Designer in Focus

We’re excited to feature Kaur Threads in our Designer in Focus series! Known for her thoughtfully designed patterns and passion for empowering bag makers, Kaur Threads is a brand with an inspiring story. Here’s a closer look at her journey, creative process, and dedication to the craft.

What was your first pattern?

My first pattern was actually the Neo Crossbody Wallet Pattern. While it was being tested, my testers suggested that I release a free pattern first, which led to the release of the Haley Wristlet pattern.

What inspired you to become a bag designer?

It’s a long story, and I am oversharing—here it goes. After completing my studies, I was determined not to pursue a 9-5 job. In Indian culture, staying unemployed is often acceptable for girls, but deep down, I wanted to do something meaningful in life—ideally, to start and own a business like my dad someday. I knew that simply staying at home would lead to boredom, so I decided to learn a skill: sewing clothes.

The beginning was tough. My early attempts at making clothes often ended in failure. I then shifted my focus to making pouches and immersed myself in countless YouTube tutorials, gradually improving my skills from 2017 to 2019.

In July 2020, my brother commissioned me to make a duffel bag. Wanting it to look professional, I searched for tutorials and stumbled upon Jessica OklaRoots’ YouTube channel. I found her tutorial for the Swoon Dallas Duffel Bag and made my very first pattern purchase. Making that bag was a success, and I explored more videos on Jessica’s channel, discovering the bag sewing community and various bag pattern designers.

I began exploring free patterns and made several bags, which helped me improve my skills. However, I was spending a lot of my pocket money from my dad on materials. At the same time, I was sewing on my mom's domestic Janome sewing machine, which she had bought in 1998. While the machine had served her well, it wasn’t designed for thick vinyl, which I loved. I often cried in frustration as the machine struggled to stitch properly, leaving me feeling defeated. My passion for making all-vinyl bags clashed with the machine’s limitations. I desperately wanted an industrial walking foot machine, believing it would solve my issues and allow me to create the bags I envisioned. But I didn’t have enough savings to buy one.

Meanwhile, my brother would ask, "How long will you keep making bags? Will you forever make bags?" He was right. I needed a way to earn money not only to buy the machine but also to support my passion for making quality bags. Selling handmade items was an option, but starting a business in the UAE is expensive, and I lacked the funds to register and run one.

In October 2020, I decided to become a pattern designer. I believed I could learn to create templates for most designs; I just needed to improve my sewing techniques. This path would allow me to run a business, earn money, buy the industrial machine I dreamed of, and maintain my independence while pursuing my passion for sewing bags. I gave myself 3-4 months to sew more bags using the purchased patterns in my collection, understanding how patterns should be written.

After that, I designed my first bag, the Neo Crossbody Wallet. It took me four months to learn how to use software (MS Word for writing and Inkscape for creating templates), take photos, and write instructions. I was so focused that I worked all day, taking minimal breaks, sacrificing sleep and proper meals. While it affected my health, I didn’t feel tired; I worked like a robot.

Once the Neo pattern was ready, I had it tested and discussed buying a new machine with my family before the release. My dad and brother generously contributed to help me purchase the industrial machine I had dreamed of. With that new machine, I could finally enhance the quality and craftsmanship of my bags.

I’m forever grateful to my dad and brother for their support and to my mom, who encouraged me to pursue my passion instead of getting caught up in house chores every day. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to push my passion forward.

My first paid pattern, the Neo Crossbody Wallet, was a huge success. Since then, I’ve continued to grow as a bag pattern designer while revisiting sewing clothes. Although it was challenging at first, I’ve improved my skills in that area too. I’m still a bit behind where I’d like to be, but I hope to sew more clothes for myself someday.

Could you share your approach to designing a bag?

My basic approach to designing bags focuses on incorporating plenty of pockets on the outside, so I don’t have to keep opening the main compartment for essential items like my phone, lip balm, and keys. You'll notice that all my bags feature at least two outside pockets, one of which is always for my phone.

I start by deciding what type of bag I want to create—whether it should be a crossbody, tote, or backpack. After that, I make a basic design and turn to Pinterest for more inspiration. Sometimes I find exactly what I need, and other times I don’t. When inspiration is lacking, I ask myself what features I require in a bag, which helps me refine the design.

Once I have a clear idea, I create a final design and make prototypes until I feel the design is perfected. This process usually takes me about 1-2 weeks, but I sometimes procrastinate, stretching it to 4 weeks.

Have you ever used a template for making a bag?

Does "template" here refer to acrylic templates? If so, then no, I have never used them.

What is your definition of a great bag?

For me, a great bag is one that, regardless of size, can keep my stuff organized at all times. I believe this can only happen if there are a good number of pockets. Additionally, it should be comfortable to access my belongings easily. I haven’t yet made a bag with a flap, as I find that lifting the flap to reach for a small item can be cumbersome. However, I do plan to design a flap bag one day for those who love it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our bag-making community?

I want to tell each bag maker, especially the beginner bag makers, that I also write my patterns with them in mind. My goal is to help them feel included and confident while making bags using my designs. I aim to create instructions that are easy to understand and include plenty of photos, so that while they may need to read the instructions the first time, they can rely on the visuals for future projects. They really don’t need a video tutorial; my instructions are designed to guide them through the process. I also recognize that there’s always room for improvement, and I strive to make each new pattern better than the last.

Conclusion

Kaur Threads is a shining example of resilience and creativity, turning challenges into opportunities to inspire others. Her thoughtfully crafted patterns reflect her passion for functionality, organisation, and inclusivity. If you haven’t explored her designs yet, now is the perfect time to dive in and discover what makes Kaur Threads a beloved name in the bag-making community!

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