Stitch & Swash leather bags are a hot ticket since 'Twilight' cameo

Seattle handbag designer Angie Bowlds incorporates a signature use of color, pattern and bold imagery in Stitch & Swash, her line of locally handmade leather goods. Her bags and wallets convey a confident, urban sensibility with strong lines and eye-catching screen prints. This fall she's busy fulfilling custom requests for her internationally sought-after totes while putting the finishing touches on fall designs. (She's also trying to keep up with the fervent demand for her "Bella's bag," featured in the "Twilight" movie -- but more about that later.)

Bowlds has been a graphic designer since 2003 and enjoys turning a two-dimensional concept into a durable, three-dimensional bag that will age beautifully. She designs all of her screen prints, which are inspired by vintage illustrations and stylized plant patterns.

Color plays a starring role in Stitch & Swash bags, and Bowlds works to pair her different leathers with complementary colored screen prints. This season Bowlds is adding black leather to the olive, grey, red, brown and orange she's designed with since 2006. To complement the new hue, she's experimenting with crème screen prints and gold hardware. In addition to the new black leather, expect dashing bags with screen prints in shades of lime, aqua and persimmon.

This fall, Bowlds is also incorporating pleats in bags, such as her pleated clutch ($59), to add an appealing dimension and achieve a "look that's really clean and feminine."  She's also focusing on function by designing bag interiors with cotton linings that include pockets and key clips. Also new this season, a lady's wallet ($35) -- designed to fit a checkbook -- will join Stitch & Swash card cases ($10), men's wallets ($30), clutches ($59), hobos ($99), small totes ($99), large totes and satchels ($175-$225).

Stitch & Swash large totes have been in high demand since one was featured in last year's runaway success, "Twilight," as lead character Bella Swan's bag. (Apparently, it's also been spotted in the trailer for the upcoming "New Moon.") When I asked Bowlds, a former prop designer, why the bag was featured prominently throughout the film, she credited the bag's design. "It's an everyday bag that's easy to throw things in. [Bella] didn't have to fumble with a zipper or a flap," Bowlds explains. The ease and beauty of this bag certainly translated onscreen and there is currently a five-week waiting list for custom "Bella's bag" requests.

If you have a custom request or would like to personalize an existing Stitch & Swash design, contact Bowlds through her Web site or online store, The Crafty Devils. If you'd like to get your hands on one of Stitch and Swatch's new fall offerings, visit Velouria in Ballard.

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