Stitch

Picked up a beautiful leather wallet to use as a gift in a white elephant gift exchange. This gift was definitely stolen a few times! Everyone in the group wanted this beautifully made leather wallet. The store is packed with tons of products, from iPad sleeves to wallets to handbags, and the NC State student working at the counter was incredibly friendly and helpful. Such a great spot to pick up quality gifts!

Walk past the corner storefront like me… And even if I didn’t intend to stop in here, the display was retro chic for a collection of synthetic materials-​based carrying cases like totes, wallets, clutched and purses.
The designs are simple but aesthetically pleasing with bold colors, laser-​edged looking cuts and cut-​outs and practical prettiness. Buttons, snaps, straps and fasteners highlight simple functions with tasteful appeal.
In the back of my mind, I planned to shop for a new clutch. This shop transferred back burner to front burner, and along the way, a small bin of half price items even materialized a small impulse buy. Black straplet with star cut out– why not?!
Super utilitarian décor with the cutting and sewing area a major portion of the space.
Love the ease if cleaning and caring for the vinyl materials! Cool? Definitely.

I think i read a review that poo-​pooed these bags calling them designer «plastic bags» or something along those lines. Before you start thinking, well, they are cute but maybe they’re right, let me lay out my logical, awesome argument of why these bags ROCK!
I’m like any girl, I love cute fun bags. But I want something cute for EVERYDAY use. Truly, I’ve never been much of one for «name brand» and have cringed at the thought of spending more than $ 20 on a bag… and many women i know will throw down hundreds *cringe*. So you’re probably wondering why am i an advocate for Holly Aiken bags? Simple… well, simple logic for me anyway. The problem I have with most designer bags is you pay hundreds of dollars for a cloth purses that will not sustain well in the world of wear and tear. So you say, get leather! Leather is defiantly a better option for the wear and tear department, but not so easy to clean and maintain sometimes.
You see I work in the healthcare industry. I am in and out of my car, and in and out of people’s homes multiple times a day. I need a bag that i can throw in and out of my car, have confidence that it’s still going to look good in a year, and that I can wipe down with alcohol wipes after i’ve been in a home that is less than ideal conditions, and know that it’s not going to start melting away, or dry out and crack making my investment less than worthy. on top of all that, I still want something fashionable and cute to carry… why should I have to compromise? I want cute, fashionable, durable, and in reasonable price range… I WANT IT ALL! :D
Enter Holly Aiken bags made at Stitch! Made from backed vinyl, these bags give the appearance of something like leather, while still making it throw-​aroundable, and sanatizable. (i like making up words!) For a reasonable expense.
The bags available at stitch are above your wal-​mart/​target price range, but still well below the other high end name brands that are out there. Making it an affordable investment for Social Workers and the like. let’s talk about price per wear. I spend $ 100 on a bag and use it for a year, that’s only 36.5 cents a day, and this bag will still be around in a year, and STILL look good… awesome, which means after 2 years it’s only 13.7 cents a day.
Now let’s discuss the super cool stitch philosophy. You can go in and pick something super cute that is already made, but if they don’t have the color combo you’re looking for, you can go in and pick any bag you like, and any of their 12 (i think) designs and they’ll hand you a stack of color choices, and you can make your combo specific to you,…the bag you want, with the design you want, in the colors you want… and the best part… THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE!!! WHAT??? GENIUS! the price on the bag is the same price you pay if you buy it off the shelf or if you get it custom made… THAT IS AMAZING! how many places have you been and tried to customize and they have all those «extra» charges to tack on… NOT HERE! :D YEA!
They’ll even have your bag ready in 2 weeks for pick up! (And before you think what?! 2 weeks! let me just say I sew stuff, and 2 weeks is a dream! I would have thought they would have said at least 4 – 6 weeks!!!)
In Summary: Cute Bags for EVERYDAY use! Fun and fashionable, reasonably priced, customaizable for no extra charge, durable, cleanable, and totally lovable!

