Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[ledobe]

YAY! That came out great! Speaking of repurposing I have a rectangle of British Tan-ish leather that I pulled off an artsy craftsy journal book MONTHS ago. I've rolled it up, I got out the exacto knife, I measured...but I'm afraid to cut. You've made me feel a little braver though. Thanks especially for mentioning the glue, I'm not that creative and I may not have thought of that-the rest I kind of have a handle on from all my previous research. Like I said, I'm afraid to cut, and that's what held me back. I could probably get two or three good size tassels from this piece of leather.

I would have sprung for the FNO kit if they had had it in cognac, just to get the tassels.

 

[Lyndsey21]

I wanted to share my rehab and "upgrade" of a very abused Basic Bag I bought off ebay.
Here she is before:

I did the normal rehab routine and that did a lot, however, she was missing a leather strip on her wristlet piece:

After seeing a tutorial on how to make your own leather tassels, I got creative with some of the Tandy leather fringe I had ordered:

I braided a center section and added two side strips. Since this attached to the plastic piece, I should be able to remove it later. I will probably replace it with dark brown in the future for a more subtle contrast.

I made her matching tassel to coordinate:

And here she is now:

I still want to work with her leather a bit, but I am happy with her and have carried her a few times now. A big thank you to thrift-aholic for the heads up on the tutorial!

Wow !!! So cute with your tassel! You should sell them on etsy!

 

[Jessi319]

YAY! YIPPEE! YAHOO! Thanks to you - and Betsy Ross - I now know how to make tassels. And yes, I see great possibilities, too.

A few tips from today's learning curve:

I used Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic (leather too) Flexible Adhesive. It was easy to work with, with one exception. The leather I used has a silver finish. Rather, HAD a silver finish where the glue came in contact. Hubby said I should have expected this. Duh! No harm really, as all of the glue is on the inside.

Since I started with an old sash-type belt, I cut my own fringe. Advice to anyone cutting fringe: Make sure your blade is SHARP, and work slowly, making several shallow cuts, rather than trying to cut all the way through on a single draw. Also, if you're working with an Xacto, lay the blade down a bit and it draws easier. Most of all - BE CAREFUL.

Also, because I was working from a belt, I had a really nice, stitched edge to use for the top of the tassel and the hanger.

All in all, the measuring for the fringe was the hardest part. I made my fringe a little fatter than Betsy (3/16"). Though I was working on a table-size cutting mat, the leather did slip a bit, while marking for the fringe.

Found the clip and keyring combo (2 sets in a pack) at Jo-Ann Fabrics in the bead department for about 2 bucks and change. Only in silver, though. But since I was experimenting with silver leather...it works for me. And I do have a couple of bags with nickel hardware.

This was fun - I've decorated my bag for Christmas - and the price was right! Thanks for helping me learn yet another very useful (eyes rolling) skill!

AWESOME! Very good tips about using old belts! I will be focused on belts when at the thrift shop now!!
Have I mentioned lately how this THREAD ROCKS!!!

 

[chowlover2]

I have a faux Coach bag that I bought on Etsy thinking it was real. I haven't done anything with it because I really don't want it going back out in the world again, though the leather is lovely. What do you think about making tassels from the leather of the bag?

 

[JOODLZ]

I have a faux Coach bag that I bought on Etsy thinking it was real. I haven't done anything with it because I really don't want it going back out in the world again, though the leather is lovely. What do you think about making tassels from the leather of the bag?

Same here - shortly after finding this forum last February, I discovered that I owned a Coach "Bean" Bag! Shame about that, but lovely BT leather. I should be able to get a couple of nice tassels out of it.

Happy Holidays to EVERYONE here!

 

[darkangel07760]

YAY! YIPPEE! YAHOO! Thanks to you - and Betsy Ross - I now know how to make tassels. And yes, I see great possibilities, too.

A few tips from today's learning curve:

I used Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic (leather too) Flexible Adhesive. It was easy to work with, with one exception. The leather I used has a silver finish. Rather, HAD a silver finish where the glue came in contact. Hubby said I should have expected this. Duh! No harm really, as all of the glue is on the inside.

Since I started with an old sash-type belt, I cut my own fringe. Advice to anyone cutting fringe: Make sure your blade is SHARP, and work slowly, making several shallow cuts, rather than trying to cut all the way through on a single draw. Also, if you're working with an Xacto, lay the blade down a bit and it draws easier. Most of all - BE CAREFUL.

Also, because I was working from a belt, I had a really nice, stitched edge to use for the top of the tassel and the hanger.

All in all, the measuring for the fringe was the hardest part. I made my fringe a little fatter than Betsy (3/16"). Though I was working on a table-size cutting mat, the leather did slip a bit, while marking for the fringe.

