{Click for big}

I made these bags twice. At first they were too fussy. What I really wanted was something simple, humble, pretty. The bags work. They hang well, are strong, and feel good, with a bit of body and a bit of slouch. And I love the cotton upholstery florals, I hunted for them for a while… Mint with tiny roses. Big luminous flowers on midnight black, like flowers in moonlight. A muted circle of dusty roses on tan. My favourite lilac floral fabric. And lemon-lemon yellow with big pale pink climbing roses too. That one just glows. The interior is lined in light grey with a single big pocket.

{Click for big}

I was obsessed with the handles being florals that encircled you and not the regular flat handles. So I made these rounded cotton filled handles, very easy on the shoulder. I love the idea of tubes of flowers. I found matching embroidery thread and hand whipstitched them together from end to end, and hand embroidered the swan logo.

{Click for big}

{Click for big}

The wood swan charms were made for me by The Wood Garden. They work with “wood from sustainably farmed hardwood trees”. I think the swans are beautiful. They feel great, and the more they are handled the better they will look. They’re tied on with a little fabric loop. Something about threading the flowers through the wood swan, I love that too. I guess I am a little bit in love with these bags.

{Click for big}

So yes, finally a tote from me for summer!

Find them in my SWANclothing store.