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Writer's pictureDeb Me Made Makes

From New Zealand to the UK: Bag Making and Community Support with Jill from KiteCo Creates



You know when you have those tech gremlins that seem to come out of nowhere? That’s exactly how this latest episode began, but once we got through the hiccups, I had a fabulous chat with Jill from KiteCo Creates in New Zealand. Jill’s journey into bag-making started with a simple goal: creating a custom nappy bag for herself. From there, she joined online groups, absorbed all the tips and techniques she could find, and eventually began designing her own patterns. In fact, she recently took over Kiwi Bagineers, a New Zealand-based supply business, to make essential materials more accessible for bag makers in her corner of the world. We shared stories, challenges, and some laughs about the unique experiences of running sewing businesses and what it means to be part of such a warm, collaborative community.


Jill’s journey didn’t stop at making a few bags for herself. Like many of us, she joined a few Facebook groups, absorbed tons of techniques, and found herself drawn into the world of bag pattern design. In our chat, we bonded over our preference for visual learning (YouTube tutorials, anyone?) and shared some laughs about our similar experiences of running sewing businesses, which, as it turns out, leaves both of us with less time to sew for fun than we’d like.


One of the standout moments was learning about Jill’s recent leap into a new business ownership. She’s just taken over Kiwi Bagineers, a New Zealand-based supplier, with plans to make supplies more accessible for the local sewing community. Jill spoke about the challenges of sourcing materials in New Zealand and her hopes to expand the product range, which really shows her commitment to supporting bag makers in her region.


We also touched on the international sewing community’s supportive vibe. It’s such a unique group where everyone, regardless of age, skill, or experience, is welcome. There’s a real sense of encouragement and collaboration, free from the negativity or competitiveness you might find elsewhere. And yes, we did get into the topic of AI and its growing presence in design. Jill and I both agreed that while AI might be here to stay, nothing replaces the originality and diversity of ideas from real people in our community.


If you love hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of fellow bag makers and want some inspiration for your next project, this episode is for you! Jill’s journey from creating her first nappy bag to running Kiwi Bagineers, is truly inspiring, and our conversation touched on everything from community spirit to business challenges and the future of bag design. Head over to the podcast episode for the full chat—you won’t want to miss Jill’s insights and our shared love for The Bag Makers Sew-Ciety!


Until next time, happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full.


Deb x

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