Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[katev]

Here is another recent rehab project. I paid only $14 for the bag at a thrift store. It is a Legacy Medium Soft Slim Duffle (#1414, China, 2006) in black with silver nickel hardware. Thank you to @whateve for authenticating the bag and helping me to ID the style name and details.

The purse was in good condition and it was an easy rehab, except that it was missing something important. Although the bag had its original hangtag, it was missing the original long, black and silver, clip-on tassel, so I've attempted to manufacture a replacement - and that's a first for me!

You can see the before pics at the link below:

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach-see-first-post-for-format.889527/page-6096#post-36208659

It was a straight-forward rehab (just dunk, stuff, mosturize, and buff the hardware) and it came out looking much improved IMO!

Here are some After pics and I will tell you about my attempt to replace the long tassel in the next post.

 

[katev]

I have several keydob tassels and long charms and fobs and I tried all of them on my black Medium Soft Slim Duffle #1414, but none of them looked good. They were either the wrong size, wrong color, wrong hardware, or wrong style! Then I looked for a replacement tassel online but none of them were right, and they all cost more than I'd spent on the bag!

I thought about just skipping the tassel but I liked that way that the bag looked with a long tassel in the online pictures.

I already had the nickel bolt snap hardware onhand, because I'd purchased some previously from Buckleguy for another project. So I went to the Hobby Lobby and bought a few yards of black leather lacing. Then I cut four 24 inch lengths of leather, looped them over the ring one at a time and tied a knot in the center of each strand. Then I cut another strip of leather lacing and I looped it around the knots (sort of like a "hangman's noose!) and tied it in the back and trimmed it. Then I I squirted some fabric glue deep into the center of the knot for stability and let it dry.

Next, I dunked the tassel in water and spread it out between 2 towels and pressed the strands with a flat, heavy bookend to straighten out kinks in the leather. When it was dry I mosturized it and I trimmed the strands to appear approximately the same lenght. Then I touched up the cut ends of the leather with black hobby paint, and that was all that I did.

Here's are a few pictures of my homemade tassel. I've also posted a couple of pictures that @meepabeep had previously shared of her dark brown #1414 duffle so you can see how the bag looked with the original Coach tassel. Note that the crossbody strap on her bag has been doubled over to make it shoulder length, but my bag is shown in the post above, with the crossbody length strap.

If I ever try to make another "leather ornament" I will look for softer leather lacing that will drap more gracefully against the bag. I'm mostly pleased with my home-made tassel but I wonder if it looks look "too rough" or "crude" for a Coach bag, what do you think?

My Homemade Replacement Tassel:


And here are pics of a dark brown medium soft slim duffle #1414 that were posted by @meepabeep and which show the original Coach tassel and has the strap doubled-over to be worn shoulder length:

 

[whateve]

I hope you've all had wonderful holidays. Here's the update on the Disaster Bag.
It's a Disaster Bag no more! I'd be lying if I said it was smooth sailing to get here even from when I decided that dye was my best option. I managed to learn another valuable lesson in that oil based dyes and oil based conditioners can and will lead to the dye coming off the leather, which is exactly what happened to me as I thought I was about to dot the i with some conditioner/protector.
So in the evening of the 23rd I was having a bit of a meltdown as I was once again stripping the bag of the dye and conditioner only to have to dye it again (we celebrate on the 24th).
I had originally hoped to get Fiebing's dye but with the time left I had to use what was available and got the Leather Penetrating Dye from TRG the One (this is a Spanish brand, but I'm not sure if it's the same Tarrago that's been referred to in this forum). The reviews online gave me some confidence as others had also used it on bags with good results. I tested it out on a leather strip first and was pleasantly surprised especially hearing so many comment on how dyes can leave a very shiny finish. This one has a satin finish that looks natural to this type of leather and the result is uniform with the rest of the bag which didn't have nearly as much mystery product on originally. I found it easy to work with overall. I also got the leather preparer for prep. I'm not sure if it has any major differences from the pure acetone, aside from not smelling as intensely, but at least it gave me a bit of confidence that it definitely had to work well with their dye.
But as I said, the dye (or as I learned, just about any oil based dye) just won't work together with products like the Saphir Renovateur or the other liquid conditioners I had. Saddle soap is absolutely fine to use with it, though, so that's what I did after the final dyeing process.
Something I was glad I did was that I got a box of assorted leather pieces with different finishes from a local bag brand who was selling the scraps from their studio. I've been using the smaller pieces I can't use for projects to try out products before I use them on a bag. It doesn't guarantee that there will be no hiccups along the way, but it's an added safety measure and for less than the price of a slice of cake. So I think it's well worth it.

