“Damn the man, save the empire!”

…Personally, my favorite line “I tried to kill myself with a Lady Bic. A pink plastic razor with daisies on it and a moisturizing strip.”

As I began making record totes - designed specifically to hold 20 vinyl records - a fellow elder millennial with a mutual (un)healthy adoration for the 90s contacted me about doing an Empire Records themed record tote. With complete creative control, I put the very timely classic on and began drawing the first things I latched onto. The most obvious was the Empire Records giant neon sign atop the building.

Next was the color, it needed to be the electric blue of the dvd release. This color is amazing, even better against the black twill liner.

The most enduring part of this was carefully editing the references to include, then plotting their placements. I lucked out on Liv Tyler’s skirt with a random piece of fabric from my stash. The straps could only be complete with Marc’s outcry of “Shoplifter!”, though the chef’s kiss is the quarters sewn to the bottom of the bag. Why? I don’t have to explain my art to you, Warren.

Machines used:
Singer 20-U-33 - embroidery
Juki Mo 6704 Serger - construction
Singer 99 - secure construction stitch & top stitch

Blue Dye Recipe:
1 bottle Aquamarine
6 tablespoons Royal Blue