Okay, so I’ve been seeing this Prada Arqué bag everywhere lately, and I finally caved. It’s just so darn pretty! I decided to try and make my own, and let me tell you, it was a journey.
First things first, I had to figure out what I was working with. This bag is made of leather, and it has this really cool crescent shape. It’s not a big bag so it’s perfect for a day out. I’m not exactly a pro with leatherwork, but I’ve dabbled a bit before. I watched a few videos online, looked at a bunch of pictures of the real deal – you know, really got myself acquainted with the design. Gigi Hadid and Gabrielle Union are all rocking it, so I knew I was on the right track.
Next up, I started gathering my materials. I got some decent leather from a local shop, and made sure I had all the right tools. Good thing I already had most of them from previous projects. Cutting the leather was the most nerve-wracking part. I mean, you mess that up, and it’s game over. I took it slow, double-checked all my measurements, and somehow managed not to ruin anything.
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Cut the main body pieces first. Two big crescent shapes. I used a rotary cutter to get those curves nice and smooth.
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Then came the sides and the bottom. These were a bit easier since they were mostly straight lines.
Sewing it all together was a whole other challenge. I used my trusty old sewing machine, which has seen better days, but it gets the job done. I practiced on some scrap pieces first, just to get the hang of it. Leather is tough, so you really need to use the right needles and thread. There were a few times I thought my machine was going to give up on me, but we made it through.
The bag has these two straps – a short one and a long one – so you can wear it different ways. I liked that idea, so I made sure to include both. I even added a little extra pocket inside, just because I always need more pockets.
After many hours of work, and a few minor mishaps, I finally finished it. And you know what? It actually looks pretty good! It’s not perfect, of course. There are a few rough edges, and it’s definitely not as polished as the real Prada one. I also think the color I used is a bit off but it doesn’t make it look bad. But it’s mine, and I made it, and that’s what matters. Plus, I saved myself a ton of money. I did some research and found out that the price for real Prada bags is really high.
I’ve been using it for a few days now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s the perfect size for my everyday stuff, and it feels good to know that I made it myself. Maybe I’ll try making another one, who knows? But for now, I’m just going to enjoy my new, handmade, kinda-sorta Prada Arqué bag. It turned out to be easier than I thought. I might do it again soon.
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