I also wanted to say how much I appreciate everyone's advice on here throughout this. It gave me the courage I needed and I'm pretty pleased with how this bag turned out. I finished the rehab just in time. Mom absolutely loves the bag.
View attachment 6107361View attachment 6107362View attachment 6107363

It came out great. I believe you'll be able to use conditioners on it after awhile. The dye becomes more permanent as time goes on. Give it a month, then try it on a hidden part.

 

[whateve]

I have several keydob tassels and long charms and fobs and I tried all of them on my black Medium Soft Slim Duffle #1414, but none of them looked good. They were either the wrong size, wrong color, wrong hardware, or wrong style! Then I looked for a replacement tassel online but none of them were right, and they all cost more than I'd spent on the bag!

I thought about just skipping the tassel but I liked that way that the bag looked with a long tassel in the online pictures.

I already had the nickel bolt snap hardware onhand, because I'd purchased some previously from Buckleguy for another project. So I went to the Hobby Lobby and bought a few yards of black leather lacing. Then I cut four 24 inch lengths of leather, looped them over the ring one at a time and tied a knot in the center of each strand. Then I cut another strip of leather lacing and I looped it around the knots (sort of like a "hangman's noose!) and tied it in the back and trimmed it. Then I I squirted some fabric glue deep into the center of the knot for stability and let it dry.

Next, I dunked the tassel in water and spread it out between 2 towels and pressed the strands with a flat, heavy bookend to straighten out kinks in the leather. When it was dry I mosturized it and I trimmed the strands to appear approximately the same lenght. Then I touched up the cut ends of the leather with black hobby paint, and that was all that I did.

Here's are a few pictures of my homemade tassel. I've also posted a couple of pictures that @meepabeep had previously shared of her dark brown #1414 duffle so you can see how the bag looked with the original Coach tassel. Note that the crossbody strap on her bag has been doubled over to make it shoulder length, but my bag is shown in the post above, with the crossbody length strap.

If I ever try to make another "leather ornament" I will look for softer leather lacing that will drap more gracefully against the bag. I'm mostly pleased with my home-made tassel but I wonder if it looks look "too rough" or "crude" for a Coach bag, what do you think?

My Homemade Replacement Tassel:
View attachment 6107495View attachment 6107496View attachment 6107497View attachment 6107498

And here are pics of a dark brown medium soft slim duffle #1414 that were posted by @meepabeep and which show the original Coach tassel and has the strap doubled-over to be worn shoulder length:
View attachment 6107499View attachment 6107500

I think it looks great!

 

[DL Harper]

I have several keydob tassels and long charms and fobs and I tried all of them on my black Medium Soft Slim Duffle #1414, but none of them looked good. They were either the wrong size, wrong color, wrong hardware, or wrong style! Then I looked for a replacement tassel online but none of them were right, and they all cost more than I'd spent on the bag!

I thought about just skipping the tassel but I liked that way that the bag looked with a long tassel in the online pictures.

I already had the nickel bolt snap hardware onhand, because I'd purchased some previously from Buckleguy for another project. So I went to the Hobby Lobby and bought a few yards of black leather lacing. Then I cut four 24 inch lengths of leather, looped them over the ring one at a time and tied a knot in the center of each strand. Then I cut another strip of leather lacing and I looped it around the knots (sort of like a "hangman's noose!) and tied it in the back and trimmed it. Then I I squirted some fabric glue deep into the center of the knot for stability and let it dry.

