New (smaller) Swift Colors

[backpack]

I just got a Punch/Wasabi medium Cafe Bag to help store my current cross-stitch projects. The color combination is really fun. It is working pretty well with my bead box and scissors in the interior pockets. I plan to put extra needles in a mini organizer pouch and I was able to get some of the kits into a medium organizer pouch. I wish there was an intermediate size of organizer between the medium and the large that would fit in the Cafe Bag. I did consider a Swift, but I liked the the full closure and size of the Cafe Bag. I am seriously tempted by the Small Swift, though! Backpack- I am in awe of your collection!

In order to protect my projects further, I slip in a Shoulder Bag/Packing Cube inside the Swift that goes outdoor with me. It acts as an extra roomy center pocket with a small pocket on the side.
Very, very handy on car, bus, metro trips.


Knowing that the factory makes small batches of various colors, my advice is:
If you see a bag you loooove in a color you can't live without, grab it, Now!

I suggest setting up a Tom Bihn fund or aggregate it with the hobby fund.
That is what I do.

I love cool colors but lately, the warm color persons have been winning the
overall number of bags coming in their favorite shades.

So warm brunettes and red heads, please jump on those olive combos!

There have also been warm and cool color combos, something for everyone, and especially the yummy Cork.
What's not to like about a fabric which look like a chocolate/caramel brownie with chocolate icing, is ecologically friendly, give work to many people, help animals in native habitat and... looks good with both cool and warm color outfits?

[Abita]

Ooooh, it will come in cork! You've made me so very happy. :-)

(I've been hitting the blog a few times a day all week with my fingers crossed.)

[Darcy]

I just got a Punch/Wasabi medium Cafe Bag to help store my current cross-stitch projects. The color combination is really fun.

That's a great color combo - one of my favorites!

[mboytim]

I just got a Punch/Wasabi medium Cafe Bag to help store my current cross-stitch projects. The color combination is really fun. It is working pretty well with my bead box and scissors in the interior pockets. I plan to put extra needles in a mini organizer pouch and I was able to get some of the kits into a medium organizer pouch. I wish there was an intermediate size of organizer between the medium and the large that would fit in the Cafe Bag. I did consider a Swift, but I liked the the full closure and size of the Cafe Bag. I am seriously tempted by the Small Swift, though! Backpack- I am in awe of your collection!

[backpack]

Hey Backpack! I also have a plum/punch swift! I love it to pieces!!!
Am I reading your post correctly? Do you have THREE swifts? Wow! You are a collector. I'm planning a Smaller Swift and an Empire Builder (English teacher---ohhhhh the paperwork). I'd love a cafe bag but cannot decide which size. The punch/wasabi is sort of calling out to me

Oh no! I have 4 Swifts Plum/Steel, Plum/Pink, Pink/Steel and Sapphire/Black.
I am missing the Plum/Punch Swift.

I also have a Lux, the discontinued ancestor of the Swift in Black/Grape.


I have been a needlework enthusiast for a very long time, I use plastic canvas of various shapes and sizes and cotton yarn in skein and cones.

Finding a nice way to organize my needlework supplies was impossible until I found the Lux. I believe it came in my third order with a Grape Aeronaut, right before Grape was discontinued.
I ordered 2 Grape Kit in the same order, I usually order by color, easier that way.

Most of my pieces are letter size so they also fit into a Brain Bag, however, they may not fit when framed, I haven't tried it yet.

I also just started to make an even bigger size piece which is bigger than legal size so the Grape Aeronaut is going to come handy to store the bigger framed pieces together.


I love my Swifts, I have used the Plum/Steel and the Sapphire/Black as a second bag, the first bag is usually a Large Cafe Bag in Plum or Sapphire.

When I go to the library or used book store, I stock up on non-fiction books which are either out of print or I could never be able to buy new.
I am an avid reader but I don't have the space nor the funds to buy lots of books.

I have also used the Plum/Steel and Sapphire/Black Swifts as second traveling bags on car and train trips.


I got all those bags in the space of 5 years, for the Holidays, my birthday and anniversary present.
Easier for my husband to figure out what to get for me.


Drat, I forgot to address the Cafe Bag size, I have 3 Large and 2 Small.

The Small can fit Medium size Pouches, 1 or 2; it also fit Junior size notebooks or notepads, and a couple of more Small or Mini Pouches.
It is a perfect cute purse.

The Large can fit Letter size documents and that is why I got mine in the first place.
I used to carry a tiny backpack/purse but I always had to bring another bag which could fit my letter size documents.
I got a lot of novelty cloth or nylon bags but I was always afraid they would fail if I added something I bought at the discount clothing store and/or a couple of items from the drugstore. I used public transportation and I wanted to make my trips to the city count.

Tom Bihn bags have brought me peace of mind and a stylish way to carry my stuff without looking like Obelix carrying a couple of menhirs.

[Mea]

Plum/pink!

Hey Backpack! I also have a plum/punch swift! I love it to pieces!!!
Am I reading your post correctly? Do you have THREE swifts? Wow! You are a collector. I'm planning a Smaller Swift and an Empire Builder (English teacher---ohhhhh the paperwork). I'd love a cafe bag but cannot decide which size. The punch/wasabi is sort of calling out to me

[backpack]

While I'm sure this is already a "done deal" I'm sending out a hope/prayer that the smaller Swift will have a couple of girly-girl colors. I know a lot of gals aren't "girly" but I definitely am and love purples, pinks, etc. Regardless--I'm still planning a purchase but, hey, it can't hurt to put in my 2cents!

Also--Is this what it's being called, the "smaller swift?" That seems so incongruous with all the cool names for other Bihn bags.

The Cafe bag comes in Small, Medium and Large sizes, I see nothing wrong about the Small Swift denomination

I would hope for girly colors as well, I am a real fan of pinks, purples and blues.

I have a Small Cafe Bag in Storm, a light blue and Punch, a strawberry pink.

I also have a Large Cafe Bag in Plum/Steel which I coordinate with a Swift in Plum/Steel. I houses the current "needlework on the go" project and other travel by car necessities.

My Plum/Pink and Pink/Steel Swifts house my corresponding colors yarns, they stay home,


I would love to see Small Swifts which coordinate with Small Cafe bags or Ristretto for netbooks/tablets.
With the advent of tablets, smart phones, e-readers and portable Apple toys and the opportunity to work on smaller needle art project, a Small Tom Bihn Bags pair would be ideal for spring, summer and early autumn strolls in cities parks, university campuses and small boutiques shopping districts.

[mboytim]

Bright colors for the small swift

I agree with you, Mea! I would love to get one of these for my mom, and as she is a breast cancer survivor, a bright/ hot pink color would be great. She also loves purple. I am keeping my fingers crossed for some bright colors.

[Mea]

While I'm sure this is already a "done deal" I'm sending out a hope/prayer that the smaller Swift will have a couple of girly-girl colors. I know a lot of gals aren't "girly" but I definitely am and love purples, pinks, etc. Regardless--I'm still planning a purchase but, hey, it can't hurt to put in my 2cents!

Also--Is this what it's being called, the "smaller swift?" That seems so incongruous with all the cool names for other Bihn bags.