Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making a bag for ages, and I finally took the plunge! I picked the YSL June Box Bag because, you know, it’s a classic and looks pretty straightforward, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a bit more of an adventure than I expected.
First off, I started by looking for pictures and descriptions of the real deal online. I checked out the official YSL website and browsed through some pictures just to get a good sense of the shape, size, and details. I took some screenshots and made a few rough sketches. It’s called a “box bag” for a reason! So it was important to get the right dimensions.
Then came the fun part – gathering materials. I’d already done some research online, so I had a rough idea of what I needed. I spent an afternoon going from store to store, feeling up different fabrics and comparing colors. Ended up picking a nice, sturdy black leatherette that felt pretty good. I also grabbed some lining fabric, thread, a zipper, and some metal hardware bits for the strap and clasps. I had a feeling I would mess up at some point, so I bought more materials than I needed.
Next, I started on the pattern. This was tricky! I used some thick paper to make the pattern pieces. Basically, I made a bunch of rectangles and squares based on the measurements I’d taken from the photos of the original bag. I double and triple-checked everything to make sure it all lined up. It was important that all the pieces are symmetrical.
- Cutting Time: I carefully laid out my pattern pieces on the leatherette and cut them out. This took a while because I wanted to be super precise. I did the same with the lining fabric.
- Sewing Begins: Now, the real challenge began. I started by sewing the lining together, creating a little pouch. Then, I did the same with the outer leatherette pieces. I had to use my sewing machine and my hands for different parts, especially when it came to the corners. It was like trying to sew together a tiny box. I pricked my fingers with the needle many times. Ouch!
- The Zipper: Putting in the zipper was one of the hardest parts. I had to pin it in place and then very carefully sew it to both the lining and the outer fabric. I messed up a few times and had to use the seam ripper, which was frustrating, but I eventually got it in there.
- Assembly: The next step was putting the whole thing together. I sewed the lining to the outer bag along the top edge, leaving a gap so I could flip it right side out. I struggled to sew the zipper to the main fabric.
- Hardware: The final touches involved adding the hardware. I attached the metal bits to the strap and the bag itself, using a combination of hand sewing and some special tools.
- Finishing Up: Finally, I turned the bag right side out through the gap, sewed it shut, and gave it a good inspection.
The Result
After hours of work, a lot of thread, and a few swear words, I had my finished bag! It’s definitely not perfect. It’s not an exact copy of the YSL bag, but I’m pretty proud of it! It looks like a box bag, holds its shape, and I can actually fit my stuff in it. I might try to make another one in the future, now that I have a better idea of what I’m doing. But for now, I’m going to enjoy using my handmade (and slightly wonky) YSL-inspired June Box Bag!
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