My beloved red Hedgren bag fell apart during my big Europe trip – in fact I had to do some emergency hand sewing during the instructors briefing meeting at the Urban Sketchers Symposium!
So the first thing I did when my life settled down, was to see if I could track another one down.
Here is a photo of my old red bag: Hedgren Clapham M. It is a lightweight cross body shoulder bag that is large enough to include an A4 sketchbook! But the most important feature is the two front pockets. One pocket for my pens which I carry in a Mead 5 star pen holder (it’s a bit tight but does fit in). The other pocket for my paint tin, brush and water containers.
Well, Hedgren is no longer making the red version (only black) so I looked on e-bay to see what I could find. All the red ones were very expensive (shipping mainly) but I did find a blue version that was more reasonable. Imagine my shock when it arrived and realised that there is only one front pocket! While I prefer two pockets, the one pocket is larger and a bit more spacious. So ultimately I don’t think it will matter that much.
I did this sketch on the train this morning, it was a bit bumpy and I was doing a few texture tests, so it’s a loose interpretation – but what’s new. hey? At the end of the sketch, I realised that my Ultramarine Blue watercolour pencil (Faber-Castell Albrecht Durer) was a perfect colour match.
So, do you have a favourite sketching bag – or are you still looking?
18 Comments
It looks terrific and they have a store in Paris! I hope its waterproof..
Following your example I bought this bag for a trip to Europe but since I carry around a smaller sketchbook when travelling I bought it in size S instead of M. Perfect for my needs and roomy enough for what I used. And mine is blue too.
ah great Diane!
I have a bright yellow version of the red bag with two pockets……but don’t like the bright yellow. I was delighted on Christmas Day when my son presented me with a red (yes, red!) one …..but…only ONE pocket! I do not like this version at all..as the pocket is too big and I spend a lot of time scrabbling around in the pocket to find what I nee. The earlier, two,pocket version is FAR more useful. Btw, I love Hedgren bags…so well made and such great zips….and they are often to be found in TK Max stores….so great value
Ah ha! I didn’t notice the one pocket when we were in Lucca…sign why do they change things like that!
I was surprised by the one large pocket on the front also, but I’m loving the bag anyway. Cosidered trying to stitch a centre seam at least part way up on the inside to keep things from sliding around so much but haven’t done that yet. Mine is blue also but more of a grey blue.
Yes, that would make sense if things are sliding around. A grey blue would be nice – not sure this blue will go with some of my other blues?
Not owning one I don’t know if it’s possible but perhaps you can add a seam down the middle of the big pocket. I’ve done that alteration on big inside pockets and it works well.
Hi Jo – yes that would be possible but the main issue is the one zip and the little magnetic flap…
If you haven’t seen them Kipling bags are worth a look. I picked up a great one on eBay for £10 (16.6557AUD according to XE 🙂 , unfortunately don’t know the model. Try searching for A4 ones, but not the Messenger bag… not enough pockets in the right places. The more utlitarian bags are made of strong nylon, pretty much waterproof and they are machine washable. Jst rub a candle on the zips afterwards anf they’re good as new.
thanks denise… I have heard of them but never tested one out
I’ve been trawling ebay too for “the perfect” bag. It’s a mission. Its a case of ‘what’s it called’ .. I think I’ve wasted a couple of hours and searched through every category I can think of. I found this one that might be worth a look – inexpensive so not a big deal if its not right, but the size seems good – a bit bigger than the Hedgren Claphman Small, and looks like the pockets are in the right places:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fashion-Womens-Shoulder-Bag-Waterproof-Nylon-Messenger-Handbag-Crossbody-Satchel-/221958228299?var=&hash=item33adbdc94b:m:m8fMqhAhoq5zly-Il0LKwCA
thanks Diane – that looks great!
I’ve got a lovely leather messenger bag which I use everyday as my handbag/sketch bag.
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/186155092/leather-messenger-bagcamera-tool?ref=shop_home_active_33
it is gorgeous and getting better with age…. can fit all I need in it and it’s wide enough strap to wear across my body. I do wish for more pockets (a girl can never have enough pockets) but I love the soft supple natural feel of it and it takes paint splatters with good grace.
that looks lovely Deb – I love your comment “it takes paint splatters with good grace.”
Looks like it should work well for you! Don’t you hate when they change things on you?
It will be ok, but I do miss the two pockets.
If you are still interested, it looks like you can get the two pocket red bag very reasonably from ebags
http://www.ebags.com/product/hedgren/clapham-medium-shoulder-bag/276402?productid=10345707
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