Next, I dunked the tassel in water and spread it out between 2 towels and pressed the strands with a flat, heavy bookend to straighten out kinks in the leather. When it was dry I mosturized it and I trimmed the strands to appear approximately the same lenght. Then I touched up the cut ends of the leather with black hobby paint, and that was all that I did.

Here's are a few pictures of my homemade tassel. I've also posted a couple of pictures that @meepabeep had previously shared of her dark brown #1414 duffle so you can see how the bag looked with the original Coach tassel. Note that the crossbody strap on her bag has been doubled over to make it shoulder length, but my bag is shown in the post above, with the crossbody length strap.

If I ever try to make another "leather ornament" I will look for softer leather lacing that will drap more gracefully against the bag. I'm mostly pleased with my home-made tassel but I wonder if it looks look "too rough" or "crude" for a Coach bag, what do you think?

My Homemade Replacement Tassel:
View attachment 6107495View attachment 6107496View attachment 6107497View attachment 6107498

And here are pics of a dark brown medium soft slim duffle #1414 that were posted by @meepabeep and which show the original Coach tassel and has the strap doubled-over to be worn shoulder length:
View attachment 6107499View attachment 6107500

Love your version! But I think you should refer to it as "My Handcrafted Replacement Tassel".

 

[squeakyrose]

I have several keydob tassels and long charms and fobs and I tried all of them on my black Medium Soft Slim Duffle #1414, but none of them looked good. They were either the wrong size, wrong color, wrong hardware, or wrong style! Then I looked for a replacement tassel online but none of them were right, and they all cost more than I'd spent on the bag!

I thought about just skipping the tassel but I liked that way that the bag looked with a long tassel in the online pictures.

I already had the nickel bolt snap hardware onhand, because I'd purchased some previously from Buckleguy for another project. So I went to the Hobby Lobby and bought a few yards of black leather lacing. Then I cut four 24 inch lengths of leather, looped them over the ring one at a time and tied a knot in the center of each strand. Then I cut another strip of leather lacing and I looped it around the knots (sort of like a "hangman's noose!) and tied it in the back and trimmed it. Then I I squirted some fabric glue deep into the center of the knot for stability and let it dry.

Next, I dunked the tassel in water and spread it out between 2 towels and pressed the strands with a flat, heavy bookend to straighten out kinks in the leather. When it was dry I mosturized it and I trimmed the strands to appear approximately the same lenght. Then I touched up the cut ends of the leather with black hobby paint, and that was all that I did.

Here's are a few pictures of my homemade tassel. I've also posted a couple of pictures that @meepabeep had previously shared of her dark brown #1414 duffle so you can see how the bag looked with the original Coach tassel. Note that the crossbody strap on her bag has been doubled over to make it shoulder length, but my bag is shown in the post above, with the crossbody length strap.

If I ever try to make another "leather ornament" I will look for softer leather lacing that will drap more gracefully against the bag. I'm mostly pleased with my home-made tassel but I wonder if it looks look "too rough" or "crude" for a Coach bag, what do you think?

My Homemade Replacement Tassel:
View attachment 6107495View attachment 6107496View attachment 6107497View attachment 6107498

And here are pics of a dark brown medium soft slim duffle #1414 that were posted by @meepabeep and which show the original Coach tassel and has the strap doubled-over to be worn shoulder length:
View attachment 6107499View attachment 6107500

Very cool. Definitely as @DLHarper suggested, ‘handcrafted’. Bookmarking!

 

[katev]

I think it looks great!

Love your version! But I think you should refer to it as "My Handcrafted Replacement Tassel".

Very cool. Definitely as @DLHarper suggested, ‘handcrafted’. Bookmarking!

Thanks for your positive feedback and I do feel better about using the term "handcrafted" versus "homemade"!

