Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Princess Caroline]

Here's the NYC Stewardess I mentioned in the post about hangtags. I picked this poor bag up at Family Thrift for $15 and it was in sad shape. They had three (!) security tags punched through the inside pocket! It was dry and very scratched up; that circular mark on the back was so bad I thought it would never go away. Before photos:



I brought the poor thing home and got all the staples out (!) and conditioned for several days with Leather CPR. After reading a lot about dunking here, finally got my courage up to try it. If I do it again, I won't dunk after using the CPR as I figure that may have caused some issues with a sort of gray film that appeared on the bag after it dried. So I wasn't entirely thrilled with the result, but it is improved quite a lot. I stuffed it with towels trying to give it some shape, but I think I overdid it a bit and it has that little curve in the front bottom that is a bit annoying. More applications of Leather CPR, and then I finished off with Blackrocks. I did not remove the hardware and so there is still a bit of verdigris, but I may try to polish it up a bit more. I do love the color and patina on this bag; I am a sucker for brown leather bags that look like they have been on adventures. After shots with its new hangtag:


Thanks for being such a great resource, Threadites!

 

[Tosa22]

Here's the NYC Stewardess I mentioned in the post about hangtags. I picked this poor bag up at Family Thrift for $15 and it was in sad shape. They had three (!) security tags punched through the inside pocket! It was dry and very scratched up; that circular mark on the back was so bad I thought it would never go away. Before photos:
View attachment 4643364
View attachment 4643365

I brought the poor thing home and got all the staples out (!) and conditioned for several days with Leather CPR. After reading a lot about dunking here, finally got my courage up to try it. If I do it again, I won't dunk after using the CPR as I figure that may have caused some issues with a sort of gray film that appeared on the bag after it dried. So I wasn't entirely thrilled with the result, but it is improved quite a lot. I stuffed it with towels trying to give it some shape, but I think I overdid it a bit and it has that little curve in the front bottom that is a bit annoying. More applications of Leather CPR, and then I finished off with Blackrocks. I did not remove the hardware and so there is still a bit of verdigris, but I may try to polish it up a bit more. I do love the color and patina on this bag; I am a sucker for brown leather bags that look like they have been on adventures. After shots with its new hangtag:
View attachment 4643367
View attachment 4643368
Thanks for being such a great resource, Threadites!

It looks so much better! You gave it a new life!

 

[KittKatt]

hi nursebetty,asking if you are in mtl because I go to the states often and would gladly bring back cpr at cost for a fellow tpr

Hi Jacynthe! nursebetty’s comments were originally directed at me (as I am based in Quebec). I just wanted to say that is a very kind offer and a reflection of how helpful and supportive this forum is!
I have already placed an order for cpr online (through the manufacturer’s site) but thanks anyhow!

 

[tealocean]

That's awesome! I am glad that you were able to find a decent match! I called the outlet where I live and was told they didn't have any loose hangtags and also that their stamping machine was broke. Then I called the one boutique store that we have and was told that exact same thing. I try my absolute hardest to avoid malls so it's not likely I will be in one any time soon but if I do ever have to go to one I'll try to remember to take a vintage that needs a tag.

Do all the outlets have stamping machines? I haven't been to one in almost a year and a half, but that would be neat.

 

[artax two]

Do all the outlets have stamping machines? I haven't been to one in almost a year and a half, but that would be neat.

I am not sure if all outlets have one. I didn't even know my outlet had one and when she said stamping machine I thought she meant like they could take a blank tag and stamp the cartouche on it but when I called the boutique the SA said their stamping machine only did monograms for initials or maybe a word or whatever. So I honestly don't know what all a stamping machine does or which stores should have one. Sorry!

 

[LunaSilver]

A while ago I got this black Mini shopper with one broken strap, with the core threads exposed. During the dunk, the core threads were completely pulled out from the bottom part of strap. I decided to fix it myself. First step is to tie the end of cores with a thin stitching thread, then use sewing needle pull the thread through the tiny leather straw of bottom strap, coating the cores with a bit E6000 glue , and use the thread to pull the cores slowly through the bottom leather straw untill the broken part of leather lined up closely. Fill up the crack with a little more glue and let it to cure for 24 hrs. Next day touched up with black puffy paint. The result is not bad.
(I use E6000 for its industrial bond strength)
Pictures are before, after glued together, and finished bag.

