Dressmaking in a creative family

My passion for 'making things' began when I was very young, when I attempted to make a frock for Linda, my favourite doll, out of an old piece of thick tartan fabric that had been lying around the house for ever!

My mother, sisters and I used our old Singer sewing machine to make clothes from scratch with a 'Simplicity' pattern until eventually in my 20's and 30's it seemed like everything I wore and everything my family wore, I had made myself, well almost!

And so it continued, doing lots of dress-making, designing bespoke garments, and forays into tapestry weaving, patchwork and quilting, knitting, needlepoint, felt-making, rug-hooking etc – all of which influences my designs today.

The birth of the Rattbag

I made the first Rattbag for one of my daughters in 2002. Then all her friends wanted one, and within six months demand was such that Rattbags were being spotted in the street and had even become a household name... well, in our house anyway.

Who'd have thought my toy doll Linda's tartan frock would inspire a lifelong passion to create beautiful handmade things. Now the time is right to share my Rattbags with the whole world.

Best wishes,

Marilyn

PS. Why the name 'Rattbag'? Well, it's all because of my surname: Rattray. Makes perfect sense, now!