Just went to the DI website and found this. Very disappointing. Sounded like American ingenuity at work when they decided to branch out.

May 14, 2009

It comes with great disappointment that I must announce Decorator Industries will no longer be producing drapes, valance boards, bedspreads, pillows and tents for the RV industry. This includes the manufacture and sale of DI Bags. Our last day of manufacturing will be on May 22, 2009. We will assist our customers in any way possible with your transition to another supplier.

After losing two significant customers in March 2009, we found it impossible to continue producing these goods at the greatly reduced volumes of our remaining customers.

Going forward we have decided to focus our attention on the pleated shade and pleated door products. Specialty Window Coverings has a long history as the market leader and we expect to maintain our leading position as the recreational vehicle industry emerges from the current down cycle.

We want to thank everyone for their support with the DI Bag project.

William Johnson

President

Their website says as of 5/22 they will no longer sell bags.

What a bummer...they really had something good going on there. I gotta commend them for trying though. More than most are doing.

Too bad they had to give up on this...the bags are great. I may go get a couple more before they are all sold! I have one already and LOVE it!

Why didn't someone in their marketing dept send one of the handbags to First Lady Obama? She is willing to spend $600 dollars on a pair of French tennis shoes. Let's do the math, @ $42 dollars a piece, she could of bought 14 bags at full retail. That's also $14 dollars to the food bank.

The news cycle would last apprx. 48 hours on her "stylish" choice of handbag, made in the U.S. no doubt, and the free advertising for DI would be worth millions of dollars.

Here's to Hope and Change!

Where they had the surplus fabric due to the lack of upholstery and other orders, then used it making purses rather than take the loss, just maybe purchasing more fabric wasn't in the cards. The sad thing is that they could have diversified their product line, affordable products for an entirely different consumer while still tending to their core business. Prices may have gone up, but a quality product, made in the USA is a rare item. And this production line kept jobs and even created a couple more. The wages those people earned in turn paid the wages and created more spending their community. There are lessons to be learned here. If you want to keep your job, your way of life, buy like your job, your life depended upon that purchase. Every time you spend your dollars on a product that is made off shore, a large portion of your dollars are shipped out of your town, so your community actually loses money and fewer people are employed with family wage jobs. If at all possible, buy local produce and grocery items. Low, low prices at national retail chains aren't in the best interests of your community. Sure, right here, right now it may sound like a good deal, but as more and more of your money leaves your town to those national headquarters who in turn pay the mfg's of those inexpensive products produced off shore, who wins? Not you, not me. Again, spend your money as if your job depended upon it, because it does.

Are there any "made in the USA" speciality stores? I was thinking that might be a good thing. Not as in "American Apparel" but rather shops that specialize in a "good" selection of made in the USA items. Sort of to contrast with the dollar stores which have a wide selection of imported China made items.

Oprah should still put the bag on her show. If the demand is there then they'd have funds to start up the project again. You could probably attempt to run it as a smaller scale project, but from a company standpoint the volumes might be too low. Any enterprising employees should probably get together and gauge market interest in selling these online/with a retailer?

I make and sell handbags in the Michiana area thru my website, Niles French Market, etc. I am able to create the same type of bag and would be willing to work with any business in the area on great price points. I can be reached by googling my business The Eclectic Bag Lady or call me 269-663-8019.

Going to stop making the handbags in a week or so. You'll still have fabric. Some may already be cut. Make up "kits" for the arts and crafts people. We are still buying lots of "stuff". The parking lots seem to be full and I still have to wait in line to buy items.

Just make up instructions and all the pieces that you already have. Check with one of the major craft stores locally and see how a sampling goes. I'll bet you'll have a winner. I would buy for sure. I liked the look from the picture you showed!

Contact the person in the previous comment. She'l probably be able to use the kits or at least buy the fabric from you.

If you make kits....you will still have jobs for the same people there.

I am also praying that you come up with an answer for all these people. I am also praying for each individual involved.

Getting some publicity on the Oprah show or the Today show would also be really big!!!!!

Mr. Johnson.....What a great story....lemons to lemonade.

UNTIL....you read on and learn you (the company) are folding the tent and going to rely on another almost-dead market.

Don't know who your Marketing genius is, but maybe it is time to think OUTSIDE the box. If I wasn't retired I'd make you an offer for the stock and rights to manufacture them.

Also think that in the current economy, MOST women will not spend that kind of money for a luxury item. Ms. Obama may have spent some big money on some silly athletic shoes, but I bet she won't be playing Jackie Kennedy or Nancy Reagan again, soon. The sewing and using one of your bags COULD become a real Patriotic status symbol with some clever marketing.

We can buy lovely fabric totes for a lot less, but KITS would be a great way to expand the market and appeal to the crafter-industry. They are NOT just purses but travel bags, carry knitting and hand sewing items. Get the picture?

Bring down the price, sell ONLY on line/mail order, or contact Ophra, Tyra Banks and other female oriented TV shows. Walmart, Kmart, Target, craft department buyers - get the idea? KITS: Michaels, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's etc. MADE IN AMERICA and BUYNG AMERICAN; PUTTING AMERICA BACK TO WORK - using LEGAL labor (yours)!

At least you are not sending them off shore to be sewn in some 3rd world slum for pennies a day.

Sounds like the previous poster (Ms. Henley) is smart enough to see the potential.

The DI bag will continue. It will be called the Original D I Bag. The sewers of these bags have been approched to come and work for the new company. I will continue to carry these bags in my store because nothing is really changing except for the location of the factory. The story is still the same. These bags will be made here and they will continue putting Michiana and America back to work. Donations to the Food Bank will still be made.

- Dawn Woods did not "Start" the bags, only put an order in for some bags for her brother. Get the story right.

