Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project I’ve been working on. So, I’ve been totally obsessed with the YSL College bag lately. You know the one, right? Super classy, goes with everything, but man, that price tag! I decided, “Why not try to make one myself?” I mean, I’m pretty handy, and I figured it couldn’t be THAT hard, right? Famous last words, I know.
First things first, I spent hours, and I mean HOURS, staring at pictures of the bag on the official YSL website and some other online boutiques. I zoomed in on every stitch, every piece of hardware, trying to get a feel for the construction. I took notes on the size, shape, materials, everything. I printed out like a million photos to use as a reference.
Next, I went on a major materials hunt. Finding the right leather was a real pain. I wanted something that felt as luxurious as the real deal, but wouldn’t break the bank. Let me tell you, I went to every fabric store in town, feeling up leather swatches like a crazy person. Finally, I found one that I thought was pretty close. It was a real struggle, but I persevered.
- Leather: After days of searching, I got a beautiful, soft black leather that felt just right.
- Lining: I found a nice, sturdy fabric for the inside, in a matching color, of course.
- Chain and hardware: This was tough. I ended up ordering some online, hoping for the best. It was a bit of a gamble, but it turned out okay. It was hard to find something that looked high-quality but wasn’t super expensive.
- Thread: Got some strong, waxed thread for stitching.
Then came the scary part: cutting the leather. I made a pattern based on my notes and the photos I had, and let me tell you, cutting into that beautiful leather was nerve-wracking! I measured like ten times and cut once, hoping I wouldn’t mess it up. I was sweating bullets, man!
The actual sewing was a whole other adventure. I used my trusty old sewing machine, which I’ve had since forever. It took a lot of patience and a lot of seam ripping, let me tell you. Some parts I even had to hand-stitch because they were too tricky for the machine. My fingers were so sore by the end! But seeing the bag slowly come together was super satisfying.
Adding the hardware was the final step. The chain, the YSL logo, all those little details. I wanted it to be perfect. It was actually a lot of fun. Attaching the logo just felt so…official, you know? This was maybe the most satisfying part of the whole thing. Seeing it all come together was wild!
Finally, after what felt like forever, it was done! My very own, handmade YSL College bag. It’s not perfect, of course, there are a few wonky stitches here and there, but I’m so proud of it. It may be a little rough around the edges, but I made it with my own two hands! I did it!
It was way more work than I ever anticipated, but also such a cool experience. I learned so much about bag making, and I have a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into those designer bags. Would I do it again? Maybe! But for now, I’m just going to enjoy carrying my new bag. I feel so proud every time I look at it!
This whole thing was a journey, to say the least. It was tough, it was frustrating, but it was also really rewarding. And hey, I saved a ton of money! Would I recommend it? If you’re up for a challenge and you’re really patient, then go for it! It’s definitely a project you won’t forget. It’s a great feeling to create something with your own hands. You should try it sometime!
What I learned:
- Making a bag is HARD.
- Good materials are essential but can be hard to find.
- Patience is key!
- I can do anything I set my mind to (even if it takes forever!).
Alright, that’s it for this project. Let me know what you guys think! I’m going to go strut around with my new bag now. See ya in the next one!
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