Alright, so let me tell you about this Ralph Lauren handbag project I tackled. It was a whole thing, but totally worth it in the end.
First off, I saw this Spring 2020 Ralph Lauren handbag online, and I just HAD to have it. But, you know, the price tag was… a bit much. So, I thought, “Why not try making something similar myself?” I mean, how hard could it be, right? (Spoiler alert: harder than I thought.)
The Prep Work:
- Sourcing Materials: I started by hunting down materials. This involved a ton of online searching and trips to the local fabric store. I wanted something that looked and felt luxurious, so I went with a really nice faux leather in a similar color to the original bag.
- Finding a Pattern: This was tricky. I couldn’t find an exact pattern for the Ralph Lauren bag, so I ended up Frankenstein-ing a few different patterns together. I found a basic tote bag pattern, then modified it to get the shape and size I wanted.
- Tools and Gadgets: Made sure I had all my tools ready – sewing machine, fabric scissors, seam ripper (trust me, you’ll need it), needles, thread, the whole shebang.
The Making Of:
This is where the fun (and the frustration) really began.
- Cutting the Fabric: Using my modified pattern, I carefully cut out all the pieces from the faux leather. This was a bit nerve-wracking because you only get one shot, you know?
- Sewing It All Together: I started by sewing the main body of the bag together. I followed the pattern instructions as closely as possible, but there were definitely a few moments where I had to unpick seams and redo them. The faux leather was also kind of slippery, which made things even more challenging.
- Adding the Details: The Ralph Lauren bag had some really cool details, like the stitching and the hardware. I tried my best to replicate these. I spent hours trying to get the stitching just right. And finding similar hardware was a whole other adventure. Ended up getting some from an online supplier.
- The Handles: I decided to make my own handles using some extra faux leather. I stitched them together to make them nice and sturdy. And then attached them to the bag with some heavy-duty rivets.
The Finishing Touches:
Almost there.
- Lining: Sewed in a lining using some soft fabric to give the bag a polished look. It also helps protect the inside of the bag.
- Pockets: Added a couple of interior pockets for organization. One zippered pocket and one slip pocket.
- Final Stitching and Reinforcements: Went over all the seams again, reinforcing them to make sure the bag was super durable.
The Result:
After a LOT of hours and more than a few swear words, I finally finished my Ralph Lauren-inspired handbag. And honestly, I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s not a perfect replica, but it’s pretty darn close. And the best part is, I made it myself!
Would I do it again? Absolutely! I learned so much during the process. Plus, now I have a unique handbag that no one else has. And that’s pretty cool.
