Okay, so, I saw this PRADA Symbole Tote Bag at a specialty store the other day, and I was like, “Wow, that’s nice, but also, wow, that’s expensive.” Then it hit me – why not try to make one myself? I mean, I’m pretty crafty, and it couldn’t be that hard, right?
First things first, I needed to find some materials. I hit up a bunch of local shops but nothing, then I hit up a friend who helped me to find a leather, some sturdy fabric for the lining, and some hardware that looked similar to the original bag. It took a while, but I was determined.
Next up, the pattern. I couldn’t find anything for this exact bag, obviously, so I spent hours studying photos online. I mean, I was staring at these pictures of PRADA bags, 123 items on sale from, like, $1, all kinds of websites. It was intense. Finally, I sketched out a rough pattern, taking measurements from my laptop screen, using my notebook and pen. I also found some fabric, and a zipper. It’s not easy!
Then came the cutting and sewing. Let me tell you, working with leather is no joke! It’s tough, and my sewing machine was definitely not happy. There were a few mishaps, some broken needles, and maybe a little bit of swearing involved. But I kept at it, seam by seam.
- I cut the leather pieces, making sure to double-check every measurement.
- Then, I sewed the lining, which was surprisingly easy compared to the leather.
- Putting it all together was the hardest part. Getting those clean lines and making sure everything lined up perfectly was a real challenge.
Finally, after days of work, it was done! My very own, hand-made version of the PRADA Symbole Tote Bag. It’s not an exact replica, of course. There are a few imperfections here and there, but I’m so proud of it! It was really hard, and I even thought about giving up a few times. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.
Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was also a really fun and rewarding experience. Plus, I saved a ton of money! And hey, now I have a unique bag that no one else has. That’s pretty cool, right?
This whole thing has taught me to try new things, even if they seem hard. You never know what you might be able to achieve.
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