So I saw this PRADA Symbole Tote Bag online, and I thought, “Hey, I can totally make that!” I’m not about to drop a few thousand bucks on a bag, no way. Plus, I love a good DIY challenge. It looked simple enough, you know, just a big tote with some triangles. How hard could it be, right?
First things first, I needed a pattern. I couldn’t find an exact replica online, so I decided to wing it. I grabbed some old newspapers and started sketching. I measured my laptop, my water bottle, and all the other stuff I usually carry around, just to make sure the bag would be big enough. After a few tries, and a lot of crumpled paper, I finally had a pattern I was happy with. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked like a tote bag, so that was good enough for me.
Next up, the fabric. I wanted something sturdy, but also kind of chic. I went to my local fabric store and wandered around for like an hour. Finally, I found this thick, black canvas that I thought would be perfect. I also picked up some black thread, and some leather straps for the handles. I mean, it had to look somewhat like the real deal, right?
Then came the sewing part. Let me tell you, it wasn’t as easy as it looked. I had to borrow my grandma’s old sewing machine because I only had a basic one at home. The canvas was so thick, I broke a few needles. And sewing straight lines? Forget about it. My lines were all over the place. But hey, it was starting to look like a bag! After a lot of back and forth with the thread, I took a deep breath and moved to the next part.
Now for the triangles. I wanted to mimic the texture of the PRADA bag, so I cut out tons of little triangles from the leftover canvas. This took forever, seriously. I was watching Netflix while cutting, and I think I went through an entire season of a show. I planned to arrange the triangles all over the bag with some fabric glue. It was a long shot but I was willing to give it a try.
Attaching the handles was another adventure. I wanted them to be super secure, so I both sewed and glued them on. I even added some extra stitches for good measure. They ended up looking a bit messy, but at least they were sturdy. All in all, the handles were the easiest part of this DIY project.
When I finally finished, I stepped back to admire my work. It didn’t really look like the PRADA bag, not gonna lie. It was kind of wonky, the triangles were a bit off, and the stitching was, well, let’s just say it had character. But you know what? I made it myself! And it held all my stuff, which was the main point. It is a functioning bag after all.
- Step 1: Sketched a pattern based on my everyday carry items.
- Step 2: Bought thick black canvas, thread, and leather straps.
- Step 3: Sewed the bag using a borrowed sewing machine.
- Step 4: Cut out lots of canvas triangles.
- Step 5: Sewed and glued the leather straps for handles.
So, would I recommend this project? If you’re looking for a perfect PRADA replica, then no. But if you want a fun, challenging project, and you’re not afraid of a little imperfection, then go for it! Just be prepared for a lot of work, and maybe a few laughs along the way. And remember, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey… and the wonky, handmade bag at the end of it. I am not going to lie, I felt proud and had fun during the process.
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