Okay, so I was looking at this PRADA Symbole Tote Bag in the specialty stores, and man, it’s beautiful, but the price? Crazy! So, I thought, “Why don’t I just make one myself?” Yeah, that’s a good idea, right? I mean, how hard can it be? It’s just a tote bag!
First, I looked up the actual bag online. I needed to get a good look at it, you know? I checked out a bunch of websites and spent a lot of time on Pinterest. There’s a lot of stuff there, you can find all kinds of things. I wanted to see every angle, every detail. I looked at the stitching, the fabric, the handles, everything. I even saved some pictures on my computer so I could zoom in and really see what’s what.
Then, I needed to find the materials. That was a bit of a hunt. I went to a few local stores. It was not easy, you know, to find fabric that looks like the one on the PRADA bag. And the hardware? Forget about it! Those little metal bits are so specific. I also looked on the internet for those things. I found this website called Banggood where they sell stuff from Europe. But I found it a little bit complicated to use. I also tried to search for some local businesses online to see if they have what I want. I did not know about the website called 2BA before, but I am not sure they would have what I need for this.
Finally, I managed to get some fabric that’s close enough. It’s not the same, but it’ll do. The color is a bit off, but who’s gonna notice, right? As for the hardware, I had to compromise. I found some similar-looking pieces, but they’re not exact replicas. But hey, it’s a DIY project, not a perfect copy.
Next up, the sewing. Now, I’m not a professional seamstress or anything, but I know my way around a sewing machine. My grandma taught me a few things when I was a kid. It took a while, but I started putting the pieces together. I cut the fabric according to the measurements I took from the pictures. I pinned everything, then started sewing. There were a few times I had to rip out some seams and start over. It was frustrating, but I didn’t give up.
The handles were tricky. I wanted them to be sturdy, just like the real bag. I spent a good amount of time trying different ways to attach them. I ended up sewing them on and then reinforcing them with extra stitching. I think they are strong enough to carry some stuff.
And then, after hours of work, it was done! My very own “PRADA” tote bag. Okay, it’s not exactly like the original, but I’m pretty proud of it. It’s a bit rough around the edges, but it’s got character, right?
- I looked at the real PRADA bag online.
- I found materials that were close enough.
- I sewed the bag together.
- I made some handles and attached them.
- I finished my own version of the bag!
I guess the lesson here is, if you want something bad enough, you can try to make it yourself. It might not be perfect, but it’ll be unique. And you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you made it with your own two hands. Plus, I saved a ton of money! This bag probably cost me less than 50 bucks to make. Not bad, right? Maybe I’ll even start a new trend. Who knows?
Click to consult