Found the clip and keyring combo (2 sets in a pack) at Jo-Ann Fabrics in the bead department for about 2 bucks and change. Only in silver, though. But since I was experimenting with silver leather...it works for me. And I do have a couple of bags with nickel hardware.

This was fun - I've decorated my bag for Christmas - and the price was right! Thanks for helping me learn yet another very useful (eyes rolling) skill!

I love your tassle!!!

 

[Rambler]

I keep seeing the multi hangtag key chains and thinking that could be taken apart and used for jazzing up regular old bags that are missing their hangtags, especially small ones.

 

[raggs]

I've just rescued an old Coach from the secondhand store. It's in need of some love, but Hycianth just authenticated it as a Legacy Zip from 1998.

It's a beautiful bag, but the third photo shows that the leather is fairly dry. It actually isn't very horribly dirty inside but - I have asthma, and it is as dusty as if it had been stored away for years. There is no way I can use it with the dust being like it is, and it seems ingrained in the leather (wiping the purse down doesn't help). Is there any way short of *gulp* dunking it to get out the dusty smell (and clean it up? It doesn't appear dirty, but I am a bit of a germaphobe). If not - will the unfinished leather be okay for a bath? I cringe at the thought.

I'm a fairly new Coachie, and this is my very first rescue bag, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ledobe]

I keep seeing the multi hangtag key chains and thinking that could be taken apart and used for jazzing up regular old bags that are missing their hangtags, especially small ones.

I bought one and that also crossed my mind but its got a clip and I've just been moving it from bag to bag. If they make it to outlet prices I'd think about taking one apart but it's so cute as is

 

[ledobe]

I've just rescued an old Coach from the secondhand store. It's in need of some love, but Hycianth just authenticated it as a Legacy Zip from 1998.

It's a beautiful bag, but the third photo shows that the leather is fairly dry. It actually isn't very horribly dirty inside but - I have asthma, and it is as dusty as if it had been stored away for years. There is no way I can use it with the dust being like it is, and it seems ingrained in the leather (wiping the purse down doesn't help). Is there any way short of *gulp* dunking it to get out the dusty smell (and clean it up? It doesn't appear dirty, but I am a bit of a germaphobe). If not - will the unfinished leather be okay for a bath? I cringe at the thought.

I'm a fairly new Coachie, and this is my very first rescue bag, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm on my phone so I can't post a link but I promise you won't regret dunking! I would vacuum first though.

If you have time check out some before and afters in this thread. I'm sure someone will follow up with a link with instructions.

 

[chowlover2]

I've just rescued an old Coach from the secondhand store. It's in need of some love, but Hycianth just authenticated it as a Legacy Zip from 1998.

It's a beautiful bag, but the third photo shows that the leather is fairly dry. It actually isn't very horribly dirty inside but - I have asthma, and it is as dusty as if it had been stored away for years. There is no way I can use it with the dust being like it is, and it seems ingrained in the leather (wiping the purse down doesn't help). Is there any way short of *gulp* dunking it to get out the dusty smell (and clean it up? It doesn't appear dirty, but I am a bit of a germaphobe). If not - will the unfinished leather be okay for a bath? I cringe at the thought.

I'm a fairly new Coachie, and this is my very first rescue bag, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

The unfinished leather is best for dunking! I run warm water and add Dawn dish washing detergent. Rinse til water is clean, shape with towels and let dry. Then start onditioning!

 

[raggs]

Thank you Ledobe and Chowlover!

I've looked at everyone's amazing photos. I think I've read most of this thread! I'm still chicken...........

LOL

 

[chowlover2]

Thank you Ledobe and Chowlover!

I've looked at everyone's amazing photos. I think I've read most of this thread! I'm still chicken...........

LOL

Don't be, we're here for you!

 

[whateve]

Thank you Ledobe and Chowlover!

I've looked at everyone's amazing photos. I think I've read most of this thread! I'm still chicken...........

LOL

Definitely dunk. You'll be amazed how much difference it makes. You can make this bag look almost new with dunking and conditioning.

 

[Jessi319]

I've just rescued an old Coach from the secondhand store. It's in need of some love, but Hycianth just authenticated it as a Legacy Zip from 1998.

It's a beautiful bag, but the third photo shows that the leather is fairly dry. It actually isn't very horribly dirty inside but - I have asthma, and it is as dusty as if it had been stored away for years. There is no way I can use it with the dust being like it is, and it seems ingrained in the leather (wiping the purse down doesn't help). Is there any way short of *gulp* dunking it to get out the dusty smell (and clean it up? It doesn't appear dirty, but I am a bit of a germaphobe). If not - will the unfinished leather be okay for a bath? I cringe at the thought.

I'm a fairly new Coachie, and this is my very first rescue bag, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Nice bag!! You can't hurt her by dunking her! I've dunked several of this style. Just follow the basic guidelines you've read on here and you'll be fine. Feel free to check in through the process even, if you have doubts as you go!