Hello! My name is Chris Hall Murphy, and I’m the founder of Simply Classic.
For me, sewing has always been more than a hobby. It’s been a journey — one that started in my teenage years, when I created my very first hand stitched stuffed animal. It was a stuffed dog that sat on my bed for years to come. That journey has led me here, to Simply Classic.
Our Story: How Simply Classic Got Its Start
Sewing is my passion, but it hasn’t always been my career. For 30 years, my husband and I were partners in our CPA firm. During that time, I found that functional and sophisticated handbags at an affordable price were hard to come by. I turned that into a personal challenge to create my own at a fraction of what they cost in retail stores.
The first bag I made was the AllyBee, a bucket style bag that can be worn as a shoulder bag or a sling. My inspiration came from a Brahmin bag that I fell in love with, and I was excited to create my own version. When I created the AllyBee, I knew I wanted to focus on craftsmanship — the quality that comes from creating with passion, care, and attention to detail. And it was a success! When I carried my AllyBee, I got compliments from friends, families, and strangers — and there’s something so gratifying about saying “Thank you, I made it!”
In 2020, I took the leap and started a business selling handcrafted bags and accessories. I quickly realized, however, that my true love was the design process. That’s when I began writing and selling my patterns, creating YouTube tutorials, and hosting in-person classes to educate others on how to create their own one-of-a-kind handbags.
When I founded Simply Classic, I had one goal: to create a community that inspires sewists of all abilities to explore and nurture their passion.
Over the past four years, Simply Classic has grown into something truly unique. It’s more than a small business; it’s a community of sewists and friends. We’ve also expanded our store from a few varieties of faux leather in 2020 to hundreds of products today, including:
It has been a joy to bring Simply Classic to life, and I’m excited to connect with even more makers with this blog. I’ll be sharing tips and tricks, hosting Sew Alongs, and giving a behind-the-scenes look at Simply Classic. Stay tuned!
Join the Simply Classic Community
Even though our small team (including my dog, Jed) operates out of a workshop in Appling, Georgia, we are so grateful to be surrounded by an incredible community of makers from all around the world.
So, whether you’re a seasoned sewist or just starting out, I invite you to join us on this journey. Together, let’s explore the world of sewing and chic handbags, one stitch at a time.
Congrats on the success of your dedication and true ability to teach Simply classic bags with such style.