Frequently Asked Questions

stripykat by Katie Brown is an on-line boutique selling unique handmade bags and accessories to the most discerning individuals around the globe. Katie designs everything herself and makes each item by hand. Each handmade accessory is unique and Katie only makes one of each design.

stripykat's headquarters are in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, so Katie is happily inspired by both traditional Scots influences and the good old cosmopolitan metropolis.

"Look into my eyes, not around the eyes"! No hypnotism involved - honest.

All stripykat products are designed and made by one person in one place. Katie doodles the design, draws out the patterns, cuts out the fabrics, sews them all together, takes the photographs and, most importantly, makes the coffee.

Buying a stripykat product is buying something unique, quirky, handmade and made with the love and attention it deserves.

Indeed Katie can. Katie tells no lies when it comes to this! Each bag is unique in fabrics, colours and finishings. Katie drafts each pattern herself and then makes each item one at a time so Katie can continuously monitoring the quality and uniqueness throughout the process.

The overall shape of a bag may be the similar to another, but that's where it ends. If you buy a stripykat bag or accessory you are not following the crowd, but creating envy amongst the crowd.

Katie sources fabrics from all around the world - this makes sure you are not going to walk past someone with the same fabric. Katie has found some bright, fun, unusual and quirky fabrics from designers including Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Robert Kaufman and Amy Butler. Some genuine retro fabrics are also a source of inspiration.

No - in this wonderful interconnected world of ours, you can find everything on this site and, of course, you can look at Katie's products at her stockists listed here.

Katie would love to hear from you, so please click on the Contact Katie link at the top right for Katie's phone or email details.

stripykat endeavours to recycle everything it possibly can during the manufacturing process. All the paper Katie uses is either 100% recycled or FSC certified. Katie encourages you to recycle any packaging once you have finished with it. Katie also uses email as much as possible to help save the odd tree.

There is a selection of stripykat products available to look at and buy in Katie's stockists listed here.
Katie also frequently appears at craft fairs around Scotland - keep an eye on the site for upcoming fairs. Happy shopping!

Katie's Bernina sewing machine does the all hard work. Katie's lovely Bernina was made in March 1967, so for a 42 year old gal, she's doing exceedingly well.

Apparently it's the Aston Martin of the sewing machine world - is an Aston Martin the Bernina of the car world then?

The official way to spell it is all in lower case, one word and with a "k". It's not Stripey Kat, Stripy Cat, StripyCat, Striped Cat or any other the myriad versions Katie has seen!

These icons allow you to quickly add a favourite product to your Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon or Delicious social networking or bookmarking profile. Handy for making subtle hints for presents!

For a bag or purse the length is taken from the top of the body of the bag to the base. The width is, well, the width at the widest point - and the height is the total length of the bag from the top of the handle to the base of the bag.

For a scarf there are only 2 measurements. The length is taken from the longest point and the width is taken from the widest point.

All the measurements have been rounded up or down to the nearest cm, so no confusing decimal points here!

First is length, second is width and the third is the height.

Why yes! Just navigate to the RSS feed and add it to a news reader, like Google Reader. New products are listed automatically at the top of the list as soon as they arrive on the site. If you haven't a clue what an RSS feed is there's a great guide on the BBC web site. Or simply ask a friendly geek!

There is indeed a newsletter that you can sign up to. Click here and type in your email address and Katie will send you an email to confirm your address.

Once you are listed you will be sent the latest newsletter automatically. Don't worry, Katie is far too busy to be writing them every day, so you won't be pestered by stripykat. Katie usually writes one each month and it's a great way of keeping up-to-date with new products that have arrived on the site.

Yes, just click on the small thumbnail and a bigger version will pop up. If you're unsure about the size, shape or fabric of any product just drop Katie an email. Click here for Katie's contact details.

Of course! Katie ships nationally, internationally, around the corner, over the hills and far away.

Yes it is - Katie knows an awful lot about accessories but nothing about 128 bit secure socket encryption (who does?) so all the payment processes are outsources to PayPal who know an awful lot about security (but, funnily enough, not a lot about handbags).

They handle all payments through world-class secure systems, so rest assured your details are with the best people!

Regardless of the size of your order, postage to UK addresses is £2.50 and international orders are charged £5.00.

Orders are sent in the UK by first class Royal Mail, which takes up to 2 working days. International orders may take up to ten working days. If in doubt or you're in a wild rush please contact Katie.

When Katie receives your order Katie will email you to let you know. Your order will be logged into the stripykat system and will keep you up to date on its progress. If you have any queries at any time just drop Katie an email.

Your order will be sent to you by Royal Mail first class post or air mail, depending on where in the world you are. Every order is carefully wrapped in tissue paper (with the price label taken off - in case you're giving it as a present) and put into either a box or jiffy envelope.

You can indeed - click to Your account and log in with the user name and password you set up when you ordered your product to get the latest updates. Katie will also email you to keep you informed of your order's progress.

Yes, yes Katie does and you can click here to have a look at it. Essentially you can return things to Katie in the same condition as she sent them to you within seven days and she'll give you a full refund.

Though Katie hopes you will like her lovely handmade stuff and so you won't have to return it.