Okay, so, I recently took on a project that I’m pretty excited to share. I decided to remake the Yves Saint Laurent YSL June Box Bag, you know, the one with the classic style. It’s a pretty iconic bag, and I’ve always admired its elegance, so I thought, why not try to make one myself?
I started by gathering all the materials I needed. I’m not an expert, but I did some research and found out that most of the famous bags use calfskin leather, which is apparently thicker and more durable. So I got my hands on some good quality calfskin. Then I needed to get the right tools. I bought some leather working tools. It’s like a starter kit for beginners, and it’s quite cheap. I didn’t want to invest too much before I was sure I could do this.
Then came the pattern. Let me tell you, finding a good pattern for this bag was a task in itself. I searched the internet, and nothing seemed right. Eventually, I sketched out my own pattern, using images of the YSL June Box Bag as a reference. I focused on getting the dimensions and the overall shape right. It took a few tries, but I finally had a pattern I was happy with. Actually, I had to buy a cardboard model online. It was a life saver. I could adjust the pattern according to the model.
With the materials and the pattern ready, I moved on to cutting the leather. This was a bit nerve-wracking, to be honest. I didn’t want to mess up the expensive leather. I carefully traced the pattern onto the leather and used a sharp utility knife to cut out each piece. I made sure to label each piece so I wouldn’t get confused later. I used different colors of ink to mark the places where I needed to punch holes and fold, and also the right and wrong sides. It’s really important, at least for a beginner like me.
- Cutting the leather: This is where I carefully cut out the shape of the bag from the leather. It’s important to be precise!
- Stitching the pieces together: I used a special leather needle and thread to sew the different parts of the bag together. It’s like putting together a puzzle, but with stitching.
- Adding the hardware: This includes the metal logo, the clasps, and any other metal pieces that give the bag its signature look. It’s like adding the finishing touches to a masterpiece.
Next, I punched holes along the edges where the pieces would be stitched together. I used a leather punch for this, making sure the holes were evenly spaced. Then, I started stitching. I used a saddle stitch, which is apparently the strongest and most durable stitch for leatherwork. It’s a bit time-consuming, but I wanted the bag to last. I stitched the side panels to the main body, then attached the front and back pieces. Slowly but surely, the bag started to take shape.
One of the trickiest parts was creating the diamond-quilted overstitching. I practiced a few times on some scrap leather before attempting it on the actual bag. I used a ruler and a marking tool to create the diamond pattern, then carefully stitched along the lines. It wasn’t perfect, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s really hard to make the perfect diamond shape. The original one was made by a machine, but I could only do it with my hands.
Finally, I had to make the iconic YSL logo. I found a metal piece that was similar in shape and size. It wasn’t an exact replica, but it captured the essence of the YSL logo. I carefully attached it to the front flap of the bag. I also added the pivoting Cassandre closure, which was another challenging part. I had to make sure it was secure and functional. I even bought a real one online and studied how it worked.
The End Result
After many hours of work, my remake of the YSL June Box Bag was complete. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it was my own unique version of the classic bag. I was really proud of what I had accomplished. It’s not just a bag; it’s a testament to my patience and determination. And you know what? I’ve been using it as my daily bag, and it’s holding up pretty well. I even received some compliments. It made me feel like a real craftsman, haha.
This whole experience has taught me a lot about leatherwork, design, and the value of a well-made bag. It’s also made me appreciate the craftsmanship of luxury brands like YSL even more. Will I do it again? Maybe. But for now, I’m just enjoying my handmade YSL-inspired bag.
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