It begins with a treasure hunt – I set off in search of treasure, which I know I will always find, at three (a list that is ever growing) of my favourite fabric stores here in Cape Town. (I never make it to all three as I usually blow my budget in the first one). I then head home and lay the fabric out on the floor and sit with a cup of warm coffee and take in the smell, texture, colour and patterns of the fabrics.

Soon the fabrics are paired off into their ‘bag stories’. I either then migrate to my sewing machine for the rest of the day or head off to visit my team of sewing ladies (pic below).

From Left to right: Zerina, me with the flu and Fatimah

I explain each bag combination to them and help with the cutting of the fabric. They then usually kick me out of their little house (as I’m a painful perfectionist) and tell me to come back later. A few days later I meet up with them and I have the gold from the bottom of the rainbow slung over my shoulder!

It is the best feeling to see a bag finished. Then I take it home, to the place it all began. Once home, I fill a lavender pouch and tie the ribbon and tag on. Then its photograph time and to my computer where I arrange for it to be put next to its sisters and brothers in stores or online…or both. From here they go to you and a whole new story begins.