Cooooool! Huge Windows with looks like the 70’s Only Much Cooler Bags hanging in the Window and from History… Painted on one window it says «Ladies Shop»! Scott Loves Romona so we are Going IN!!!
BAGs ! ! ! Great Designs! Cool Shop! BAGS! Made in Raleigh! Made Right Here!!! Also I found a Phone Case and they do have some less feminine Colors (Black)!
«Build» your own! choose from Styles Design and Color Combinations! Surprisingly turn-​around time was less than two weeks!
We liked everything about what they had on hand and we thought a Bag a little Bigger than the one we liked most would be Perfekt! We inquired and the lady working here told us about a New Deign called «Auxiliary» coming in February 2014! We ordered it two weeks before Valentines and I Picked it up Valentines Day!

I visited Stitch in 2009 when they had recently opened up shop. I loved loved loved a bag that my girlfriend had, and wanted to support a local business. We went in and I custom ordered a clutch purse. Picked the colors, style, everything. They were super nice, and it was hard not to get more.
Since I was only in town for the weekend, they shipped my order to me. It didn’t take too long, just a couple of weeks. The coin purse was not how I wanted it, and when I contacted them about it, they were super accommodating and told me I should get the correct colors on it in a couple days. Sure enough, I did! And I didn’t have to return the one that came with the clutch originally, now I just have two.
I get comments about it all the time, and after so long, it’s seriously held up! This thing could probably go through anything. I love it!

What can I say about Holly & Stitch but bravo. She is a product of local NCSU and she brings a unique product & flare to downtown Raleigh. My first experience with Stitch came a little over 2 years ago, when a groupon brought me to Stitch (& Holly’s sweet dog) during a visit for the NHL All Star game.
As I am horrifically picky I browsed the entire store. Holly even showed me her work space upstairs. The colors and the detail she puts into every piece are second to none. As I am a HUGE Carolina Hurricanes fan I was needing a bag I could take to games when I was in town and hold up to the riggers of trudging thru an arena. I selected a grey & red messenger bag. I got so many compliments on it I had to put a link to Stitch on my facebook page so my friends could see Holly’s work for themselves.
Last year I returned and purchased a green wallet that came with a small change pouch. Considering both items are employed as workhorses in my day-​to-​day life and have held up very, very well. So well in fact that during a recent sale I ordered a custom bag from the website which arrived while I was out of town. The bag is perfection & will hold up well to the stress of my daily commutes to my job in downtown Portland.
If you are in the market for the out-​of-​ordinary a long-​term investment seek out Stitch. You won’t be sorry.

These bags and wallets are beautiful! The leather is amazing and her sewing is just outstanding. They make custom bags too, and they’re not that expensive for the quality of the work. Holly is sweet as ever & so are the girls working in there. I love supporting local artists and you should too! :)

I have to give Stitch a vicarious 5 stars, since it really didn’t do much for me, but my wife was ECSTATIC. Luckily for me, she doesn’t mind my guitars littering the apartment, since her sewing and art projects do much the same, and, as someone who loves sewing and design, she’s been following Holly Aiken since her days at ArtSpace, and has wanted one of her bags for quite some time. This worked to my advantage on her last birthday, as we commissioned a one off bag, just for her.
The sheer glee on her face upon receiving her new bag was enough for me to give Stitch, and Holly Aiken, 5 stars, and the durability of the bag is more than enough for me to suggest that anyone out there looking for a gift for his or her special lady ought to check this place out, she’ll be thrilled with it.