You must be an attendee at the Church Kool Aid Party??. The New Company is NOT JOI BAGS. As indicated above in the article, The new company (manufacturing the Original DI Bags)has begun manufacturing and delivering and you can still purchase at all of the normal locations. So Yes the original DI bag will continue on - the Gingerbread Cottage lady is correct.

Joi Bags (while they won't tell you) is a group of folks from Grace Community. When they couldn't get their way with Decorator (ie - Decorator makes everything, but the cut of the profits goes 1st to the church, then to Decorator and its competitors (who the church was going to bring in - as they are members).

Isn't it weird that the "Outhinkers" at the Church, and the Church itself WON'T tell you that they are the "driving force behind" Joi Bags? And it is evident NO WHERE ON THEIR WEBSITE?? Verrrrry interesting. (And typical for this Church)

This is true. Dawn Woods is NOT the originater of the DI Bag. She is involved with a church that is making a simular KNOCK-OFF. They have even copied the DI TAG and copied the story. Dawn Woods never worked for Decorater Ind. although her husband did. Why there is so much confusion about these bags, is because for some unknown reason, Dawn Woods wants the credit for something she did not do. The Grace Community church is the "driving force behind " JOI bags , a clear and simple KNOCK-OFF of the ORIGINAL D I BAG.

We have been purchasing the DI Bags from their start and there is absolutely no connection between DI BAGS and the copy-cat church bag.

Rhiannonrea is correct in saying Decorator Industries is not involved in making the bags any longer. The bags have been handed over to a new company, M.E.W.S. by Design. They have hired several of the bag employees, purchased machines, fabrics and all remaining inventory from Decorator Industries. Rhiannonrea is not correct in saying that they are the same bag. The JOI BAG is not related to the "Original DI Bag" in any way and is far from the SAME BAG!!!!!!!!!!! THEY ARE THE JOHNNY COME LATELY!!!

The DI Bag was originated by a group of talented people from Decorator Industries. Dawn Woods was a part of this group but to say that she was the sole originator is a false statement. Dawn was instrumental in getting a bag into the hands of Mike Huckabee through a state representative. Credit should be given there since this took the bag nationally. That is where Dawn's part stops. She is a stay at home mom with eight home schooled children. She was only volunteering her time. She wanted nothing, nothing at all until she was not getting the press attention. The Outthink group is affilated with Grace Community Church. Pick up one of the church bullentins and it has all their information. I thought church was a place for worship, not for business.

If Dawn Woods and the Outthink group are truly looking as Christian as they claim, then why all the fuss? People are working, a good, quality product is being made in America and the DI BAG WILL LIVE ON!!!

The Original D I bags are still being made but the factory will be located in Wakarusa instead of Goshen. The same employees will be producing the same bag but in a different location. The DI bags were being made in the RV division of Decorater Industries and that division was closed. So to continue the production of the Original D I Bag a new location was needed. As I understand it ,there are some new designs and fabrics soon to be released. We are very excited to see what the extremely talented new designers have in store for us. The idea of having a fabulous new product being made here, in our own community, employing so many local people, is the best news we have had in a very long time. We would like to thank everyone who has purchased the ORIGINAL D I Bag from our store. You have not only supported our community by shopping locally, but you have also put Michiana and America back to work. Through the popularity of the Original D I bag ,can you imagine how many more jobs will be created. Our local economy will definitely feel the effects of this innovative creation of the Original DI bag, created by Decorater Industries and their hard working, talented employees.

I have no doubt that you would defend your Aunt to anyone and everyone. I believe we all would do the same. But do not let familial ties blind you to the fact that Ms. Woods (and your Uncle) appear to have shattered confidentiality with your Uncle’s employer for what appears to be the sake of elevation in the eyes of their church. In reading the blog entries on the church blog, it looks like “dawn and pat” met with the Outhinkers well before they notified Decorator Industries of their desire to partner with them. Interesting – and a real conflict of interest. I can’t believe that your uncle still has a job!

I appreciate that Elkhart needs to put its workers back to work – but coming in late to the dance, and claiming “the DI bag is now called the Joi Bag” does nothing but make me wonder what the true motivation of the Woods family and Grace Community could be (outside of being borderline illegal as to deliberately cause brand confusion)? I am not quite sure that the motivation is all that honorable, or above board. (Hey – maybe they could sell these in the Temple and do a little Money Changing while they are at it!!)

We were so happy to see all of the facts come out from truly knowledgeable people finally!!! Hopefully there will be no more lies and "Brand " confusion about the ORIGINAL D I BAG . As I have stated before, the new fabrics and designs will be incredible. I met Enid and Marla , from M.E.W.S. by Design, yesterday at Decorator Industries. Marla has a design background and is bursting with new ideas!! So glad to hear that the D I Bag party was a success!! All proceeds were donated to BREAST CANCER RESEARCH. How great is that?

We will continue to carry a huge selection of the ORIGINAL D I BAGS for a long time to come. Lots of good things will come from every bag that is sold. We wish only the best to M.E.W.S. by DESIGN and look forward to all of the new ORIGINAL D I BAGS !!!!

Hi deeflutterby! We are located at University Park Mall in Mishawaka,IN

Would love to have your business!

I stopped in yesterday at Gingerbread Cottage to see the bags, they are beautiful! I purchased one and can't wait to see what new things M.E.W.S by design will come up with. The ladies there said that M.E.W.S will be using new colorful fabrics, they will also be coming out with accessories, & - they have alot more ideas in the works. I loved the store "Gingerbread Cottage", what great things they have and I am all about shopping LOCAL!

Great customer service! I had no idea that we had such a cool "mom & pop" store in UP mall. It is my new favorite store :)

Has anyone heard when the new business will be starting up? Anxiously waiting to see what new designs and fabrics they have.