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Swagger rehab in process. Before pics: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/post-36206586

Question! Opinions welcome. That front panel is so horrific that I'm re-dyeing it to cover the black marks. I've already done some work on that! However, I don't really want to re-dye any of the rest of the bag except the 4 ripped corners I'm repairing. Would the bag look crazy if I only dyed the one panel? The back side looks good as is. It does have a different sheen to it. Hubby says dye the whole thing. Other question mark in the wind: if I keep it, I like the one panel only idea. If the bag is for selling, again, would that be a problem? Different sheens on different sides? Different colors? I don't really want to lose the red undertones in the mahogany.

In process photos. Not done yet! What do you think I should do?

 

[squeakyrose]

Swagger rehab in process. Before pics: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/post-36206586

Question! Opinions welcome. That front panel is so horrific that I'm re-dyeing it to cover the black marks. I've already done some work on that! However, I don't really want to re-dye any of the rest of the bag except the 4 ripped corners I'm repairing. Would the bag look crazy if I only dyed the one panel? The back side looks good as is. It does have a different sheen to it. Hubby says dye the whole thing. Other question mark in the wind: if I keep it, I like the one panel only idea. If the bag is for selling, again, would that be a problem? Different sheens on different sides? Different colors? I don't really want to lose the red undertones in the mahogany.

In process photos. Not done yet! What do you think I should do?

View attachment 6107711View attachment 6107710View attachment 6107707View attachment 6107708View attachment 6107709

Tough one…I’d hate to see the beautiful mahogany dyed too. But I think, imo, one panel could be a tough sell. But that’s just my taste/take - others may find it cool and unusual!

 

[Tilis]

I agree with the tough sell on one panel mentioned by @squeakyrose . Is there a way you can add some red to the brown dye you are planning to use ? I definitely would also like to keep the red in the mahagony.

 

[squeakyrose]

Quick repair question… I need to make a very small repair to reinforce a vintage zipper pull where a very tiny piece of the leather layer between top and bottom has broken off and fallen out at some point. It’s above the stitching (close to ring) so just glue-in of a dot of new leather is needed. My question is what adhesive. I’m thinking leather cement? But will that hold if it were to get damp? Pulls get so much use….Thanks for your input!

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Quick repair question… I need to make a very small repair to reinforce a vintage zipper pull where a very tiny piece of the leather layer between top and bottom has broken off and fallen out at some point. It’s above the stitching (close to ring) so just glue-in of a dot of new leather is needed. My question is what adhesive. I’m thinking leather cement? But will that hold if it were to get damp? Pulls get so much use….Thanks for your input!

I use superglue if the spot doesn't need to "flex." If it does need to flex, I use Aileen's leather glue (dries stiff) or Petronio's leather cement (dries rubbery).

 

[squeakyrose]

I use superglue if the spot doesn't need to "flex." If it does need to flex, I use Aileen's leather glue (dries stiff) or Petronio's leather cement (dries rubbery).

Super helpful, thank you!

 

[ConnieinSeattle]

Sad story. I got this nice large vintage swinger bag...British Tan. Zipper kept separating. I fixed another bag with that problem before, so thought maybe I could this time. Nope. I tried to tighten the slider (brass) with a pliers and a piece of it cracked off! Now the zip doesn't move at all. The zipper tracks look perfect, I think it does just need a new slider. I'll take it to a leather repair guy and see if he thinks he can replace the slider. So, boo that I wasn't able to fix it myself. Unless... maybe buckleguy sells zipper sliders.

 

[whateve]

Sad story. I got this nice large vintage swinger bag...British Tan. Zipper kept separating. I fixed another bag with that problem before, so thought maybe I could this time. Nope. I tried to tighten the slider (brass) with a pliers and a piece of it cracked off! Now the zip doesn't move at all. The zipper tracks look perfect, I think it does just need a new slider. I'll take it to a leather repair guy and see if he thinks he can replace the slider. So, boo that I wasn't able to fix it myself. Unless... maybe buckleguy sells zipper sliders.

View attachment 6107959View attachment 6107960

There was something wonky about the zippers they used for lightweights. I had this happen to one and then it magically fixed itself. I sold it quickly before it could happen again!