Love the concept, love Holly, love this place… it’s as simple as that.
As I was walking around downtown for the 4^th of July festivities, I was so thrilled to see Stitch was open for business on a holiday! I had a $ 50 groupon to use and was ecstatic when Holly told me I could pull it up on my phone (as I wasn’t prepared in bringing it with me). She is so kind and laid back and she let me shop without being pushy or eyeing my every move, which is common in small retail spaces.
You can feel the love that goes into every bag — each one I picked up had it’s own personality making it incredibly difficult to make a decision… I liked them all for different reasons. I really wanted a style/​color combo that she didn’t have in stock. She said she could custom make any of the styles with any of the colors. She showed my a large key ring that has approx 30 or so color swatches. If I don’t like any of the current color combinations, I could pick exactly what I wanted with the swatches… wow — oh and at no extra charge I might add. I went with a teal/​orange combo I’d seen on other bags, just customized it to the particular style of bag I was looking for which is the FOGG — a single strap small tote with snap closure. The turnaround time is approx 2 weeks for custom orders. I can’t wait to get my new bag… and I have a feeling it won’t be my last! I will feel proud to carry my new Holly Aiken in knowing that I’m supporting a local business and a super cool artist!
If you’re not in the market for a new bag, she has tons of accessories that are genius. Taking the same design as her bags, she creates coffee cup sleeves, wrist cuffs, ipad covers, iphone covers, key chains, and even wine bags!!! I didn’t look at all the prices, but the wine bags are $ 22 — what a perfect way to give a nice bottle of wine as a gift!
Bags range from $ 83-​$ 112 depending on size/​shape. The material is antimicrobial and antibacterial protected and cleaning is easy peasy!

I came by here just on my way out of town after getting my hair done and after having been told to stop in by my dad I couldnt resist. My mom an I went in am while some of the styles wernt my thing just cause I like a large bag not always a thin one. But they surprised me, I loved the diaper bag and if I could custom it with an over the shoulder strap I probably would have bought it. I did by a clutch and a shoulder bag with for my mom though. They are sleek and very beautiful. Great staff and you get to see them making bags right there in front of you. Loved it and will be back.

Have purchased a few things from them online and at the store… always find great gifts, the staff is friendly, helpful, and outgoing. Not sure why some people have said they were not. My family and friends have always love the bags and the gift packaging is a huge plus. Keep up the good work. My mom loves getting comments from random people about her bags.

I am highly disappointed with my experience with Stitch. I have been coveting a bag from there for a while now after some raving reviews from friends and saved some money to purchase one. (That is another thing to note, these bags are not cheap! I have no problem paying for quality but I expect service to match.)
I walked to the store from my office downtown and was having trouble picking which bag I wanted from all of the choices. The woman at the store said I could also order a custom bag with the colors I wanted. So I left to decide which colors and style. When I retured I learned that a custom bag was an additional $ 20 and they would not honor a discount that I found online. I was told it would take at least two weeks and that I had to pay now. I ordered the bag anyway. I never received any confirmation of the choices I made, so I had no idea what I would receive when I picked up the bag. I left with a bad taste in my mouth.
When I returned to my office I called the store and spoke with Holly. She listened while I explained what I was upset about but her answer was that she didn’t think they had done anything differently for me than any other customer and the other customers were happy, dismissing my concerns. I wanted the bag but asked for a refund.

I laid eyes on my first Holly Aiken bag from across the concourse at the Raleigh Durham airport. The sleek lines, the bold colors, the irresistible mod retro stylings… I had to know who made it, so without looking left or right, I made a beeline to its owner. I knew from the moment I saw it that I would own one. Having said that, it’s not going to be a surprise that this is a glowingly positive review because I *love* this style. However, my review of Stitch isn’t limited to the style of the bags, but reflects the entire experience, as it should. I’ll even go so far as to say I’m a bit put off by complaints that people just couldn’t find anything they like or that there’s not enough variety… I’m happy to have Holly do what she does so well that she doesn’t feel the need to dilute her style with unnecessary clutter.
From her website:
«Though her line has evolved over the years, Holly has remained true to her original vision, which is to provide uncomplicated bags using distinctive, indestructible materials. Influenced by colors found in dime store isles and vintage racing jackets, Holly’s bags are primarily made from vinyl and bold black webbing trim, accented by stripes or crisp geometric shapes. Her color palette is slightly retro and always just right. Every one of Holly’s bags is made in the USA (aka: Raleigh, NC) and has been lovingly constructed with precision and care to withstand the daily grind.»
If mod-​retro isn’t your thing, then you shouldn’t be surprised when you leave empty handed. If you aren’t willing to pay a tiny bit more for a gorgeous bag that is locally made by hand than you would for a low-​quality mass-​produced bag made in China, then don’t waste your time. (Seriously, her bags are incredibly reasonably priced, from $ 80 for a slimline single strap tote to $ 150 for a large messenger bag or $ 180 for a massive diaper bag, not to mention the awesome accessories, including iPhone cases, iPad sleeves, business card wallets, and more!)
Holly’s bags are unique, interesting, durable, well made, versatile conversation starters. Her shop is adorable, quaint, clean, uncluttered, easy to find and chock full of locally produced products. She and her sales person (and Rey-​Rey, Holly’s dog) were friendly, unassuming, non-​pressuring, laid back and genuinely interested in the guests in the shop.
If you love mod-​retro, great service, supporting small business, and locally-​produced products, make it a point to get to Stitch. And take a friend.

