Thanks! Do you think I would get okay results with this? I'll be using it to haul books (professor) so it will be used for heavy lifting!
Better pic
I would wash the bag and condition it and use a small nail scissors to gently trim the most frayed areas and then touch up the edges with acrylic paint. Here is information I've posted previously about the way I treat edging loss, but someone else may have other suggestions for your bag.
Vintage bags often lose sealant (color) along the edges of the straps and handles. I use small bottles of permanent acrylic paint to touch up the edges. You can find them at hobby stores and often at fabric stores like Joann's Fabrics. They are usually less than a dollar or two each. You will also need an artist's paint brush.
Cobbler shops sometime sell a product called Fiebing's Edge Kote. It is also available online and I have read that it also works well on the edging.
I usually take the bag's hangtag to the store with me to match the color but be careful not to lose the hangtag, I did that once! The black is an easy match, but you can also mix small amounts of the acrylic paints until you get the color you need. Like mixing a few drops of black with a small amount of a brighter blue to get a darker blue.
I have found that the colors on the labels are pretty accurate but you can usually unscrew the cap in the store to look at the actual paint color under the cap.
Before applying paint (or using any new products) its always a good idea to test first especially if you are mixing paint colors. Apply a small amount of your paint mixture to an area of the bag that doesn't show. Let it dry completely to see how well it matches before applying it in areas that do show. Always use good lighting when working with paints.
The paint is permanent after in dries, but it cleans up easily with soap and water while it is wet or damp. I wear rubber gloves when I am working with paint.
Use the brush to lightly dab the paint along the edges of the strap or handles, try not to get any on the finished surface of the strap, and wipe it off quickly if you do get some on it. Let the paint dry completely, it dries pretty fast.
Dont neglect the edging; it is amazing how much of a difference it can make to the overall appearance of the bag!
