Alright, so I got this thing for bags, right? And I’ve been itching to try my hand at recreating one of those fancy designer ones. I finally decided to go for it and picked the PRADA Medium Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag. You know, the one with that triangle logo that screams “PRADA”? Yeah, that one.
First, I spent hours just staring at pictures online, I looked up “Galleria bag,” and “Saffiano leather,” trying to get a good look at every angle, every stitch. This bag, it’s called “timeless,” whatever that really means. But I guess it’s a classic, and I see them everywhere, so I must recreate it. It’s got this grainy leather, they call it “Saffiano.” Feels kinda tough, should be interesting to work with.
Then I started sketching, trying to break it down into pieces. The front, the back, the sides, the bottom, the handles… all the panels. It looked way more complicated when I really looked at it. And that little triangle logo, I spent a whole afternoon figuring out how to recreate it from a flat metal sheet. I finally cut a metal plate for this, using my tin snips. And I do it by hand.
Next up, the leather. I hit up all the leather stores in my area, searching for something that looked and felt like the real deal. I compared like a million different types, asking the store guys a bunch of questions about “full-grain” and “cross-grain” and whatever. They are all genuine leather, but I need to choose the one which best suits my project. Finally, I found a piece that seemed close enough, and I bought it on the spot. I cut the leather carefully, following my sketches, praying I didn’t mess up. This stuff is expensive, you know? No room for error here.
- Sourcing Materials: Finding the right leather was a real pain. I visited like five different leather stores before I found one that felt and looked right.
- Pattern Making: Drawing out the pattern took forever. I used some cardboard to make templates.
- Cutting the Leather: This was nerve-wracking. I used a super sharp rotary cutter and a metal ruler. No mistakes allowed!
- Assembling the Bag: Sewing the pieces together was the hardest part. I used my grandma’s old sewing machine, and it took a lot of patience.
- Adding the Hardware: I got some metal buckles and rings from a craft store. Attaching them was tricky, but it made the bag look more legit.
Then came the sewing. Oh boy, the sewing. My grandma had an old sewing machine, and I spent days just practicing on scrap leather, trying to get the stitches straight and even. It’s way harder than it looks. I broke a few needles, cursed a lot, but I kept at it.
Slowly but surely, the bag started to take shape. I sewed the panels together, added the lining (which I got from an old shirt, don’t tell anyone), and attached the handles. I even managed to attach that little triangle logo, which made me feel like a real pro.
The Final Touches
Finally, after weeks of work, it was done. My very own “PRADA” Galleria bag. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. The stitches are a little wonky in places, and the leather’s not exactly the same as the original. But you know what? It’s mine. I made it. And it actually looks pretty darn good if I do say so myself. I even took it out to the mall the other day, and a lady asked me where I got it! I just smiled and said, “Oh, this old thing?”
It is a great experience, and I’m definitely going to try making another one of these designer bags. Maybe a Fendi next time? I heard they also hold value pretty well. Wish me luck!
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