Okay, so I’ve been totally obsessed with the YSL College Bag forever. You know, the classic one? It’s just so chic and timeless. I finally decided, “Screw it, I’m gonna make my own!” And let me tell you, it was a journey.
First off, I spent hours, like, actual hours, staring at pictures of the bag online. I scrutinized every single detail. The stitching, the hardware, the way the leather draped – everything. I even went to the YSL store a couple of times to “just browse,” but really, I was just taking mental notes like a hawk. I must have looked like a crazy person, hovering over those bags.
Then came the fun part – picking the leather. Oh boy, that was a whole adventure in itself. I learned that YSL often uses this really soft lambskin, and I wanted to get as close as possible. I went to this leather shop downtown. I felt so out of my depth. I spent like two hours in the store, feeling different leathers, smelling them (is that weird?), and probably annoying the heck out of the shopkeeper. Finally, I found it! This gorgeous, buttery-soft black lambskin. It was love at first touch.
Next, the pattern. I’m no professional, so I cobbled together a pattern based on the dimensions I could find online and a whole lot of guesswork. I sketched it out on this huge piece of paper, and then I got cutting.
Cutting the leather was terrifying! This stuff wasn’t cheap, and I was so scared of messing it up. But I took a deep breath and started cutting out the shapes. It was slow going, but I managed not to ruin anything.
Now, for the sewing. I have a basic sewing machine, nothing fancy. Sewing leather is tough, let me tell you. I broke a few needles. My machine was making all sorts of weird noises. I might have cursed a little. Okay, a lot. There were a few moments when I thought, “What have I done?”
- The Flap: This was probably the trickiest part. Getting that signature YSL shape and the way it folds over just right took some serious trial and error. I ripped out the seams and re-sewed it at least three times.
- The Chain: Finding a chain that looked similar to the real deal was another challenge. I ended up ordering a few different ones online before I found one that had the right weight and feel.
- The Logo: Obviously, I couldn’t get the actual YSL logo. But I found a metal piece that had a similar vibe and attached it to the front flap. It’s not the same, but it gives it that certain something.
After days and days, and many late nights, it was finally done! And you know what? It actually turned out pretty great! It’s not perfect, obviously. There are a few wonky stitches here and there. The inside isn’t as polished as the real thing. But it’s mine. I made it. And I’m actually really proud of it.
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade the YSL College Bag. It was a wild ride, but I learned a ton about leatherworking, sewing, and my own patience. Would I do it again? Maybe. Ask me again in a few months. For now, I’m just going to enjoy carrying my very own, handmade, almost-YSL bag.
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