 

[Narnanz]

A while ago I got this black Mini shopper with one broken strap, with the core threads exposed. During the dunk, the core threads were completely pulled out from the bottom part of strap. I decided to fix it myself. First step is to tie the end of cores with a thin stitching thread, then use sewing needle pull the thread through the tiny leather straw of bottom strap, coating the cores with a bit E6000 glue , and use the thread to pull the cores slowly through the bottom leather straw untill the broken part of leather lined up closely. Fill up the crack with a little more glue and let it to cure for 24 hrs. Next day touched up with black puffy paint. The result is not bad.
(I use E6000 for its industrial bond strength)
Pictures are before, after glued together, and finished bag.View attachment 4643504

Looks great...you almost cant see it. Looks lovely on the mantel.

 

[LunaSilver]

Looks great...you almost cant see it. Looks lovely on the mantel.

Thanks Naranz.

 

[LunaSilver]

I only have two 65th anniversary bags (Ali and shoulder bag ) , plus two Leigh from a year later. Both Ali and shoulder bag have problem of splitting at strap parts hold the hardwares. For Ali a piece of leather was completely torn. I get to have the chance to examine how the straps were constructed. Basically 2 piece VERY THIN leather glued to cardboard like material, then glue the 2 pieces leather together with fabric in between. Coach must had issue with the glue it used on 65th anniversary collection, because Leigh from different year the straps hold better, from what I heard it seems common for strap to split in 65th collection. I am quite convinced the whole bag of Ali was constructed with thin leather glued to backing of cardboard like material, although I didn't cut the body of bag to exam it. If this is how morden Coach bags are made, then dunk the bag may cause problem to the leather backing.
Also a red Carly bag has the same strap splitting problem, except the leather part is muchthicker than Ali.
First 2 pictures are Ali, last one is Carly. Please excuse the yucky picture of Ali, I took it shortly after open the eBay box, the seller didn't disclose the strap damage in the listing. When I saw the corner of leather piece folded up and decided to take a close look, found out the whole thing was torn but tugged under the cranny of joint.

 

[Catbird9]

I only have two 65th anniversary bags (Ali and shoulder bag ) , plus two Leigh from a year later. Both Ali and shoulder bag have problem of splitting at strap parts hold the hardwares. For Ali a piece of leather was completely torn. I get to have the chance to examine how the straps were constructed. Basically 2 piece VERY THIN leather glued to cardboard like material, then glue the 2 pieces leather together with fabric in between. Coach must had issue with the glue it used on 65th anniversary collection, because Leigh from different year the straps hold better, from what I heard it seems common for strap to split in 65th collection. I am quite convinced the whole bag of Ali was constructed with thin leather glued to backing of cardboard like material, although I didn't cut the body of bag to exam it. If this is how morden Coach bags are made, then dunk the bag may cause problem to the leather backing.
Also a red Carly bag has the same strap splitting problem, except the leather part is muchthicker than Ali.
First 2 pictures are Ali, last one is Carly. Please excuse the yucky picture of Ali, I took it shortly after open the eBay box, the seller didn't disclose the strap damage in the listing. When I saw the corner of leather piece folded up and decided to take a close look, found out the whole thing was torn but tugged under the cranny of joint.

Thank you for this detailed look at the construction of these bags. The known verdigris issue is also clearly seen in your photos. It's too bad these beautiful and sought-after styles have these unfortunate flaws

 

[LunaSilver]

Thank you for this detailed look at the construction of these bags. The known verdigris issue is also clearly seen in your photos. It's too bad these beautiful and sought-after styles have these unfortunate flaws

Yes it is so unfortunate. By the way, the Ali was authentiated genuine. I thought it was fake at first because of the thin leather and cardboard backing.lol..

 

[Splatnext]

Someone asked for a picture of the finished Saddlerybags, here they are.

 

[Catbird9]

Someone asked for a picture of the finished Saddlerybags, here they are.

Beautiful job, they all glow with unmistakable vintage charm!

 

[Splatnext]

Beautiful job, they all glow with unmistakable vintage charm!

Why thank you Catbird9, knowing what I do now from that article you posted I will stick with vintage.
They are almost the perfect bag, except for the lack of a back pocket, I like to slide my phone in there instead of opening the bag and fishing around for it.

 

[whateve]

A while ago I got this black Mini shopper with one broken strap, with the core threads exposed. During the dunk, the core threads were completely pulled out from the bottom part of strap. I decided to fix it myself. First step is to tie the end of cores with a thin stitching thread, then use sewing needle pull the thread through the tiny leather straw of bottom strap, coating the cores with a bit E6000 glue , and use the thread to pull the cores slowly through the bottom leather straw untill the broken part of leather lined up closely. Fill up the crack with a little more glue and let it to cure for 24 hrs. Next day touched up with black puffy paint. The result is not bad.
(I use E6000 for its industrial bond strength)
Pictures are before, after glued together, and finished bag.View attachment 4643504

It looks great! Do you think it will hold up to being carried?