Okay, here is my sharing about remaking a PRADA logo tote bag:
So, I saw this PRADA tote bag the other day, the one with the triangle logo all over it, made from that Re-Nylon stuff. It looked pretty cool, but let’s be real, the price was, well, let’s just say it was a bit much. But, I really liked the style, so I thought, why not try to make something similar myself?
First, I needed to find some materials. I didn’t have any Re-Nylon lying around, ha-ha. I’m not a person who would buy luxury goods easily. I just wanted to find something like black recycled nylon, and it wasn’t easy to find a good replacement for calf leather. Anyway, after searching around, I found some durable black fabric that’s kind of like nylon and some faux leather that looked decent.
- I went to a few stores that sold fabric and some online shops to get this black nylon-like fabric.
- Also, I needed some material to mimic the calf leather, so I looked around for some black faux leather.
- I sketched out a design based on the PRADA bag. I tried to get the triangle pattern right.
Next, I started cutting the fabric. I’m no expert at sewing, but I do have a sewing machine that my grandma gave me. I measured everything twice (or maybe three times, ha-ha) and cut out the pieces for the bag, including the triangle patterns. I tried to make it look like the PRADA bag, but it was tough to get the triangles perfect. I have to say that PRADA’s craftsmanship is very good, and I couldn’t copy it completely.
Then came the sewing part. This was the trickiest part. Sewing the main body of the bag wasn’t too bad, but getting the handles and the zipper right took some time. I messed up a few times and had to use the seam ripper more than I’d like to admit. I wanted rolled top handles, just like the original, and an enamel triangle logo, although I knew I couldn’t get it exactly right. I also wanted an internal zip-fastening pocket, for practical reasons. I mean, who doesn’t need extra pockets, right?
After many hours of work, I finally finished. It didn’t look exactly like the PRADA bag, of course. I mean, I don’t have their machines or skills. The design is paneled, and I did my best to add a little padlock detail, just for fun. But, it had the same vibe, and I was pretty proud of it. Plus, I saved a ton of money.
It was a fun project, and I learned a lot. Would I do it again? Maybe. It was a lot of work, but it was satisfying to create something with my own hands. And hey, now I have a unique bag that no one else has. It’s not a PRADA, but it’s mine. It’s not that perfect, but I made it from scratch, and that’s good enough for me. In addition, I’m not a fan of the exorbitant prices of luxury goods. Doing it myself is really great.
Learnings
I learned that making a bag is way harder than it looks. If you want to try it, be prepared for some challenges. But, it’s also really rewarding to see the finished product. And, if you mess up, don’t worry. Just keep trying. You can also return those unused materials if they are not right for you. In the end, you’ll have something that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
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