A custom order is always an honor to me. It means someone trusted my hands, my eye, and my vision to bring their idea into the real world.
Introduction
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bout a month ago, I received a really interesting request from Melissa. She wanted a custom tote bag inspired by two things I personally love: Sailor Jerry, the iconic tattoo artist, and the aesthetic of Kapital, the Japanese brand known for their character-rich heritage pieces. The timing of this project was honestly perfect. It came during a very difficult period for me, and even though I had several projects running at the same time, this one felt different — fresh, creative, and exactly the kind of challenge I needed.
My connection with Sailor Jerry actually goes back to 2007, when the brand had its famous store in Philadelphia — the only Sailor Jerry store at the time. I remember walking in and immediately connecting with the artwork, the tattoo language, and the whole Americana spirit behind it. I picked up a few T-shirts for myself and for my brother, and what stayed with me was not only the graphics but also the incredible quality. That moment connects directly to the early emotional roots of what would later become 88th Company, so working on a Sailor Jerry–inspired custom bag felt like revisiting part of my own origin story.
The Canvas
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hen Melissa and I discussed the construction of the bag, the goal was clear: it had to be large, comfortable, and strong enough for everyday life in New York City. She often carries quite a lot — sometimes a lunchbox, sometimes an extra pair of sneakers — so the bag needed long straps for heavy loads and a structure that would hold weight without losing shape.
For the material, I worked entirely with vintage military canvas. I selected two different vintage bags — one French from the 1950s and one German from the 1960s. The French canvas formed the main body of the tote and was incredibly thick and almost indestructible, while the German canvas was used for the straps and reinforcement areas. Both fabrics sit in a natural tone between faded green and soft brown, creating the depth and authenticity that only aged canvas can offer.
Nothing was wasted. Scraps from both vintage bags were reused to create reinforcement patches and design details, continuing the philosophy of true upcycling heritage materials.
Symbols
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nce the bag structure was complete, I began working on the artwork. I asked Melissa which Sailor Jerry designs she connected with most — swallows, eagles, symbolic numbers, and classic tattoo imagery — and created a series of custom compositions designed specifically for the proportions of her tote.
The central piece became an eagle carrying a banner with her initials, positioned so the design comes alive when the bag moves. Supporting elements such as swallows and symbolic graphics were distributed across the surface to create rhythm and visual storytelling, allowing the bag to feel both balanced and deeply personal.
On the back, I added a New York stencil inspired by military lettering, intentionally scaled slightly larger so it visually stands out. A meaningful birth date chosen by Melissa was also included, adding another layer of personal identity to the piece.
Details
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atches were created from leftover canvas from the German and French bags, along with pieces from organic cotton totes that I dyed using coffee, earth pigments, and paint to create naturally aged tones. These details were positioned organically so the bag feels like it has lived many lives before reaching its final form.
A recycled metal ring taken from one of the original duffel bags was sewn into the front strap to create the 88th Company signature keychain holder. Instead of using my usual clay pendants, I twisted leftover textile strips into a fabric twine, secured it with red thread, and added two tiger-eye stones to complete a rugged but slightly feminine keychain detail.
Inside the tote, the interior pocket was constructed using repurposed material from a Dutch military duffel bag, meaning the final custom piece was created from elements of three different vintage heritage bags, each contributing to its story.
Closer Look
Packaging
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or custom projects, presentation is part of the experience. I created a personalized tag featuring early concept doodles, a handwritten letter including a small swallow drawing, and a signed certificate of authenticity documenting the bag’s creation date and edition number. All documents were aged and coffee-dyed to match the heritage aesthetic.
Before shipping, the entire bag was carefully heat-pressed to stabilize the paint, stitching, and distressing details. It was then wrapped in brown paper with a custom stencil featuring her initials and eagle motif, tied with vintage thread, and sealed using the 88th Company winged wax seal.
Philosophy
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ustomization is not just about design — it is about building something meaningful. Every custom bag I create is designed to reflect the person who will carry it, using heritage materials, handmade techniques, and small intentional details that cannot be replicated by mass production.
When someone chooses an 88th Company custom piece, they are trusting me with their story. My goal is simple: that when the bag arrives, they feel proud, seen, and genuinely happy every time they carry it.
That will always remain the spirit behind 88th Company — Handmade With Love For History.
Final Result
It was truly an honor to work on this project, and I’m very happy that Melissa received her bag safely. In her last email, she shared how extremely happy she was with the final piece, which makes this project even more special to me. Knowing that something made by hand is now part of someone’s everyday life is always the most rewarding part of what I do.
Have questions about the process, or want to commission your own custom piece? I’d love to hear from you! Visit the commissions page to get started or reach out directly.
All my supplies are included below.
Thanks,
Sonia .
Supplies
Angelus Paint for leather, Speedball Fabric Paint, 1 mm Faber-Castell Marker, Pebeo SetaSkrib Opaque Fabric Marker, Silhouette Cameo cutter, paint brushes, pastel brushes for stencils, Siruba Industrial sewing machine, various German vintage surplus thread, vintage military bags.