Okay, here is a blog-style breakdown of how I remade the PRADA Medium Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag, posted on my online store.
So, I’ve been obsessed with Prada lately. You know, their designs are just timeless. I saw this Medium Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag and I thought, “I gotta have it!” But then I saw the price tag… Ouch! So, being the resourceful person I am, I decided to try and make my own version. I had some ideas from reading stuff online, like the stuff about Prada’s new collections and archive stuff.
First things first, I needed the materials. The original is made of Saffiano leather, which has this cool cross-hatch texture. I found some pretty decent leather online that looked really similar. It wasn’t exactly the same, but hey, close enough! I also needed some hardware, like buckles and rings, and of course, the iconic Prada logo. Finding a good replica of that took some time, but I managed to source one that looked pretty legit.
Next up, the pattern. I couldn’t find an exact pattern for this bag anywhere, so I had to get creative. I studied a bunch of pictures of the Galleria bag online, paying attention to all the details like the size, the shape, and how the different panels were stitched together. It took a few tries, but eventually I made a paper pattern that I was happy with. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a good starting point.
Cutting the leather was a bit nerve-wracking. I didn’t want to mess it up! But I took my time, followed my pattern, and it actually went pretty smoothly. Then came the fun part – sewing it all together! I don’t have an industrial sewing machine, so I just used my regular one. It was a bit of a challenge, especially with the thicker parts of the leather, but I made it work. I saw some ads about “Re-Nylon” but decided to stick with leather for this project.
- I started by sewing the main body panels together.
- Then I added the sides and the bottom.
- The handles were a bit tricky, but I managed to get them attached securely.
- Finally, I added the lining and the hardware.
The whole process took me a couple of weeks, working on it here and there in my spare time. It wasn’t easy, and there were definitely some frustrating moments, but seeing the finished product made it all worth it. I even saw some discounts for first-time buyers on some websites, which made me feel even better about making my own.
The Result
Okay, so my bag isn’t exactly like the real Prada Galleria bag. But it’s pretty darn close! I’m really proud of how it turned out. It’s got that same classic look, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. Plus, I saved a ton of money by making it myself! I’ve already gotten a bunch of compliments on it, and people can’t believe I made it myself. I’m thinking about making more bags in the future, maybe even trying out some other Prada designs. This whole experience has been really fun and rewarding. And who knows, maybe I’ll even start selling them! It’s like having a piece of that “best selection of brands” they talk about, but made by me.
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