Keeping organized while traveling or keeping a handbag or craft tote neat and tidy is seldom an easy task. The unique bags from Sappies are a new tool in the battle against clutter.
Entrepreneur Suzanne Sapp has created a new concept for keeping clutter at bay: clever two-in-one cotton sateen bags that are lined with non-stick vinyl. The creative design is rather like an open clam shell with a pocket in each side of the shell and a zipper at the top. Each bag can be folded so that the pockets function separately. The zipper conveniently opens both at once and ribbons keep the fold in place. It can also be opened up and laid flat, either to make it easier to pack in a suitcase or to allow it to slip more neatly into a purse, backpack or craft drawer.
The Sappies bags come in a variety of sizes, from a tiny 5 ½” wide x 2 3/4″ tall to a medium (11″ wide by 6″ tall) to an extra large (14″ wide x 10 ½” tall). [These measurements are somewhat different than those given in the Sappies literature – my measurements are based on the bags standing as they would be used; height is from the bottom to the top of the zipper and width from side to side.]
The large bag uses a handy ring tug for the zipper. The costs are a little on the spendy side at $12 for the tiny bag, $18 for the medium, and $25 for the large, but the bags certainly are both attractive and handy. Knitting needle roll-up bags, tote bags, and other custom orders are also available (see the Sappies website for specifics).
Designer Fabrics Have “Arts & Crafts” Flair
Designer fabrics by Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry remind me of textiles and wallpaper designs of William Morris, one of the founders of the English Arts & Crafts movement. The colorways move beyond the everyday-ness of primary and secondary colors into olives, teals, limes, sky blues, mauves, mulberries, and rusts.
Sappies Are Sturdy, Attractive with Lots of Uses
These attractive bags are sturdily made of heavy materials that will stand up to lots of use. The vinyl lining is a useful touch for preventing messes and offers easy clean-up. The range of colors and designs are creative and interesting. Being able to mix and match designs within a given color palette is also fun!
The medium and large bags can serve lots of uses. I’ve tested out the medium as a traveling art case and for corralling undies in a suitcase. Currently it is holding the power cord and headset for my laptop—it is easy to toss it into my backpack when I head to a coffee shop or use it in carry-on luggage.
The large bag is a great size for a slightly larger art case (it’s just right for a sketch pad and a set of colored pencils) and it works as a casual portfolio for writing and editing projects on the run. It is also a bang-up option for packing dress shoes in a suitcase—opened out with one pair of shoes in each side, the bag is soft enough to let you pack around the shoes while it keeps them from getting scuffed or soiling clothes.
What I’d Like to See Added to Future Sappies
For me, the tiny bag is just too small. I’ve yet to find a practical use for it. The zipper takes up about ¾” of an already small top, leaving an opening that is difficult to get things in and out of. If it were just even ½” to 1” taller, it might hold a tube of lipstick and other smallish items upright, allowing for easy access. A new slightly larger bag is now available that may be a better option.
Also, while I find the ribbons an attractive feature for use in my travel bags, they didn’t turn out to be very practical when tossed into a handbag or backpack. They easily come untied, get caught in zippers, or just get ratty looking quickly. I have arthritis in my hands, which makes tying them difficult. Ribbons are also a safety hazard around pets and the ribbons on these lovely bags drawn my beasties right to them, so I can’t leave the bags out even for a moment. Finally, I must admit that I like using the largest bag as a cool and funky portfolio–but the ribbons just felt too unprofessional, so I snipped them away and hid a small strip of Velcro just inside of where the ribbons used to be in order to hold the two halves together. A fold-over tab with a snap would be a snazzier option.
All in all, I really like the Sappies bags and would recommend them as a nice gift or as a fun and funky strategy for organization on the go.
A set of Snappies bags were provided to The Untrained Housewife for product review.
