Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to remake this Prada Galleria Saffiano leather bag for a while now, and I finally got around to doing it. I’m talking about the small version, which is super cute, by the way.
First off, I hit up the official Prada website to get a good look at all the details of the original bag. You know, checking out all the angles, the stitching, the hardware, that kind of stuff. They have all the pictures and descriptions, making it easy to see what I was up against.
Then, I started looking for the right materials. I needed that Saffiano leather, which is like, the signature look for this bag. It’s real leather that’s been treated and has this special texture. It’s not like regular full-grain leather that changes over time. Saffiano is supposed to stay looking the same. I found some good quality stuff, brown and red, just like the original bag I saw from their 2023 collection.
Next, I measured everything out. This is the tricky part because you gotta get all the dimensions just right, or the whole thing will look off. I spent a lot of time double-checking and triple-checking my measurements. This bag is small, so even a tiny mistake can be a big deal.
Cutting the leather was nerve-wracking! I used a really sharp cutter and made sure to follow my markings exactly. There are so many pieces to this bag – the front, the back, the sides, the bottom, the handles, the little strap, and all the inside parts, too. I cut all the Saffiano pieces and also some lighter material for the lining and the inside pockets.
Then came the stitching. I did most of it by hand because I wanted it to look really authentic. It took forever, but it was worth it. I used a strong thread that matched the color of the leather. For some parts, I used a sewing machine, especially for the inside where you won’t see it as much.
- Stitching the main body: This was the most time-consuming part. I had to make sure all the edges lined up perfectly and that the stitches were nice and even.
- Attaching the handles: The handles are made of rolled leather, so I had to stitch them together first and then attach them to the bag. This part was a little tricky.
- Adding the hardware: I got some good quality zippers, buckles, and the little Prada logo plate. Putting those on was like the finishing touch.
- Constructing the inside: I sewed together the lining and the pockets and then attached them to the inside of the bag. I even added a little zipper pocket, just like the original.
Finally, I put it all together. Sewing the front and back panels to the sides and the bottom. It was like a puzzle, making sure everything fit just right. I added some interfacing to give the bag some structure.
The last step was to attach the strap. It is a simple, thin strap. I stitched the ends of the strap to the little D-rings on the sides of the bag.
Finished!
It took a lot of time and effort, but I’m really happy with how it turned out. It looks just like the real thing! And the best part is, I made it myself. There were some frustrating moments, for sure, but seeing the finished product made it all worthwhile. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I’m proud of it!
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