(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)
It is possible that I carry a few notebooks around with me at all times, whether I'm going to work, running errands, or just moving from room to room. And since I'm apparently not allowed to have a pet alpaca in my house, I need handy ways to carry around said notebooks. So I have a house tote, and I know I'm not alone, just for my writing kit. Right now I'm using The Superior Labor Petite Engineer Bag. It's so perfectly suited to this purpose; I think I may have found my ideal writing caddy.
At first glance, I thought, "Oh, that's very tiny," but it is deceptively spacious. I can easily put up to four hardcover A5 notebooks in the bag and still not interfere with the space in the interior pocket, where I keep a few pens. A bottle of ink fits at either end of the main compartment. And stickers, bookmarks, a notepad, or other slim accessories can fit in the exterior slip pocket.
The bag is very well designed and constructed. Even when fully loaded, it feels well-balanced, with handles at the perfect length and thickness. It is made from a rugged heavy-duty canvas from Kurashiki. It is cotton woven on a shuttle loom that creates an especially thick cloth with a tight, lightly textured weave. If you're concerned that I may have fallen down another of my textile rabbit holes on this one, YES I did, and I'm taking you with me. If you're interested, you can read a bit about the history of this fabric making here and here.
The natural cream colored cotton is painted on the bottom with a thick paint that adds structure and strength to the bottom of the bag. There are a variety of paint colors available. The front is also stamped with The Superior Labor logo and "Standard and Strong, we take pride in craftsmanship and never skimp on time and effort, Made in Japan." This is awfully chatty for a bag, but the design of the stamping looks nice. It also kinda feels like my writing bag is shaming me into doing my writing, which is honestly helpful sometimes.
Apart from the canvas body of the bag, the handles and slip pocket are made from thick but flexible vegetable-tanned leather. It is undyed and is already beginning to take on an elegant aged look. All of the straps and pockets are fastened with brass hardware stamped with "The Superior Labor." The brass is also taking on some great character.
From the weaving to the brass casting to the sewing, painting, and washing, the bag is entirely made by hand by Japanese craftspeople, and that care shows in the finished product. This bag will probably outlive me, which is fair, because so will my writing deadlines.
Needless to say, I absolutely love this bag. Due to their laborious construction, they can be a little hard to find available. And they are rather expensive. Dromgoole's often carries them, where this Petite Engineer Bag sells for around $90. Is that a lot for a small bag--yes. I'd argue that this one is worth it, given the materials and craftsmanship. After researching the weaving process, I might even say that's underpriced, considering what many mass-produced, fast-fashion bags cost these days. The Superior Labor does have smaller pouches, as well, along with some fantastic accessories--and some larger tote bags that now reside on my Grail Quest list.
(Brad purchased this product from Dromgoole's at regular price for review purposes.)
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