About me & Chi Chi

My grandmother taught me to sew on her treadle machine when I was young (very, very young). It was so exciting to learn how to create something unique from a piece of fabric. I made my own clothes in high school and went on to alterations, dressmaking and wedding gowns for clients over the last 40 years or so! I fell in love with upholstery and drapery fabrics while working for an Interior Designer doing pillows, bed skirts and window treatments. I have studied interior design for years as I have traveled with my husband's work to different parts of the country. Chi Chi was started when I made bags for my nieces Kristi and Jamie. They loved them and I loved making them. I also liked the idea of keeping all of the bags original and one-of-a-kind design. In 2006 I started to make tote bags with fabric I had collected through the years and bringing them to local art & crafts shows to sell. The response has been more than I could have hoped for! As much as I enjoy making these bags, I have enjoyed all the people I have met on this journey even more!

If you have seen Chi Chi bags at an arts & crafts show, or purchased one from me, you know to LOOK INSIDE!!!! I give the interior of your bag as much effort as the exterior. All of my designs are lined with satin that has been reinforced, like the upholstery on the outside, for stability and durability. I have just as much fun choosing the lining as I do the purse fabric. Sometimes the lining is meant to be bold and sassy, sometimes it is meant to compliment and blend with the exterior fabric. I put as many pockets as will fit on the inside. There are zippered compartments in the larger bags.

Contact Info

Carol Lovenbury Griffin
(704) 708-5278
carol@chichiofcharlotte.com

Chi Chi Bag Facts

All of my bags are original one-of-a-kind designs that are handcrafted by me, in my workroom, from the finest quality fabrics available.

All outer fabrics are upholstery weight, unless stated otherwise, and reinforced for shape and stability.

Each piece of fabric has it’s own personality that pretty much dictates the design from rough sketch to the final embellishments.

Trims and embellishments may include new and vintage buttons or pins, covered buttons, leather straps and flaps, fringe or whatever suit’s the design.

Linings are poly/satin that has been backed for durability and stability. All of my bags have pockets and/or zippered compartments depending on the size.