Meet Julia Cunningham and her Handmade Scottish Bags & Accessories Created in the Borders Since 2006
About Julia Cunningham Design
Julia Cunningham is an independent Scottish handbag designer and maker based in St Boswells in the Scottish Borders. Since 2006, she has been designing and handmaking distinctive handbags, purses, scarves and accessories inspired by the rich heritage of Scottish and British textiles.
Working from her garden studio, Julia creates every piece herself, combining traditional fabrics such as tweeds and tartans with practical design, carful construction and a distinctive sense of character. Her work celebrates textile heritage while bringing a contemporary and individual approach to everyday accessories.
Known for her attention to detail and personal service, Julia creates accessories that are practical, durable and full of personality. Her guiding philosophy is simple: heritage with a twist, handmade with care, creating bags designed to make you smile every day.
The Story Behind the Business
Julia's journey began long before her business was established. She learned to sew as a child and developed her skills through years of making, guided by knowledge passed down through her mother and grandmother.
After training as a Home Economist and gaining professional qualifications including a BSc in Home Economics, Julia launched Julia Cunningham Design in 2006. Since then, she has dedicated her business to creating handmade bags and accessories that reflect the character, craftsmanship and stories found in Scottish and British textiles.
Over nearly two decades, her collections have evolved continually as she discovers new fabrics and design possibilities. Rather than producing large-scale collections, Julia works in small batches, carefully selecting fabrics in limited quantities and often creating one-of-a-kind pieces. This approach ensures that each design retains its individuality and allows customers to enjoy accessories that feel genuinely personal.
Pincushion I made in the early 1970s
Scottish Textiles at the Heart of Every Design
The fabrics Julia works with are an important part of each product's story.
She specialises in Scottish Borders tweeds, tartans and quality British textiles sourced from respected mills and manufacturers including Lochcarron, Lovat Mill, Harris Tweed producers, Linton Tweeds, Marton Mills and Bute Fabrics.
Many of the fabrics Julia chooses are vintage, surplus or end-of-line materials. By incorporating these fabrics into new designs, she gives beautiful textiles a fresh purpose while preserving their character and craftsmanship. The limited availability of these fabrics often means that designs are produced in small numbers, making many pieces unique or available only for a short time.
The result is a collection of bags and accessories that combine heritage, individuality and thoughtful design in a way that cannot be replicated by mass production.
Meet the Maker
When you buy from Julia Cunningham Design, you are buying directly from the person who designs and makes your bag.
Julia personally designs, cuts, assembles and finishes every piece from her studio in St Boswells. She also works directly with customers, offering advice on fabrics, discussing bespoke commissions and helping people choose designs that suit their lifestyle and personal style.
This direct connection between designer, maker and customer is a fundamental part of the business and allows every customer to receive informed, personal service from someone with extensive experience in textile design and construction.
Qualifications
BSc in Home Economics from Queen Margaret University
HNC in Social Care
City & Guilds 730 Further Education Teaching Certificate
Julia Cunningham Japanese poster for the Hanku Department Store British Fair 2015
International Recognition
While firmly rooted in the Scottish Borders, Julia's work has gained recognition far beyond Scotland.
She has been invited to demonstrate her craft at the prestigious Hankyu British Fairs in both Osaka and Hakata, Japan, where she represented Scottish craftsmanship and showcased her handmade textile accessories to international audiences. read more about Julia in Japan
Her work has also been featured in promotional filming for Japanese audiences, and today her bags and accessories are enjoyed by customers across Scotland, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States and Japan.
Julia works with a couple of companies one in The Falkland Islands where she produces bags and gifts for a Farm in Bluff Cove using tweed made from their sheep’s wool which is woven into Bluff cove tweeds in Scotland. Julia then makes bags gifts and accessories in this tweed to be sold to visitors to the Falkland islands who visit from cruise ships for beach penguin walks.
Julia also makes her bags for Scotland shop, a company that sell many beautiful things in tartan they have shops in America, Edinburgh and Crief, their products are made to order and are sold worldwide.
Despite this international reach, every piece continues to be designed and handmade in her garden studio in St Boswells.
Clutch bags in Bluff Cove Tweed for the Falkland Islands
Signature Designs
Several of Julia's designs have become customer favourites and reflect her distinctive approach to combining practicality with personality.
These include:
The Peerie Poak
Inspired by Scottish words, culture and everyday life, these designs showcase Julia's belief that accessories should be both useful and enjoyable to carry. Each combines practical features with distinctive fabrics and thoughtful details that help express the individuality of the person using it.
A wee Fantoosh in Mixed Tartans
Why Choose Julia Cunningham Design?
Choosing Julia Cunningham Design means choosing more than a handmade bag.
It means choosing products designed and made by an experienced Scottish maker. It means supporting traditional textile skills and British manufacturing. It means enjoying carefully selected fabrics with genuine provenance and character.
Customers choose Julia's work because they value:
Handmade craftsmanship
Scottish and British textile heritage
Distinctive small-batch designs
Practical everyday functionality
Thoughtful use of vintage and surplus fabrics
Bespoke options and personal commissions
Direct, friendly customer service
Accessories with individuality and personality
Whether you prefer understated elegance or colourful character, Julia creates bags and accessories that help women express their own style while enjoying products designed to be used, loved and appreciated for years to come.
