Wednesday, December 3, 2014

JIm Stewart of Fetters

I recently found a website created by Jim Stewart of Fetters UK and Mr. S Leather fame. It turns out he was quite an interesting character, based on the obituary in the Guardian. I had learned from my friends at Serious Bondage that Mr. Stewart was the creator of the sleepsack and straitjacket patterns that are still produced and sold by Fetters and Mr. S today. Mr. Stewart founded Fetters in London way back in 1976.
Maurice "Jim" Stewart passed away April 1, 2012.
I didn't know until now he also had a background in theater stage and prop design, as well as being an accomplished director and playwright. He also worked with Terry Gilliam to create the straitjackets used in the movie Brazil. I remember those!

 His site is being kept online in order to make it accessible to us all, and it does reward the intrepid explorer who isn't put off by the rather confusing link structure and old-school design. It very much feels like a work in progress by an enthusiast covering a wide range of BDSM sub genres: topics include chastity devices, sleepsacks and straitjackets, bondage escape challenges and lock-on clothing. And of course, Houdini. There are tantalizing bits of text in the site: placeholders and notes to himself, including: "Find images of original designs not previously in other supply catalogues." I sure would love to see what he's talking about there...

 I've highlighted a few links below to get you started:

 A History of Fetters
  Index page

 Bags & Sacks Index



 "Male" sacks


 So I like to get tied up, so what?

 Houdini Connections Home Page
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

10 comments:

  1. alphaxanonDecember 3, 2014 at 5:40 PM

    Thanks for this!

    I'd never heard of Jim Stewart, although Fetters is famous.

    I'll definitely be trawling through his website.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ChristopherDecember 3, 2014 at 9:20 PM

      Cool, just be careful. It's easy to get lost in there... =)

      Delete
  2. jacketboundDecember 6, 2014 at 8:21 AM

    Hi there
    Glad you find Jim's website - which I am now looking after. It is indeed a 'mess' - but JIm wanted it that way so you could get lost in it - not quite my thinking but he liked it that way. I am also trying to bring all his work into print. I have some books done and available from the various channels - and other books are in progress.

    I met Jim quite early on in my fetish life and he helped me work out that I was not mad and indeed should be true to myself and enjoy things. It's a shame more people do not know of Jim and what he did for the fetish world - but thanks to posts like this it all helps bring his name to a new generation of people out there.

    Thanks for the post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ChristopherDecember 7, 2014 at 9:00 PM

      It's very exciting to hear from someone who actually got to meet him, and please do keep me posted on your project to get his work into print. I'll be the first in line to buy a copy.

      Jim sounds like a brilliant, creative guy and a really decent person as well. Thank you for the comment.

      Delete
  3. jacketboundDecember 9, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    Thanks and I will keep you posted.
    We have some of his stories in print form already - and are planning on a larger book which combines everything together in one read, which will also have lots of background detail on him.
    If you excuse my plug, you can find some of his work at boundeditions.com now - or from outlets like Amazon, Kindle, iBookstore etc.

    Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ChristopherDecember 9, 2014 at 9:29 PM

      I've never seen the boundeditions.com website before, it looks like a lot of great things available there at first glance. I don't mind plugs at all for relevant work!

      Delete
  4. john.peter2December 10, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    For what its worth I spoke to jim several times and met him once, it was Jim who per my requirements made my black leather straitjacket. You know the one. http://fav.me/d4hmfju

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ChristopherJanuary 5, 2015 at 10:14 AM

      That is a great jacket, certainly a classic beautiful design. Thanks for sharing, John!

      Delete
  5. mittensJanuary 5, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    I had the good fortune to meet Jim - and knew him for many years , visiting often and he indeed helped me also through 'getting used to what your into' stuff. Some pics of me (hooded of course ) still exist on Jims 'rambling site' - some of the pics on my blog can be identified as set in Jims amazing playspace ... happy memories. Jim helped me work out the pattern of my sheepskin hoods - and I often think of those times when I am 'making a new hood' :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ChristopherJanuary 5, 2015 at 10:16 AM

      Wow, I didn't know you knew him too. So cool to know people who had direct contact with Jim. He seems like a great guy... Thanks Mittens!

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)