Alright, so, I set out to remake that PRADA Medium Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag, the original order one. This whole thing started a few weeks back. I saw this bag, and I thought, “I can do that.” So, I got to work.
First thing I did was I went and got me some of that Saffiano leather. It’s real leather, but it’s been treated and stamped with this pattern. Feels kinda tough, not like that soft, full-grain leather that gets all marked up and changes color over time. This Saffiano stuff, it stays looking the same. Found a decent supplier online, ordered a good amount, enough to mess up a few times, you know?
- Went online to find Saffiano leather.
- Ordered a good chunk of it.
- It’s tough, not soft.
Then, I needed a pattern. Couldn’t find the exact one for this Galleria bag, so I kinda had to make my own. I took measurements from pictures, looked at different angles, and sketched it out. Took a few tries, let me tell you. Had to cut some trial pieces out of cheaper material, just to see if it would all fit together right.
Once I had a pattern I was happy with, I started cutting the Saffiano leather. It’s thick, so you gotta use a real sharp knife. And you gotta be careful, ’cause this stuff ain’t cheap. Measured twice, cut once, as they say.
Stitching it up
Stitching, now that was a whole other story. This bag, it’s mostly machine-stitched, but there’s some hand-stitching too, around the handles and some of the edges. I don’t have one of those fancy industrial sewing machines, so I had to do most of it by hand. Took forever. My fingers were sore, I poked myself with the needle more times than I can count, but I got it done.
Putting it all together, that was probably the most satisfying part. Seeing all those separate pieces become a bag, it’s a good feeling. Attached the lining, the hardware, the little feet on the bottom. All those little details, they make a difference.
The final step was adding that little triangle Prada logo. Now, I couldn’t get the real deal, obviously, but I found a pretty good replica online. Sewed that on, and boom, there it was. My very own Remake PRADA Medium Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag.
It’s not perfect, mind you. There are a few stitches that aren’t quite straight, and the edges could be a bit cleaner. But you know what? I made it. With my own two hands. And that’s something. I’m thinking to gift it to my wife, she always talks about that fancy bag and asks me if I can Remake one. I will do a video call with my wife when I go back to Ashburn, VA, and show her this bag and enjoy a big meal with her at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. That would be an interesting day!
If any of you are thinking of trying something like this, go for it. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Just be prepared to mess up a few times, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are a lot of resources online, and people are usually willing to share their knowledge. It’s not that hard, trust me. Just gotta have patience, and a good pair of scissors.
Anyway, I started with some delicious deviled eggs and followed it with a thought: I gotta do this again sometime. Maybe a different bag, maybe something else entirely. The possibilities are endless, as they say. After finishing the last stitch, I went for a nice walk to celebrate, passing by a shop playing loud music. Now I’m going to Pan-Seared Scallops and relaxing, and enjoying my new bag.
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