A Derry student has taken on her granny's skills as a seamstress in creating hand-made tote bags.
Ella McGeady turned her hobby of sewing into a Secret Santa gift for her friend, and Toes Handmade by Ella was born.
The 15-year-old knows that, without her family history in sewing, Totes Handmade by Ella would never have existed.
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Ella spoke to MyDerry about her family connection to Derry's shirt factory industry and how the skills learned by the factory girls have been passed down to new generations.
She said: "My granny, Chris McGeady, is the kindest, most talented person I know. When she was younger, she worked in the Star Shirt Factory, but she didn’t have much to learn as her mother Rose, my great granny, was also an excellent seamstress. Therefore, I am not only keeping skills passed down from my granny, but I am also keeping the skills from older generations.
"When my mummy and her sister were born my granny made a lot of their clothes and she often tells me about how many compliments they got. I plan on keeping the skills my granny has passed down and even pass them on to future generations.
"If my granny was not a seamstress, I don’t think I would have ever even considered sewing as a hobby. I go to one of the sewing classes that she teaches on a Tuesday night, and I have been going for many years now. When I was younger my granny would have the sewing machine set up on the dining room table and always guides me when I sew."
Ella wanted to create a special, handmade gift for her friend for Christmas, and through word of mouth people began to request tote bags for themselves.
Ella said: "Last Christmas, my friends and I took part in Secret Santa and I wanted my gift to be different. I wanted to give my friend something original and something that she’d love. I decided to sew a tote bag, as they were all coming back into fashion. I ended up giving my friend the bag and she loved it!
"The tote bag was then used as a school bag, and it caught one of the teacher’s attention. The teacher ended up asking me to make one for herself and her daughter. This is when I began to think that making totes bags could really take off as a business and soon enough, I was making bags for family and friends!
"I feel quite proud when I walk past somebody or see a friend with one of my bags. Since I have sold a few to my school friends, I see my bags being used daily. One of my bags was sent as a gift to Australia and another made it out to New York earlier this year.
"It’s a really great feeling to see people buying and using my creations. I’m always so grateful for the support, near and far."
For Ella, sewing has grown from a hobby to a small business, but remains as a key way for her to stress relieve after school.
She said: "Sewing to me is something I can go to when I need a break from schoolwork or when I have a few hours free. It’s definitely something that will stay with me, whether it’s a career path or a hobby.
"At the moment, Totes Handmade by Ella has been slowly expanding Derry through word of mouth. If somebody is looking to purchase a tote bag, they can privately message me on Facebook, @Ella McGeady, or on Instagram, @ellamcgeady_."
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