- A CUSTOM BAG -
- A CUSTOM BAG -
AN ONLINE COURSE WITH ELLIE LUM
coming in 2023
Unleash your inner bag designer!
Have you had an idea for a bag design, but aren't sure how to make it a reality? Have you ever found a bag that was almost perfect, except you wish you could change the dimensions, or make it from upcycled denim, or add a zipper? Are you nervous about getting stuck or making mistakes without a set pattern?
If so, you’ve landed in the right place. This fall, expert bag maker and pattern designer Ellie Lum invites you to join a cohort of budding bag designers to discover what emerges when you combine community, accountability, expert guidance, and permission to play! Part live lecture series, part collaborative workshop, part independent study, this course will introduce you to the fundamentals of bag design, teach you brass tacks skills, and support you all the way through completing a custom, me-made bag.
Have you had an idea for a bag design, but aren't sure how to make it a reality? Have you ever found a bag that was almost perfect, except you wish you could change the dimensions, or make it from upcycled denim, or add a zipper? Are you nervous about getting stuck or making mistakes without a set pattern?
If so, you’ve landed in the right place. This fall, expert bag maker and pattern designer Ellie Lum invites you to join a cohort of budding bag designers to discover what emerges when you combine community, accountability, expert guidance, and permission to play! Part live lecture series, part collaborative workshop, part independent study, this course will introduce you to the fundamentals of bag design, teach you brass tacks skills, and support you all the way through completing a custom, me-made bag.
► How to hone in on your unique aesthetic and design personality
► How to set goals, both for your project and your larger ambitions
► How to think like a designer (backwards, inside-out, upside-down!)
► How to draft pattern blocks and understand measurements
► How to design within your resources, skills, and time constraints
► How to source materials and create a shopping list of supplies
► How to "sketch" in 3D, creating physical design samples
► How to create studies to troubleshoot individual bag features
Finish the course with a custom, me-made, bag that you're totally in love with.
► How to hone in on your unique aesthetic and design personality
► How to set goals, both for your project and your larger ambitions
► How to think like a designer (backwards, inside-out, upside-down!)
► How to draft pattern blocks and understand measurements
► How to design within your resources, skills, and time constraints
► How to source materials and create a shopping list of supplies
► How to "sketch" in 3D, creating physical design samples
► How to create studies to troubleshoot individual bag features
Finish the course with a custom, me-made, bag that you're totally in love with.
This course is choose-your-own-adventure style and therefore open to a wide range of skill levels. Here are 3 ways you might approach it. No matter what, you’ll finish with tons of bag design knowledge and a project you're proud of.
You helped me get excited about making bags again. [...] I was feeling so many negative emotions about sewing—shame, guilt, anxiety, fear, frustration. I wondered if I should just stop, honestly, and focus on other things. But now I feel happy, confident, and eager to get behind my sewing machine. You're a wonderful teacher, and I can't thank you enough for what you've given me.
- Past Student
This course is choose-your-own-adventure style and therefore open to a wide range of skill levels. Here are 3 ways you might approach it. No matter what, you’ll finish with tons of bag design knowledge and a project you're proud of.
Intrigued by the idea of designing your own bag, but not sure if you're ready to take the plunge? Wondering if this course is the right fit for you? Ellie will be live on Zoom for a free info session prior to the course! You'll get a thorough overview, with time to ask all of your questions. A recording will be emailed to all those who sign up.
* DATES TO FOLLOW
WELCOME PACKAGE
Before the course begins, you’ll receive a course folder with worksheets, a design notebook, a pencil, and a few extra fun surprises.
15% DISCOUNT CODE
From the day you sign up until the course ends, you'll get a reusable, 15% off discount code, good on everything in our shop.
PRACTICE MATERIALS
You’ll receive 2 yards of natural canvas for sample-making, a practice zipper pouch kit, craft clips, straight pins, and a fabric pencil.
ONLINE COMMUNITY
Our online community is a place to meet other designers, workshop ideas, ask questions, and share your challenges and triumphs!
7 LIVE ZOOM SESSIONS
Live Zooms with Ellie will include design lectures and hands-on demos, plus plenty of time for Q&A and workshopping your ideas.
REGULAR FEEDBACK
Ellie and the KH team will regularly respond to your questions in the community. All throughout, you’ll be supported at every step.
WELCOME PACKAGE
Before the course begins, you’ll receive a course folder with worksheets, a design notebook, a pencil, and a few extra fun surprises.
15% DISCOUNT CODE
From the day you sign up until the course ends, you'll get a 15% off discount code, good on everything in Klum House’s online shop.
PRACTICE MATERIALS
You’ll receive 2 yards of natural canvas for sample-making, a practice zipper pouch kit, craft clips, straight pins, and a fabric pencil.
ONLINE COMMUNITY
Our online community is a place to meet other designers, workshop ideas, ask questions, and share your challenges and triumphs!
7 LIVE ZOOM SESSIONS
Live Zooms with Ellie will include design lectures and hands-on demos, plus plenty of time for Q&A and workshopping your ideas.
REGULAR FEEDBACK
Ellie and the KH team will regularly respond to your questions in the community. All throughout, you’ll be supported at every step.
