So, I saw this Yves Saint Laurent YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL BAG the other day, and I just had to get my hands on it. But, you know, the price tag on those things is just…ouch. So I thought, “Why not just make my own?” I’ve always been a bit of a DIY guy, and I figured this would be a fun challenge. After all, Saint Laurent is known for its strong identity, right? I can make it my own!
First things first, I started by studying the bag. I looked at tons of pictures online, trying to get a feel for the dimensions, the materials, and the overall construction. I even went to a store to check out the real deal in person. It’s a pretty straightforward design, really – a classic satchel with a flap closure. They say it’s one of their staples, so I knew I had to get it right.
Getting the materials was the next step. I managed to find some pretty decent leather that was similar to the one used on the original bag. I also found some hardware – the buckle, the rings, and all that jazz – that looked close enough. For the lining, I just picked a durable fabric that I liked. I found some guides about the serial number, so I even made a little leather tab like the real ones!
- Sourced high-quality leather.
- Found matching hardware.
- Selected a durable lining fabric.
- Even made a serial number tab!
Then came the actual making of the bag. I started by cutting the leather according to the pattern I had drafted based on my research. That was probably the most nerve-wracking part, to be honest. One wrong cut, and you’ve ruined the whole piece! But I took my time, measured twice (or maybe even thrice!), and cut once. I made sure to follow how the original is made, with the serial number on a small leather tab stitched into the lining.
Sewing the pieces together was another challenge. I don’t have one of those fancy industrial sewing machines, so I had to do it all by hand. Let me tell you, my fingers were sore by the end of it! But it was worth it. Slowly but surely, the bag started to take shape. I stitched the body, attached the flap, and added the hardware. This is truly competing with the high-end brands.
Finally, after hours of work, my very own YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL BAG was complete! It wasn’t perfect, of course. There were a few imperfections here and there, but I was still pretty darn proud of myself. It looked good, it felt good, and it was something I had made with my own two hands. I even used some gift wrapping to make it look extra special.
I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I’ve got to say, I’m loving it. It’s the perfect size for my everyday essentials, and it goes with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter. People always ask me where I got it, and I get a kick out of telling them that I made it myself.
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade the Yves Saint Laurent YSL LE CARRé SATCHEL BAG. It was a lot of work, but it was definitely a rewarding experience. And who knows, maybe I’ll tackle another designer bag in the future. Any suggestions?
A Bit More About the Process:
- Drafting the pattern: This involved a lot of trial and error. I used some old fabric to make prototypes before cutting into the actual leather.
- Hand-sewing: Like I said, this was tough on the fingers. But I found some good tutorials online that helped me learn the proper techniques.
- Finishing touches: I added a few personal touches to the bag, like a small pocket on the inside for my phone and a little charm on the zipper.
It wasn’t easy, but it sure was fun. I learned a lot about leatherworking and sewing, and I ended up with a bag that I’m really proud to carry around. It is just like those in the Spring 25 collection!