Okay, so, I’ve been obsessed with this Prada Galleria Saffiano leather bag, the large one, for what feels like forever. It’s a bit of a splurge, but I thought, “Treat yourself!” So, I started saving up, you know, skipping the daily lattes and all that jazz.
Then it hit me. Why buy when I could try to make it myself? I’m pretty handy, I love a good DIY project, and wouldn’t it be cool to have a bag that I made with my own two hands? Plus, it would save me a ton of money.
First things first, I needed the right leather. Finding a good match for Prada’s Saffiano leather was a tough. I spent days, maybe weeks, going to different leather stores, and comparing swatches. Finally, I found this gorgeous piece of blue full-grain Saffiano calf leather that looked like the real deal, or at least, good enough for me. It was even thick and sturdy, just like the leather on the original bag.
Next up, I needed a pattern. Since I couldn’t exactly take apart a real Prada bag (way out of my budget!), I studied a bunch of pictures online and sketched out my own pattern. I used some old cardboard to make a template, and once I was happy with the shape and size, I got to work cutting the leather.
Cutting the leather was nerve-wracking! One wrong move and I’d have to start all over. But I took it slow, double-checked every line, and eventually, I had all the pieces cut out. Sewing the pieces together was a whole other challenge. My sewing machine was not happy, but I kept going, nice and slow. I used a heavy-duty needle and some strong thread.
Putting the bag together was like solving a giant puzzle. There were so many pieces, and I had to make sure everything lined up perfectly. I started with the body of the bag, then added the sides, the bottom, and finally, the handles. I even managed to find some gold-toned hardware that looked similar to the original bag’s. Added a zipper, some pockets inside. Boom. Done.
It took a few late nights, and there were definitely some frustrating moments, but in the end, it all came together.
The Result
- It’s not perfect, but I’m super proud of it.
- It’s definitely got that Prada Galleria vibe.
- It’s big enough for all your stuff. You could fit your knitting in there, maybe a little snack, your wallet.
- I learned a ton about working with leather, and I got a pretty awesome bag out of it.
My Final Thoughts
Would I recommend doing this? If you’re patient, good with your hands, and have some experience with sewing, then yes, absolutely! It’s a really rewarding project, and you’ll end up with a unique bag that you can be proud of. Plus, you’ll save a ton of money! It’s a solid remake of the Prada Large Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag. I learned a ton about working with Saffiano leather and what goes into making a high-end bag. Plus. If you’re not up for the challenge, then maybe just stick to buying the real thing. But where’s the fun in that, right?
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