Our Workshop

Welcome to the workshop.

This isn't a museum, and it's not a factory. It's a working studio where bags are designed, machines are restored, materials are rediscovered, and every now and then, a ninety-year-old sewing machine teaches me something new. Sustainable production includes preserving technical skill, not just materials.

Meet the machines, materials, and methods behind every Crystalyn Kae bag.

Every Crystalyn Kae bag begins long before the first stitch.

It begins in our Seattle workshop, where modern craftsmanship meets decades-old industrial sewing machines, thoughtfully sourced materials, and a belief that well-made things should last.

For more than 25 years, I've been designing handbags that are practical, beautiful, and built for everyday life. Along the way, I've developed a fascination with the tools that make that possible—from vintage industrial sewing machines to unusual manufacturing techniques and remarkable reclaimed textiles.

This page is a window into the workshop behind the bags.

Whether you're curious about how your bag was made, wondering what makes an industrial sewing machine different, or simply enjoy the stories behind well-crafted things, welcome.

The Materials

Every material has a story.

Some have traveled thousands of miles. Others spent decades tucked away before finding a second life in our workshop.

Explore:

Vintage Boeing aircraft fabrics
midcentury upholstery textiles
Machine-washable coated canvas
Rescued Leather
Custom durable hardware

The Machines

Industrial sewing machines have a reputation for being intimidating.

They're heavy. They're built from cast iron. Many are older than the people using them. But they are exceptionally built to do one job. Very well. Very fast. Through thick materials with sturdy thread.

Our workshop is home to a mix of daily production workhorses and the occasional rare machine that I restore simply because its story deserves to be preserved.

Featured Machine Profiles:

Singer 47W120 Darner (currently on the bench)
"Fiona" our Singer 246-3 Overlocker/ Serger
"Ziggy" our Singer 20U with Irish Embroidery lever
Singer 261 Double-Needle Chainstitch
Bonis Fur Machine
"June" our Singer 212W140 Double-needle strap sewing machine with binder and puller
"Nancy" Singer 221 Featherweight (not industrial, but the gateway machine that started it all)

(Machine profiles are continually updated as I research, restore, and learn more.)

Why Vintage Industrial Machines?

Somewhere along every maker's journey, there's a point where a domestic sewing machine just isn't enough anymore.

Many of the machines in this workshop are 70 to 100 years old.

They're beautifully engineered, remarkably repairable, and still capable of producing work that rivals—or exceeds—many modern machines.

I'm also passionate about proving that industrial machines don't belong only in factories. With thoughtful layouts, compact tables, and a little creativity, they can fit beautifully into home studios and small workshops.