed for her out of the leftover fabric. Now I'll have to clean it before using it on my next project.



Then I started on my next project, a bookbag similar to the previous one but larger and with different pockets. I sketched the new design and started the process of sourcing materials. I also battled my scanner to try to scan my sketch correctly. Apparently it has a feature that automatically "straightens" polygons it deems to be crooked. I have to admit the scanner won this battle, but I'll get it sooner or later.

#50 bookbag finished

After another 15 hours of stitching this week, I finished the bookbag.


First, I sewed the pockets into the lining.


Stitching the zipper in.


Putting it all together. This is the most difficult and time consuming step, because there are so many layers that need to be stitched together. The tips of my thumbs and pointer fingers are tender now!


The finished product:


I will also make a velvet bag to ship and store the bag in, so I guess I'm not completely finished.

My next project is a request for a custom-designed bag, similar to this one but larger with different pocket placement. I'm excited to start sketching and creating color samples for the client.

#50 bookbag

Bag number 50 is my favorite bag, the bookbag. The first time I made this one, I was almost out of materials, so I put together a few different things that I had around the house. Wouldn't you know, this creative approach to materials produced the bag I love most.


First, the pieces must be cut out, and the holes punched for stitching. Each bag is hand-stitched inside and out, and each hole that is stitched is marked on the pattern. The markings are transferred to the leather and canvas, and then the holes are punched with a tool that is similar to a paper punch. This bag has 32 pieces and more than 4000 holes.


Once all the pieces are ready, stitching begins.


After 9 hours of stitching, this is how far I am. Still a long way to go, and it gets progressively more difficult, because the closer I get to finishing, the more layers there are to sew together.

New Beginning

My name is Maureen De Haan, and I am starting this blog to document the journey of my fashion line, Denver Couture.

Denver Couture started in 2004 when I made my first pair of jeans for myself. I was taking pattern drafting classes from Ilse Romoth, a German woman who told spellbinding tales of European couture. I had decided to make any clothing I needed, so when I needed jeans, I made them. I have always had difficulty finding jeans that fit me. When I finally had that pair that fit me perfectly, I knew many people would appreciate the luxury of jeans custom made for them. This is how Denver Couture was born.

The name Denver Couture came from the idea of a custom-tailored product, which is the traditional meaning of the word “couture.” I referenced Denver in the name because I wanted to create something authentic that reflects the beauty and strength of this place I call home. Paris and New York are fashion capitols with their own unique styles, but a line from Denver need not attempt to imitate them. With the rich heritage of western wear and legends of the Wild West, there is ample inspiration to create products that can’t be found anyplace else.

A few months after starting Denver Couture, I met Ilse’s son, Mike Romoth, a multi-talented Denver writer, poet, and artist who works with leather and is influenced by Native American art. Mike suggested I try working with leather and helped me make my first bag. To continue making jeans, I needed to buy an industrial sewing machine, and it was challenging to have customers come to my home for fittings. I thought it would be quicker, cheaper, and easier to make leather bags, which do not require fittings. So I decided to focus on making handbags first. Four years and thousands of dollars later, I felt my line was strong enough to launch, and I worked to develop a website. In the meantime, I had also purchased an industrial sewing machine and was still making jeans for myself, so I decided to offer jeans as well.

In 2009 I launched my website, had a fashion show, and entered a local contest for fashion designers. These efforts gained me some local press coverage, but led to no sales. It was a disappointing year.

Recently, I completed a pair of jeans for a friend whose build is difficult to fit. They required several alterations, which once again, made the challenges of seeing customers at home painfully obvious. He is very happy with his jeans, but the experience has brought me to the conclusion that I need to simplify and offer only leather goods at this time.

This decision has been liberating. I work full-time and have a son. To launch my line with two different products has been overwhelming. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I am now impatient to achieve success and make this my primary source of income.

This blog is for sharing my experience with you and in the process, hold myself accountable. It is my goal to document my progress at least once a week.

I give special thanks to Mike and Ilse Romoth, who are the Denver and the Couture of Denver Couture. Thanks also to my very dear friend Sarah Vanderveen, who has started her own blog this year. She is a writer-surfer-mother extraordinaire who has been a great source of support and an incredibly positive influence since our college days together. She is one of those rare people who is beautiful inside and out. Also, thanks to my friend Tom Plassmeyer, a gifted musician whose dedication to his craft has been inspirational to me. Thank you to all my friends and family who have been there for me through the years. I am forever grateful for the important roles you have played in my life.

Thank you for visiting. I welcome your comments and feedback.

Much love and blessings to all,

maureen