Prada purse

Copycat: Prada Jeweled Purse

I absolutely fell in love with this Prada clutch when I first laid eyes on it. New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

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...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

...after I trimmed it up...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

...and turned it into this...

New Dress A Day - vintage purple polyester dress

...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)...

New Dress A Day - Swarovski

...and backings from EH Ashley in hand...

New Dress A Day - Backings

...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!

New Dress A Day - Backings and Swarovski crystals

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...

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch

I dyed both pieces using iDye Poly...

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

...into a gorgeous shade of emerald.

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

I measured the fabric to match the size of the zipper, turning it into a lovely little rectangular shape...

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

...and stitched everything in place.

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

I cut the excess material around the edges of where I stitched...

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

...and turned the pouch inside out to begin my gem affixing!

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - iDye Poly

Look at all the gems!!

New Dress A Day - Swarovski

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!

New Dress A Day - Backings and Swarovski crystals

I started my stitching process and stayed on the slow and steady train until I was finished.

New Dress A Day - Backings and Swarovski crystals

Voila!! My new Prada-inspired purse!!

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

I just love the different shapes of the stones and the color palette works like a gem! (Hey, pun!!)

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

It's the perfect going out, wedding, or everyday purse to glam up a basic ensemble.

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

And if you don't want to sew anything, grab a thrifted clutch or old makeup case and use that as your base!

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

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!

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

Totally obsessed with how this came out!

New Dress A Day - DIY pouch - Prada Copycat

Nothing like a little bling to kick off the weekend!