The Whale Bag Story
From Pool Toy to Treasured Keepsake:
This blog chronicles the transformation of an inflatable humpback whale pool toy into cherished keepsakes — a project born from a special friendship and the desire to preserve memories through creative reuse.
A Gift from the Heart
It all began when my dear friend Marisa Newman, General Manager of Air New Zealand in Rarotonga, gifted me her daughter Gracie’s inflatable whale.
Gracie had once apprenticed with me — learning how to cut and weave plastic — and was now moving to Wellington. This whale had been a gift to Gracie from our beloved “Whale Lady,” Nan Hauser, making it not just a toy, but a memory soaked in meaning and connection.
Gracie’s Tote Bag Takes Shape
(01.12.2020)
Next came Gracie’s tote bag. I love combining plastic with fabric — it softens the feel and adds a tactile contrast.
Turning the bag inside out is always the magic moment: the transformation from scraps to something stunning and usable.
And there was still more whale left…
Exploring Every Possibility
(05.12.2020)
I wasn’t done yet! From the remaining plastic, I made:
- A wrist bag – A sweet, compact piece that fits your essentials. I lined it with white TAV fabric offcuts and gave it a sleek black zipper.
- A box bag – Soft and perfect for toiletries or travel.
- A quilted tote bag – This one was a real experiment. I combined whale plastic with pieces from a turtle float my friend Julie from the Flying Turtle Café gave me. It was tricky — and halfway through, I decided to make the second side completely different!
The Transformation Begins
Marisa asked if I could turn the whale into two bags: a The Leilani and a Tote Bag for Gracie. Once I made the first cuts, the vision started to take shape. The hardest part? Choosing the front side — it always is!
Sewing plastic is tricky, but with every bag, I’ve learned new ways to make it work. Because these pieces were so meaningful, I took extra care to get everything just right.
Lessons, Mistakes, and a Sleeping Cat
(25.11.2020)
Sewing the recessed zipper was tough — you can’t press seams with plastic. I had to mark the plastic with red to follow the lines, but that led to an unfortunate mistake: the back no longer fit the front. I ended up redoing the panel to make it perfect.
Just as I thought I was done, I realized I’d twisted the zipper panel inside the lining — one hour of unpicking later, it was sorted. Meanwhile, our cat Kater decided the outer shell was the perfect napping spot. Typical!
Despite all the hiccups, The Leilani turned out beautifully — with pockets, a recessed zipper, and a whole lot of heart.
The Whale’s Final Destination
(07.12.2020)
The last remnants of the whale were lovingly used to create:
- A lunch bag (Marisa had a special request to include the tail),
- And even a bookmark — a tiny, thoughtful detail to carry a memory into everyday life.
And just like that, the little whale found a new home — transformed, repurposed, and deeply cherished.
