I use Fiebings leather cement. I squeeze a bit on a piece of paper, dip a toothpick, and use the toothpick to spread the glue under the edges of the piping where the hole is. The piping gets wet and soft from the glue, and I pull it together over the hole. Sometimes I roll over a clean toothpick to smooth it out. I hold it together for a bit and then it dries. Ideally, you’d have just a thin line where the edges of the piping met over the hole. If you can get a close match with acrylics, you can mix a drop with the leather conditioner (I use Leather Therapy) and put it on with your finger.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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I use Fiebings leather cement. I squeeze a bit on a piece of paper, dip a toothpick, and use the toothpick to spread the glue under the edges of the piping where the hole is. The piping gets wet and soft from the glue, and I pull it together over the hole. Sometimes I roll over a clean toothpick to smooth it out. I hold it together for a bit and then it dries. Ideally, you’d have just a thin line where the edges of the piping met over the hole. If you can get a close match with acrylics, you can mix a drop with the leather conditioner (I use Leather Therapy) and put it on with your finger.
Good job! I wish my wallet was black as the stains wouldn't show up on it. This one has a few pen marks that I know won't come out.
Valve 54, Lake Effect and Minchanka, thank you all! I will see what I can find in my area or search eBay for the leather cement. The spot it so worn there’s not even any piping to pull together, so hopefully I will be able to color match the paint. It will have to be better than it is now..... right
In addition to the good suggestions already offered, there's this:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/474700832/1-12-flat-cowhide-binding-in-corral
That might be more time and money than you'd want to spend, however. If there's a leather shop near you, they might have scraps of this kind of material they would let you have cheaply or for free (you wouldn't need much). Getting a matching color might be difficult.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!
Here's a great demonstration of hand sewing a leather bag, including edge binding:
https://www.instructables.com/lesson/Sewing-Leather-1/
https://www.instructables.com/lesson/Sewing-Leather-1/
I just found Fiebing Leather Cement at Michael’s on my way home from work last week! And I stopped in a Joann Fabric today and they had a couple random Fiebings products languishing in a pile on a bottom shelf including LC.Valve 54, Lake Effect and Minchanka, thank you all! I will see what I can find in my area or search eBay for the leather cement. The spot it so worn there’s not even any piping to pull together, so hopefully I will be able to color match the paint. It will have to be better than it is now..... right
For me a big part of rehabbing is learn-by-doing. Like any hobby. How ever this repair comes out or not, you will have learned something and it will give you experience for a future repair!
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So the piping on this strap got shredded/torn. Last weekend I used Fiebings leather cement to close it. I am pleased. While area of the tear is darker, the hole is effectively closed!
Since I reach for my Ranch and City bag over this one, I don’t think I will be keeping the bag in the long run. I am more enthused about selling or gifting it now that the tear is repaired. It needs conditioning and reshaping!
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Looks, good! I can barely see it, it's so close to the buckle. It is definitely sellable or gift-worthy!
That is sooooo true! I think this is a ( hobby) you get a lot out of. I have micheals and Joanne in my area, so I will check there.I just found Fiebing Leather Cement at Michael’s on my way home from work last week! And I stopped in a Joann Fabric today and they had a couple random Fiebings products languishing in a pile on a bottom shelf including LC.
For me a big part of rehabbing is learn-by-doing. Like any hobby. How ever this repair comes out or not, you will have learned something and it will give you experience for a future repair!
Do you usually give bags a bath, I just got a convirtable flap and it was in pretty good shape, a little misshapen but not bad. I polished the brass, brushed out the inside and conditioned her and I think now I should have started with a bath
I just started selling a few non-vintage Coach. It's the only way I can fund my 'habit'.
It helps me with funds and it helps with space so I can get more!
It depends on the bag. Since I tend to buy bags that are inexpensive for the most part, they are usually stained, worn, squashed . . . so I usually dunk them. Dunking allows the leather to accept a heavier conditioner and makes reshaping easier. The heavier conditioner like CPR is often needed when basic conditioning was ignored or if the bag was stored poorly in drier conditions. Some have been in very good condition so they just get a wipe down and app of light conditioner. If you think your bag needs a bath, there is no reason not to give it one. Why don’t you use it a bit and see how you feel? I am curious, what makes you think it needs a bath?That is sooooo true! I think this is a ( hobby) you get a lot out of. I have micheals and Joanne in my area, so I will check there.
Do you usually give bags a bath, I just got a convirtable flap and it was in pretty good shape, a little misshapen but not bad. I polished the brass, brushed out the inside and conditioned her and I think now I should have started with a bath
It’s just a little misshapen, the piping on the corners go under. It had a couple ( not terriblely noticable, but I think we take stock of all the things we want to try to help) half ring indentations. It’s not too bad, super soft and squishy. But the piping look really nice, no wear, and the conditioner brought the color back and covered the light scratches. I can attach a pic tomorrow.