Honestly, I’m looking for some help. A while back I did a post on vintage Filson bags, and the image below was submitted. Besides this being an amazing duffle, it was the monogram that I couldn’t forget. For me, an investment in a Filson bag is money spent on bags that will last me a lifetime. I have a collection that I’m proud of, and still have my eye on a few more. That said, why not personalize?
In a recent East Dane sale, I pulled the trigger on this large zippered Grab N Go Tote for ~$100. I have the original tin cloth tote and use it quite a bit, but the appeal of a larger tote, pared with a zipper and a ton of stuff to carry around for my heir, I couldn’t say no. Upon receipt of the bag, I married the two: my new tote with a monogram from the vintage bag. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the results:
This is where I need your help. I’m seriously interested in getting a monogram machine, but I don’t know ANYTHING about them. I’d like a machine that can do monograms like this on bags and HJS’s overalls, and very small monograms on dress shirts and sweaters. I’ve seen quite a few on Amazon from Brothers, etc, but I have no idea what I’m doing. Any monogram machine experts out there? PLEASE let me know what I need to do…
Hire monogramming out to a professional, with the right equipment, would be my advice. Like many things in life, less is more. Carefully pick the items for your initials because not every single article of clothing warrants it. Mrs. RCS is no doubt busying herself with smocking and hand monogramming for the little one anyway. I like the Filson bag with initials though. Just $0.02 worth from a seventh generation Georgian.
I agree. Less is more when it comes to monogramming. I like on the back of watches, SOME oxfords when it comes to placement, and some bags/luggage and always on wallets or money clips. When it comes to shirt placements – it becomes gaudy like the guys who want to look like they make more than they do. Make things more neutral and hidden and less noticeable.
Brother PE770 5×7 inch…Bought this for the bride 2 years back. Works great on kids cloths and bags. Not the best for intricate logos but does great on simple designs and letters.
Kinda a random thought when it comes to the Filson bags. I do think they are really cool, but i’ve lost the want for duffle bags. I used them all through college and didn’t think about using anything else. I’ve recently got a more legit suitcase and I honestly can’t see myself going back to the duffle bag. Everything stays folded, it can be organized, and everything has a place. Do you use duffles for most all travel and everything stay looking nice?
GOPOKES .. great point – would add to that by saying I learned an expensive (trite) lesson once. The Filson zipper. Pulling a nice sweater thru a duffle and catching it or raking your hand to remove it ala The Operation game 🙂 They look great on a blog —> but they are heavy and not practical for packing nice clothing for a trip – I would also challenge anyone to say they were happy lugging a filson bag around an airport (or a long walk thru a city) It just doesnt happen unless a casual two day trip. As I hit my forties I found myself relegating them to a pretty “closet collection” aside from a daily 257 briefcase etc etc that i beat to death. I almost wish they would uplevel the functionality by creating bullet proof heavy cordura type options (versus their “pending heavy discount on East Dane thin cordura collection they have now made overseas).
Plus – i spent extra $ adding actual functional buttons to the bags so crap doesnt fall out or the sides dont billow out when lightly loaded. Done AT the Filson seattle store of all places.
Back to point – The totebags are actually what I use the most to throw crap in, a terrific value spend.
100% agree with this. Just yesterday I used my Filson Sportsman duffel bag on an overnight trip and thought, again, how sloppy a duffel of any make really is. The Filson pullman that opens up a la clam shell and has straps to hold folded items securely is the only real Filson option as far as I’m concerned.
Last year was a light year for me, I only traveled about 150 days for work and I only travel with a Filson medium duffel and my 256 briefcase. Packing cubes and shirt folders are key to avoid zipper issues.