I love Holly Aiken.
I could leave this review at that, but I figured you would want to know more.
First, she is a staple of local shopping for Downtown Raleigh. Her store, Stitch is super fun! Her dog hangs out on the shop and is super chill. Any shop that has a dog hanging out is my kind of place.
I have three of her bags and a clutch/​wallet, and they are all different and versatile, depending on my need. I read Marin J’s review and am surprised because if you ask Holly to make a bag with a different design or color, she will. Maybe some are not aware of this, all you have to do is ask. Her bags are a bit pricey but for custom bags that will last practically forever, it’s a steal!
Holly Aiken’s bags are super sweet and are made of various colors of vinyl and are trimmed in black webbed material that make them super strong and a breeze to clean. I have used mine for travel, work, and out on the town. You can be in another state and spot a Holly Aiken bag and know that you have found a connection to Raleigh and it is oh so fun! You can also visit some downtown bars and find her vinyl coasters.
Love this place!

Oh sweet, sweet stitch. I want so much to give you a fourth star. I want so much to buy something from you. But I can’t. Because you seem stuck on two designs on the front of your bags. Each time I try to want a bird, but I can’t. I try hard to like the little pussy willow shapes on the other bag, but I can’t. Sigh, so I go out empty handed each time. No. I persuaded a friend to buy something. I love your colors, I love your swagger. I love the bunchy buckle hook thingy on the snow white bag I fingered this evening during First Friday August. But still, still could you please maybe change up the fronts from GTO stripes or caged bird silhouettes to something that will finally break me of my age old habit of fingering and leaving your lovely items?
please?
p. s. I got a camera strap as a gift, love it. Just wish it had grommets attached.

So maybe I didn’t get the whole Holly Aiken thing… designer plastic bags aren’t really my thing, but no biggie — you can’t win them all. Cool points for ingenuity.
They did however have two really cute dresses, both black, both on mannequins, both without price tags. Bummer, with no sales person in sight, I left Stitch empty handed.

Got my first Holly Aiken bag years ago as a gift and I’ve been fascinated by her designs and her business’s growth ever since. I happened to be downtown grabbing some lunch today and caught site of her unmistakable handbags in the window of the storefront we were passing.
I’d heard she’d relocated her operation but hadn’t seen the place in person yet. Stitch is everything I loved about the old store (an array of sturdy, modern accessories in all the colors of the rainbow) with the added bonus of local clothing and jewelry. While the classic designs abound, I spotted some spankin’ new ones that I’m already itching to get my hands on.
I mean… um… give as Christmas gifts.

The store used to be in GloSo, but I guess the folks over there couldn’t handle all the hipness. Now occupying the old Ladies Shop (a former womens’ clothing store that was in this location for decades) Stitch is — as far as I know — the only new retail shop to open downtown since the Fayetteville Street Mall was removed.
I, personally, do not purchase a great quantity of womens’ handbags and accessories. However, I do find the stuff in Stitch to be pretty attractive, and would definitely buy some of it if I were so inclined.
The price tags can be a little steep, but nowhere near as much as big designer labels. And you’re supporting local business and local creativity, so that’s totally worth it in my book.