SIGN UPKlum House founder + pattern designer Ellie Lum has been designing and making bags professionally for over twenty years—and teaching for almost as long. Ellie’s students appreciate her laidback teaching style and crystal clear instruction. She believes in bandaids and curse words, plentiful snacks and dog cuddle breaks. She believes in you!
When you sign up, you'll get access to an online community of fellow makers. This will serve as your social hub throughout the course—a place to post photos, ask questions, and cheer on your cohort of beginner bag makers. Why go it alone when we can learn together? It's the next best thing to gathering IRL. We can't wait to meet you!
LET'S DO THISKlum House founder + pattern designer Ellie Lum has been designing and making bags professionally for over twenty years—and teaching for almost as long. Ellie’s students appreciate her laidback teaching style and crystal clear instruction. She believes in bandaids and curse words, plentiful snacks and dog cuddle breaks. She believes in you!
When you sign up, you'll get access to an online community of fellow makers. This will serve as your social hub throughout the course—a place to post photos, ask questions, and cheer on your cohort of beginner bag makers. Why go it alone when we can learn together? It's the next best thing to gathering IRL. We can't wait to meet you!
LET'S DO THIS
The first week of this course begins with a 4-hour intensive on Saturday. After that, we will meet live on Zoom every Wednesday from 5-7pm PST. While the Zooms will be recorded, we highly recommend attending them live whenever possible to get the most from this course.
| ZOOM TOPIC | TOPICS |
|---|---|
| 1 | FUNDAMENTALS OF BAG DESIGN |
| 2 | DEFINE YOUR STYLE + CLARIFY YOUR IDEA |
| 3 | DESIGN YOUR BAG + SOURCE MATERIALS |
| 4 | DRAFT + MAKE A CUSTOM ZIPPER POUCH |
| 5 | SAMPLES, STUDIES, AND ITERATION |
| 6 | WORKSHOPPING YOUR BAGS |
| 7 | SHOW + TELL AND NEXT STEPS! |
"[Ellie] makes it possible to create something that you might otherwise have thought was not possible for you." —Diana L., past student
ENROLL NOWThis course will meet live on Zoom every Wednesday from 5-7pm PST, with one additional 4-hour intensive on Saturday. While the Zooms will be recorded, we highly recommend attending them live whenever possible to get the most from this course.
| ZOOM TOPICS | TOPICS |
|---|---|
| 1 | FUNDAMENTALS OF BAG DESIGN |
| 2 | DEFINE YOUR STYLE + CLARIFY YOUR IDEA |
| 3 | DESIGN YOUR BAG + SOURCE MATERIALS |
| 4 | DRAFT + MAKE A CUSTOM ZIPPER POUCH |
| 5 | SAMPLES, STUDIES, AND ITERATION |
| 6 | WORKSHOPPING YOUR BAGS |
| 7 | SHOW + TELL AND NEXT STEPS! |
"[Ellie] makes it possible to create something that you might otherwise have thought was not possible for you." —Diana L., past student
- SITEWIDE DISCOUNT on extra supplies! -
When you enroll, you'll receive an exclusive reusable discount code to use on anything in our online shop for the duration of the course.
Waxed Canvas
LEATHER STRIPS
BAKELITE MALLET
- SITEWIDE DISCOUNT on extra supplies! -
When you enroll, you'll receive an exclusive, reusable discount code
to use on anything in our online shop for the duration of the course.
Waxed Canvas
LEATHER STRIPS
BAKELITE MALLET
Intrigued by the idea of designing your own bag, but not sure if you're ready to take the plunge? Wondering if this course is the right fit for you? Join Ellie live on Zoom for a free info session! You'll get a thorough overview, with time to ask all of your questions. A recording will be emailed to all those who sign up. Dates to follow.
RSVP- SITEWIDE DISCOUNT on extra supplies! -
When you enroll, you'll receive an exclusive discount code to use on anything in our online shop for the duration of the course. (Um, YES PLEASE!)
REGISTRATION CLOSES
Questions about the course? We're here to help! ✉️ support@klumhouse.com
“Ellie Lum is probably the best bag making teacher you will find. Her spoken and written instructions and explanations are crystal clear, as are her patterns. She makes it possible to create something that you might otherwise have thought was not possible for you.”
“So happy I took the course! I learned all about hardware and working with waxed canvas. It totally debunked my fears about making bags. Ellie is so patient, and the combination of pre-recorded video plus in-person explanations worked really well.”
“I was one of the slower makers but Ellie is so patient walking you through the whole process, especially the tricky bits. I love how she explains things, anticipates common mistakes, and helps you problem solve.”
“I left feeling inspired and energized by the skills I learned as well as the energy, support, and joy I felt from the group. I appreciate that Ellie was able to give us individual attention while keeping us all on track. I never felt rushed—just gently guided and supported. Thank you for meeting us where we were, Ellie.”
“Klum House rocks! I feel so proud of myself. I still can’t believe I made such an amazing bag, but it’s really what I learned that is so important. Ellie is truly the most amazing teacher and maker! She is thorough and patient.”
“Easy, stress-free, and totally creatively energizing.”
