Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I shared my latest project. Recently, I’ve been totally obsessed with the Prada Arqué Leather Shoulder Bag. It’s just so chic and classic! But, you know, the price tag is a bit…ouch. So, I thought, why not try to make one myself? Yeah, it sounded crazy even to me at first, but I was determined to give it a shot.
First things first, I spent hours online just staring at pictures of the Arqué bag. I needed to get a feel for its shape, its size, every little detail. The bag has this unique, curved silhouette, almost like a half-moon. Getting that curve right was going to be the real challenge, I figured.
Then, I hit the fabric stores. Finding the right leather was crucial. I wanted something that felt luxurious but was still manageable to work with. After touching a million different swatches, I finally found it – a beautiful, soft black leather that I thought would be perfect.
Next up, the pattern. This was probably the trickiest part. I drafted and re-drafted, cut and re-cut. I used some stiff paper to make a mock-up, trying to mimic that signature Arqué curve. It took a few tries, but I finally got a shape I was happy with. It wasn’t exactly like the original, with those rounded corners on a rectangular shape, but it had the same vibe.
Sewing the leather was a whole other adventure. Let me tell you, leather is not the easiest material to work with! I broke a few needles, and my sewing machine wasn’t too happy with me either. But I took it slow, made a ton of adjustments, and eventually, I started to see my bag taking shape.
I also wanted to add a little “Prada Milano” detail, just for fun. I found a small metal piece that kind of looked like the original and attached it to the front. It’s not exactly the iconic triangle plaque, but it adds a little something, don’t you think?
- Drawing the pattern took me days!
- Sewing the leather was hard and made me sweat a lot.
- Adding the details was so fun.
Finally, after many late nights and a lot of trial and error, my Arqué-inspired bag was finished! It’s not a perfect replica, of course, but I’m so proud of it. It has that same minimalist, elegant feel as the real deal, and I learned so much in the process.
It may not hold its resale value like a real Prada, but to me, it’s priceless. I poured my heart and soul into making it, and that’s what counts. Plus, I get to rock a stylish bag without breaking the bank! What do you guys think? Was it worth the effort?
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