I absolutely fell in love with this Prada clutch when I first laid eyes on it.
I just wasn't as in love with the $2580 price tag. Using this gorg purse as inspiration, I was determined to create my own gemtastic masterpiece!
With all the leftovers that I've accumulated from the thousands of dresses I've remade, I knew I could stitch up a pouch in no time. I thought that this lovely piece would make the perfect base because...
...after I trimmed it up...
...and turned it into this...
...I had tons of leftovers to play with! Nothing that a little dyeing can't fix to make this the perfect base!
With my pouch plans in place, Swarovski gems procured in the matching colors on the Prada purse (emeralds, yellows, golds, blues, clear)...
...and backings from EH Ashley in hand...
...it was time to get my bedazzle on!
I started off by putting all the backings on the rhinestones. You place the bottom of the gem into the backing and then pinch down the prongs on top to keep the gem in place. You can use jewelry pliers or just press them down yourself. (I even did a few by pressing them into a magazine I had on my floor - easy way to complete if you're sans pliers!
The crystal backing game began! I started little by little until I had my assortment of different Swarovski shapes and sizes complete!
With the gem front handled, it was time to get the purse portion created. Using the excess polyester fabric from that fab upcycled dress above as well as a white zipper...
I dyed both pieces using iDye Poly...
...into a gorgeous shade of emerald.
I measured the fabric to match the size of the zipper, turning it into a lovely little rectangular shape...
...and stitched everything in place.
I cut the excess material around the edges of where I stitched...
...and turned the pouch inside out to begin my gem affixing!
Look at all the gems!!
I had sew on backings for the rhinestones (see, you can see the holes in them!) to hand stitch to the purse. You can use flat backs and just glue directly to your piece or even just glue the stones themselves. Whatever makes the most sense for you is the most important element!
I started my stitching process and stayed on the slow and steady train until I was finished.
Voila!! My new Prada-inspired purse!!
I just love the different shapes of the stones and the color palette works like a gem! (Hey, pun!!)
It's the perfect going out, wedding, or everyday purse to glam up a basic ensemble.
And if you don't want to sew anything, grab a thrifted clutch or old makeup case and use that as your base!
I already started the weekend a bit early with my bag. You know, taking some shots with the sun in the background while sitting in standstill traffic!
Totally obsessed with how this came out!
Nothing like a little bling to kick off the weekend!
