Okay, so, I got it into my head to remake that super sleek Yves Saint Laurent YSL LE CARRÉ SATCHEL BAG. You know, the one that just screams “classic style”? Yeah, that one. I saw it and thought, “I can totally make that.” Famous last words, right?
First, I spent like a whole day just staring at pictures of this bag online. I zoomed in on every detail, trying to figure out the exact dimensions and how it was all put together. It’s like a boxy little thing, not too big, not too small, just right for carrying your essentials.
- I started by sketching it out in my notebook, drawing all the different panels and the flap and that cool little clasp.
- Then, I made a rough pattern out of some scrap cardboard, just to get a feel for the size and how it would all fold together.
Finding the right leather was the next hurdle. I wanted something that was sturdy but also soft, you know? I ended up going to this local leather shop and found a beautiful piece of black leather that I thought would be perfect. It felt so good to touch, and I knew it would give the bag that luxurious vibe.
Cutting the leather was nerve-wracking, no joke. I measured everything like five times before I made a single cut. I used a rotary cutter and a metal ruler to make sure all the lines were super straight. After cutting out all the pieces, I skived the edges to make them thinner, which helps when you’re sewing everything together.
Sewing was a whole other adventure. I used my trusty old sewing machine, and let me tell you, leather is tough to sew! I broke a few needles along the way, but I managed to get it all stitched together. Seeing the bag take shape was so satisfying. It was like watching my little cardboard mockup come to life.
The Hardware
The hardware was a bit tricky. I couldn’t find the exact clasp that the original bag has, but I found something similar online that still looked pretty good. Attaching it was a bit fiddly, but I got it on there eventually. Then came the strap, which I made adjustable. It is always good to have an adjustable strap.
Finally, after days of work, it was done! My very own YSL-inspired satchel bag. It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were a few little imperfections here and there, but overall, I was super proud of myself. It actually looked like a real bag!
Carrying it around for the first time was a thrill. I felt so stylish, even though I was just wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It’s amazing how a nice bag can elevate your whole look. I even got a few compliments on it, which was a nice little ego boost. Who knows, maybe I’ll try making another designer bag sometime. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy my new creation.
Hope you enjoy my little making journey. This satchel bag is a looker!
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