This here story is about that fancy bag, the YSL ENVELOPE BAG. You know, the one all them city girls is carrying around. I seen it on one of them TV shows, and I thought, well, ain’t that something? My granddaughter, she got one, paid a whole heap of money for it, too. Says it’s a “classic.”
Well, this old gal, I figured I could make one myself. Saved me some money, and I got a right pretty bag out of it, too. It ain’t exactly the same, mind you. But it’s close enough. I mean, who’s gonna know? It is a classic style, anyone can make it.
First thing, I needed some leather. Now, I ain’t got no fancy cowhide or nothing like that. I used an old leather jacket, one my boy outgrew years ago. Good, sturdy stuff. It was a nice brown color, kinda like that YSL ENVELOPE BAG. I think it was calfskin, whatever that is. It’s just skin from a baby cow, ain’t it? I used to raise cows, you know.
Then I needed a pattern. Didn’t have no fancy paper one, neither. I just looked at the picture of that YSL bag real good, and I drew it out on some newspaper. Made sure it was the right size and all. I measured it out, oh, about ten times, I reckon. Gotta get it just right, you know.
Next, I cut out the leather. Used my good sewing scissors, the ones I use for quilting. Sharp as a tack, them things are. Cut through that leather like butter. I cut out two big pieces for the front and back, and some smaller pieces for the sides and the flap. I even made that little pocket inside, just like the real YSL ENVELOPE BAG.
- Cut two big pieces for front and back
- Cut smaller pieces for sides
- Cut a piece for the flap
- Cut a piece for the inside pocket
Then came the sewing. Now, I ain’t no expert seamstress, but I can sew a straight line. I used my old Singer sewing machine, the one my mama gave me. It’s older than dirt, but it still works like a charm. I sewed them pieces together, real careful like. That machine can be a bit finicky. I think it is older than me. Made sure the seams were strong, didn’t want the whole thing falling apart, now, did I?
For the strap, I used an old belt. Cut it to the right length, and sewed it on. That was the trickiest part, I tell ya. The leather was thick, and I had to use a big needle. Broke a couple, too. It was a chain on the real YSL bag, the one that Anthony Vaccarello designed. But I didn’t have no chain.
But that belt did just fine. It is a classic style, and a belt can be used as a strap. They all did that in the old time.
For that little “YSL” thing on the front, well, I didn’t have one of them. But I found an old button, a shiny gold one, and I sewed that on instead. Looks kinda fancy, don’t it? It ain’t the same, but it’s something. Like I said, who is gonna know?
And there you have it, my homemade YSL ENVELOPE BAG. It might not be the real thing, but it’s mine. And I made it with my own two hands. That’s something to be proud of, ain’t it? It’s got that same look, that same feel. It’s a classic style, after all.
I can carry all my stuff in it, my wallet, my keys, my little book. Even fits a couple of hard candies in there, for when I get a sweet tooth. And it looks just as good as that fancy one my granddaughter’s got. Maybe even better, ’cause it’s got a story to tell. A story of an old gal and her sewing machine. I heard that the real one is good for investment, but mine is just good enough for me.
Some folks might say I’m just a silly old woman, trying to copy them city folks. But I don’t care. I like my bag. And I saved myself a whole lot of money. Plus I can show off my skills to those young girls. I can make a YSL bag, what can they do?
I heard someone say the YSL bag is good for the office. I don’t know what office is. I just use my bag everyday. That Sac De Jour may look good, but my bag is better. It is unique. This is my favorite bag, I like the way it looks.
And that’s all that matters, right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go feed my chickens. They need to eat, too, you know. Just like this old gal needs her bag. Her very own, homemade YSL ENVELOPE BAG. A classic style, for a classic gal.
Click to consult