Patience May is a small British brand creating heritage fabric bags from a home studio in the Shropshire countryside.

The name dates back many years to a children’s clothing label I founded in Herefordshire, with the encouragement and small financial backing of my aunt, Kay Mayhew — hence Patience May. I trained formally as a dressmaker, and fabric has always been part of my life. Although my working career took me away from sewing professionally for nearly thirty years, it remained a constant creative thread.

Everything changed after a trip to Nepal, where I discovered extraordinary silk and cotton textiles. The craftsmanship, colour and durability of those fabrics reignited my passion for making. I began researching what people truly value in a bag — and the answer was refreshingly simple: classic shapes, made properly, from beautiful materials that last.

Today, Patience May produces limited-run duffle bags, totes and packing bags made from carefully sourced fabrics, selected locally wherever possible. Each piece is individually cut, machine constructed, and finished by hand. This is small-batch making — not mass production — supporting traditional craft skills and attention to detail.

The materials are responsibly sourced and chosen for longevity. Bags can be sponge cleaned and are made with a “buy once, buy well” philosophy at heart.

No two are ever exactly the same.

Every bag is made slowly, thoughtfully, and with pride.

Thank you for supporting a small, independent maker.