Mickey and mercy rollerskate young love order coffee quilted cross body crossbody tote bag handmade

This is the 3rd of a series of five or order so bags that are from fabric made in South Africa, depicting modern life after apartheid and images that blend the old life and the new life in super funk and festive images, the stories that center on a few specific relationships. This one is Mickey and Mercy, they are young love, independent and owning this world. She's rollerskating and he's going to his office. STUNNING IMAGE, powerful and unapologetic.

Flanked on the side with linen panels of cutlery, printed by the family from where I bought the fabric, their own heirloom pieces photographed and silkscreened. So cool. I love this. The bottom is beautiful metallic wax print from my best friend in Cape Town, who so graciously gave me a few yards of her personal stash. She knew I was in love with this fabric.The back is vespas, those super sexy gorgeous vespas, fabric from Spain.

I design these as the fabrics speak to me. It's a narrative that plays out as I make them. Every little square is placed as the story rambles on. They are stories and as I sew each one, the narrative comes alive. I feel like I know these people on my bags and I can see their lives. It's a total joy making these.

All these bags measure more or less about 16 ish inches long, 14 ish inches wide and the straps average about 40 ish inches long. Some bags are smaller and some maybe an inch or so bigger. They are lined with pockets on the inside and I have started to use some stabilizer to give them a little more body, but not a lot. The pockets are handy for your glasses, keys, mobile or wallet. Yes. Super handy. These bags are just big enough to slide your laptop in it. I will post some pictures after I finish them with my macbook pro to give you a visual.

The fabric is scoured from all over the world. It's a passion and a mission, and I can't stop making these. They're my paintings and stories. And they make the BEST BAGS. Once you have one and use it, you'll know what I mean.

These are made with love and care, so when you wash them, do the same. I do delicate cold wash, with woolite or something like that, and dry flat. Then a nice iron (and maybe a spray of starch) will restore your bag in beautiful condition. But wash them carefully and with a color catcher, because some fabrics from Africa might run a tad. (Has happened to me :)