Anatomy of Design – A DKNY Bag
When I saw this DKNY keyhole tote, I fell in love with it. The simplicity of design prevents this bag from ever going out of style. Then I saw the $465 price tag and was in agony. Immediately, I began analyzing the design and knew that I could construct this design without a pattern.
To keep it simple, however, I searched the pattern websites and found McCall’s 4404. With a little tweaking and alterations to the pattern, you could achieve this design. View B has the same basic shape as the DKNY bag. As you can see, by eliminating the handles, adding a slight curved to the upper edge as well as a circular cut out for the handle opening you can morph this pattern into a DIY DKNY designer bag. Except for the curved opening, it is straight sewing. But don’t fret, I will be covering curves very soon. Here is a Photoshop version of the handbag with the suggested alterations.
Although it would look nice in any durable woven fabric with sufficient body, I would probably use a subtle textured vinyl fabric. Vinyl has gotten very sophisticated and closely mimics the real thing. This would be the perfect project to continue applying those newfound Sewing 101 skills. Why not create your very own designer handbag for pennies? And when your friends ask you where you got that fabulous designer bag, you can proudly say, “I made it myself”.
What do you think? Do you think this is doable even for a beginner?
Since you found the pattern I think it is a project I could try..Looking at the choices do you think that it would also work with the bag under B by changing the straps into a cicle and adding the patches to the sides..
Sure! I think by reducing the length of existing handles and doing just a little reshaping you could get the look of the DKNY bag.
[...] promised in Anatomy of Design – A DKNY Bag, I am continuing Sewing 101 with a “how to” for sewing curved seams. Curved seams can be [...]