Not quite goodbye to Santa yet!
Well, I thought I might be saying goodbye to an old friend this Christmas!
While sewing a Santa Purse for an order, I realized I was getting down to the very last bits of one of my all-time favorite Christmas fabrics. And since this particular fabric has been out of print for YEARS, I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to find more.
The fabric is officially called Ho Ho Ho Be Jolly by Susan Zulauf for Brother Sister Designs. But apparently, I've called it just about everything else over the years—Leopard Santa, Hip Santa, Santa Faces, and probably a few names I've forgotten!
Realizing that I might be coming to the end of a very long Santa era, curiosity got the best of me. I spent WAY too much time digging through old records to see just how many purses I've made with this fabric over the years.
And wow! What a trip down memory lane!
A Little Santa Purse History
The date printed on the fabric's selvage is 2002. That makes this fabric practically vintage!
I originally used it to make four or five aprons, but eventually decided I liked it even better for purses. And apparently, my customers agreed!
I've been making Santa Purses with this fabric since 2006, and according to the records I could find, I've made at least 244 purses using it!
That's actually a conservative number, because my original website records from 2006–2014 are on PAPER. Yes, paper! I'm not digging through all of those. ?
Over the years, I've used this Santa fabric to create several different styles and sizes:
-
165 Santa Purses (regular and mini sizes)
-
68 Santa Totes
-
8 Santa Hipster Bags
-
3 Santa Crossbody Purses
I even carry one of the Santa Crossbody Purses myself, from Thanksgiving through New Year's. After all these years, I still love that fabric!
The designs have changed a little over time, too. I've used different sizes and shapes of rhinestone buckles for Santa's belt, experimented with different purse styles, and made a few variations that are no longer available.
Looking through the old photos reminded me just how much fun I've had making these bags.
Was This the End of My Santa Purses?
I was beginning to think so!
When a fabric has been out of print for more than 20 years, finding more isn't exactly easy. And I certainly can't just call up the manufacturer and order another bolt!
I was preparing myself for the possibility that once the remaining fabric was gone, that would be the end of this particular Santa Purse.
My husband would have been especially disappointed. Of all the things I've designed and sewn over the past 20 years, my Santa Purses are his absolute favorite!
But I wasn't quite ready to give up.
HAPPY UPDATE! Santa Has Been Rescued!
I FOUND MORE FABRIC!!!
After some searching, I managed to track down a few more yards of my beloved Santa fabric on eBay!
I couldn't believe my luck!
So, it looks like Santa will be sticking around a little longer after all. ?
Of course, a few more yards won't last forever, and there's no guarantee I'll ever find this fabric again. But for now, I'm just happy that I can keep making these cheerful little purses for another Christmas season.
Who would have thought that a piece of fabric printed in 2002 would still be making people smile more than two decades later?
I certainly didn't!
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have some Santa Purses to sew! ?
Browse my Santa Bag Collection →
|
|
|
|
|
I've gone through many sizes and shapes of rhinestone belt sliders over the years! |
|
 Santa Crossbody with zipper options |
|