Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of those Fendi Spy bags for a while now. You know, the ones with that iconic Zucca pattern and that cool tortoise-shell detailing? Yeah, those. I finally decided to go for it and try to make my own version. I mean, why not, right?
First, I spent hours, and I mean HOURS, scouring the internet, looking at every picture I could find of the original Fendi Zucca Nappa Tortuga Small Spy Tobacco Moro bag. Noted all the details, the pleats, the Zucca canvas, the way the leather looked, everything.
Then, came the hard part: finding the materials. I wanted something that looked and felt like that soft, nappa leather they used. Visited a bunch of fabric stores, feeling up different leathers until I found one that was just right. It was this deep, dark brown, just like the original.
Next up was the Zucca canvas. That was a bit trickier. I couldn’t find the exact pattern anywhere, so I decided to get creative. I found a similar FF pattern canvas online. It wasn’t perfect, but it was close enough.
Now for the tortoise-shell details. I searched high and low for something that would look like the real deal. Finally, I stumbled upon these acrylic sheets with a tortoise-shell pattern. They were a bit thick, but I figured I could make it work.
With all my materials gathered, it was time to start assembling the bag. First, I cut out the leather pieces according to the shape and size of the Spy bag I had studied. Then came the pleating. Let me tell you, that was a challenge! I had to hand-pleat each piece, which took forever, but it was worth it in the end.
After the pleating, I sewed the leather pieces together, carefully adding the Zucca canvas in the center. This part was a bit nerve-wracking, but I took my time and made sure everything was lined up perfectly.
For the tortoise-shell details, I cut the acrylic sheets into the shapes I needed and carefully attached them to the bag using a strong adhesive. It was a bit of a trial-and-error process, but I eventually got it to look just right.
Finally, I added the finishing touches, like the woven leather handle and the little “spy” compartment at the front. And there it was, my very own Fendi-inspired Spy bag!
It’s not an exact replica, of course, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It’s got that same chic, bohemian vibe as the original, and it’s definitely a conversation starter. Plus, I learned a ton about bag-making in the process.
Here’s what I used:
- Soft, dark brown leather (similar to Nappa)
- FF pattern canvas (similar to Zucca)
- Tortoise-shell pattern acrylic sheets
- Strong adhesive
- Sewing machine and other sewing supplies
- A lot of patience!
My Result
It’s not perfect, but it’s mine. And I love it. It’s a reminder that with a little bit of creativity and a lot of hard work, you can make just about anything. Hope you guys like it too!
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