Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making a bag for a while, and I finally decided to take the plunge. I chose to recreate the Yves Saint Laurent YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL BAG. I mean, who doesn’t love a good YSL bag? They’re classic, they hold their value, and they’re just so darn elegant. But, man, are they pricey! That’s where my little DIY project comes in.
First things first, I started by gathering my materials. I knew I wanted to use real leather, because that’s what gives the bag that luxurious feel. After a bit of searching online and in local stores, I found some beautiful, smooth calfskin leather in a gorgeous red color. It wasn’t cheap, but it was definitely more affordable than buying the actual YSL bag!
Next, I had to figure out the design. I spent hours looking at pictures of the LE CARRé SATCHEL online, trying to get every detail just right. I found out that the bag has a front flap with a square clip fastening that has “Saint Laurent Paris” engraved on it. I even found some close-up shots of the stitching and the hardware. That’s the level of detail that I was aiming for.
- Gathering Inspiration: I created a mood board of YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL images, focusing on different angles, the interior, and any unique details.
- Finding the Right Leather: I spent days checking out different leather suppliers. It had to be high-quality, and the color had to be just right.
- Pattern Making: This was the hardest part. I’m no expert, but I did my best to draft a pattern based on the dimensions and shape of the original bag.
With my materials and a rough pattern ready, I started cutting the leather. This was a nerve-wracking process! I double, triple, and quadruple-checked every measurement before making a cut. It takes me quite a long time, as I do not want to waste my material. I was being extra careful because, you know, leather isn’t exactly the cheapest material to mess up on. After cutting, I started assembling the bag, piece by piece. Let me tell you, sewing leather is no joke! It’s tough, and you need a heavy-duty sewing machine to do it right. Luckily, I was able to borrow one from a friend. Stitching it is also tough, I need to be careful with every stitch.
- Cutting the Leather: I laid out the pattern pieces on the leather and carefully cut them out using a rotary cutter and a metal ruler.
- Sewing: Using a heavy-duty sewing machine, I stitched the pieces together, following the pattern I had created.
- Adding Hardware: I found some similar-looking hardware online, including the square clip fastening. Attaching it was a bit tricky, but I managed to do it!
The Final Result
After many hours of work, I finally finished my homemade version of the YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL. And you know what? It turned out pretty darn good! Of course, it’s not an exact replica, but it definitely captures the essence of the original. It has that same squared-off silhouette, the front flap, and even a similar clip fastening. I’m really proud of how it turned out, especially since it’s my first time making a bag like this. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I made it with my own two hands. And I saved a ton of money in the process! Now I just show it off to my friends and they say it looks really good, just like the real one. This really fulfills me and I am really happy. And now I just go out with my own YSL bag.
This whole experience has taught me a lot about bag making, and it’s definitely something I want to keep exploring. Maybe I’ll try recreating another designer bag next. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll even start designing my own bags! But for now, I’m just going to enjoy carrying around my very own “YSL” bag.
Click to consult