So, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on a Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag for a while now. I mean, who hasn’t, right? But the price tag… ouch! It’s way more than I’ve ever seen. That’s when I decided, “Why not try to remake one myself?” I’m not a professional or anything, but I’m pretty handy, and I love a good challenge. Plus, I figured it would be a fun project to document and share with you all.
First things first, I needed to find some Saffiano leather. It’s that tough, textured stuff that Prada uses. Apparently, it’s genuine leather that’s been treated and embossed to give it that signature look. I did some digging around online and finally found a supplier that sold it by the yard. It wasn’t cheap, but it was still way less than buying the actual bag.
Once I got the leather, I started analyzing the design of the bag. I looked at a bunch of pictures online, focusing on the details like the two rolled top handles, the adjustable handle wrap, and that iconic enamel triangle logo. I even found some info about how it usually comes in different colors, or sometimes two colors at once. Fancy!
I then started sketching out the pattern pieces. I’m not gonna lie; this was the most challenging part. I had to figure out the dimensions, the curves, the seam allowances… It took a lot of trial and error, but I eventually got something that looked somewhat like the real deal.
Next, I cut out the leather pieces. Man, working with leather is tough! It’s thick and doesn’t like to cooperate. I used a rotary cutter and a heavy-duty needle on my sewing machine. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to get all the pieces cut out without too many mishaps.
Sewing the bag together was a whole other adventure. I had to go slow and be super careful, especially when attaching the handles and the zipper. I used a strong thread and made sure to reinforce all the stress points. It took a few evenings, but I finally managed to assemble the whole thing. And it was tough – I think I broke like 5 needles on that thick leather!
- Finding the Right Logo: I searched everywhere for a replica of that enamel triangle logo. No luck. So, I got creative and made my own using polymer clay and some enamel paint. It’s not perfect, but it does the trick. I just baked it in my kitchen oven at a low temperature. It was kind of a pain to get it to look right, so I just took my time with it.
- Shoulder Strap: The bag is supposed to have an adjustable and detachable shoulder strap, so I made one using some extra leather and some metal hardware I found at a craft store. It turned out pretty good! It was pretty easy to just loop the leather through the hardware and stitch it in place.
The final step was adding the lining. I used a soft fabric I found at a local fabric store. I hand-stitched it to the inside of the bag, which was quite a task, but it gave it a nice, finished look. And it protects my stuff from getting scratched by the rough interior!
And there you have it! My very own RemakePRADA Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag. It’s not an exact replica, of course, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s a good size, and it definitely has that luxurious feel to it. Plus, I saved a ton of money by making it myself. If you’re lookin’ for a good bag, one that’ll last ya, this might be just the thing, though it did take a heck of a long time to make.
I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s surprisingly sturdy, and it holds all my essentials. I’ve even gotten a few compliments on it! Not bad for a DIY project, right? Let me know what you think in the comments!
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