Okay, so I’ve been eyeing this PRADA Symbole Tote Bag for a while now, but the price tag? Ouch. So I thought, “Why not try to make one myself?” I’m not a professional seamstress or anything, but I’m pretty handy and I figured it couldn’t be that hard. Right?
First, I gathered all my materials. I found some pretty decent-looking faux leather fabric online that looked similar to the PRADA one. I also needed some sturdy lining fabric, thread, and some heavy-duty needles for my sewing machine. Oh, and the pattern! That was a bit tricky. I ended up using a basic tote bag pattern I found online and then modified it to match the shape and size of the Symbole Tote as closely as I could. I also bought some metal rings and a magnetic clasp from a local craft store. I felt like I was in a movie, getting all my materials and preparing for the project.
Cutting and Sewing
Next, I started cutting out the fabric. This was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. I didn’t want to mess up and waste the fabric. I carefully followed the pattern, making sure my cuts were clean and precise. I also cut out the lining fabric and the pieces for the interior pockets.
Then came the sewing. I started with the interior pockets, sewing them onto the lining fabric. Then, I sewed the lining pieces together to form the inner bag. After that, I moved on to the outer bag. I sewed the faux leather pieces together, making sure to use a heavy-duty needle and a strong stitch. This part took a bit longer than I expected. I accidentally sewed one of the sides on backward and had to rip it out and redo it. Ugh, frustrating!
The Handles
The handles were a bit of a challenge. I wanted them to be sturdy and look as close to the original as possible. I ended up using some heavy-duty webbing and covered it with the faux leather fabric. I carefully sewed the fabric onto the webbing, making sure it was secure and wouldn’t come loose. I attached the handles onto the bag using double stitches. Then I installed the metal rings on the handles. It looked pretty good!
Finishing Touches
Finally, I sewed the inner lining to the outer bag, leaving a small opening to turn the bag right side out. After turning it, I carefully hand-stitched the opening closed. I also added the magnetic clasp to the top of the bag. I stepped back and took a look. It wasn’t perfect, but it definitely looked like a tote bag!
All in all, it was a fun and challenging project. It definitely took longer than I thought it would, and there were a few hiccups along the way. But in the end, I ended up with a pretty decent-looking tote bag that resembles the PRADA Symbole Tote, and it cost me a lot less than the real thing. It’s not perfect but I’m pretty proud of it. I would say it’s a success for sure. Would I do it again? Maybe… if I get another crazy idea!
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