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Evani Ribeiro

"When I started making patchwork bags in my house's laundry room, I was looking for an activity with which I could have fun and would help me earn some extra money. Never had I imagined that one day my hobby would become a vocation and that my products would reach all corners of the world.

"I worked as a teacher for many years, and retired when was 45 years old. I tried a variety of new activities to keep me entertained, like breeding escargots, baking cookies, and finally patchwork.

"I began making bed covers by recycling jeans, which I would buy at charity institutions. I would wash and stitch them to make my pieces. My friends and family loved my work and became my first ever customers.

"My family has been very supportive and they encouraged me to go to a Patchwork Festival in southern Brazil. That was back in 1990. I took some of my items and received many compliments that motivated me to take some courses to improve my work.

"After this festival, I decided to formalize my hobby into a profession, since demand for my products increased. Soon enough I had to get another woman to sew and assist me to keep up with the demand for my products. In 1997, I received an order of 200 pieces for one of my products and three years later, we were five people working together. By 2005, my products were widely received and several boutiques throughout Sao Paulo feature my bags. Now our small workshop has a team of around 20 people working together.

"At present I have designed about 26 different bag models. I work with the cotton canvas that once covered trucks. I wash and treat them before converting them into trendy bags. My patchwork designs are inspired in our culture, and some of my pieces feature the Brazilian flag."