Thank You for the Love on My Last Post!

First off—thank you for all the kind and thoughtful responses to my last blog post about learning to make the Juliette Tote! It meant the world. As I read your messages, I realized there’s actually a much bigger story behind that journey—one that starts way before Juliette. So I wanted to take a moment to share the backstory of how I got to this point, and how my vision for in-house production came to life.

My trusty flatbed machine!

A Dream of Vertical Production from the Beginning

From the start, I dreamed of building a fully vertical, domestic production model—where we design, develop, make, and sell every bag right here in the U.S. A setup like this gives us flexibility to prototype quickly, do small-batch runs, and stay nimble as a brand.

The studio circa 2016 

And while the benefits of U.S.-based manufacturing deserve a blog post of their own (stay tuned 😉), this post is all about how that dream became reality.

Getting Started in 2017: The Early Days

When I began developing my first bags in 2017, I knew I had a long road ahead. Bag manufacturing is incredibly complex—it’s a 3D product that requires specialized equipment and skills. But late that year, I found an amazing factory right here in Oregon, and that changed everything. With their help, I brought my first products to life, launching what would become the first Marcher Studio collection.

Working with the factory in 2018

Learning + Building Behind the Scenes

While working with the factory, I soaked up as much as I could. I started crafting smaller leather goods in-house—like the Kristen Belt Strap, Micro Pia, and Petite Pia Clutch—and quietly began investing in tools and equipment to support more advanced work.

Making a prototype in the studio

That incredible factory produced most of our bags through 2021. And in 2022, I took the leap: I brought all production in-house.

Starting with the Kristen Bag

My first in-house challenge? The Kristen Bag. I had made prototypes before, but never sewn one from the final production pattern start to finish. Despite its small size, it’s a complicated bag with 7 pockets!

June 13, 2022 - sewing up the body of my first in-house Kristen!

It took several tries, but I eventually nailed it—and that opened the door to launching new colorways in-house, starting with the Blanc Kristen in summer 2022.

The Beauty of Small-Batch, In-House Production

Making in-house meant I could produce just one or two pieces at a time, test new colors, and even take on custom, made-to-order work.

A special Taupe/Linen color blocked Kristen I made for one of our VIPs!

It’s been so fun creating special editions of the Kristen with many of you—especially the unique colorblocked versions!

Leveling Up: Enter the Cylinder Arm Machine

Once I had Kristen down, I was ready to tackle something bigger. I invested in a cylinder arm machine, essential for sewing more dimensional bags like totes. With guidance from my former factory, I chose the right machine and began experimenting—starting with the Isabella Tote.

The new cylinder arm in the studio

Mastering a New Machine

Learning the cylinder arm took time. It doesn’t have the stable platform of a flatbed, which makes it harder to control. But I kept practicing and soon found my rhythm.

By summer 2023, I completed a production-quality Isabella Tote in a stunning Midnight navy—the first time I’d seen that silhouette in this color, and I was in love.

The Isabella in Midnight right after I sewed the topline! 

Gaining Momentum—and Facing the Next Challenge

By that point, I had expanded my in-house capabilities more than I thought possible. With the Kristen and Isabella under my belt, I began receiving more and more requests for the Juliette Tote, which had been sold out since early 2023. So heading into 2024, I made the decision: it was time to take on Juliette.

Sewing the Juliette facing to the lining (it first gets sewn inside out with a basting stitch, then flipped and finished with an interior topstitch on the lining)

Want to Read the Rest of the Story?

That journey—learning to make the Juliette Tote—was a nearly year-long process that tested me at every turn. But I made it. And if you haven’t had the chance to read that chapter yet, you can check it out here.