They look great! It doesn't appear that they faded at all. I don't really like VB much but I saw a black quilted backpack at a thrift store that I almost got, until I saw that a lot of the stitching was coming out.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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Thanks! I figure that if it doesn't hold up, I won't have cost me much in both money and effort! They show up at thrift stores pretty regularly but I usually pass them by (and probably on ebay too) so maybe you could get a VB backpack cheap to see if you like it. They are easy to clean!
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Very nice! I have a box of random keychains and SLGs that I'm always trying to find a reason to use. Never thought of my laptop accessories...great idea!
Hi, Whateve! I just came across your post while back reading posts on this thread. Just wondering what your process is in using fabric dye to refresh/brighten colors of leather bags? and how do you use it as paint? Will take note of it for future reference in my rehab projects. I also have some vintage coach bags that I think would benefit from your process.
I currently don't have liquid fabric dye but I do have powdered fabric dye in my craft box that I hope will do. You can use powdered dye. This is the recipe for painting: https://www.ritdye.com/techniques/the-basics/spot-dyeing/Hi, Whateve! I just came across your post while back reading posts on this thread. Just wondering what your process is in using fabric dye to refresh/brighten colors of leather bags? and how do you use it as paint? Will take note of it for future reference in my rehab projects. I also have some vintage coach bags that I think would benefit from your process.
Of course, I don't iron or machine wash. I usually use a makeup sponge for painting. After doing both the dip method and the spot dyeing method, I think I prefer the spot dyeing method for leather bags. When you dip, no matter how careful you are, the color doesn't go on even. There are always folds where the color doesn't seep in as much. When you paint, you can come back and touch up areas where the color isn't even. I save the mixed color and touch up until I'm satisfied. I don't reheat it for the touch ups.
It might be the beeswax taste.
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share some photos of my first 'major' rehab - a badly damaged camel Willis, kindly authenticated by Hyacinth several months ago.
Wow. Was this bag ever a challenge! I really overestimated how much of the staining would come out, and used so much soap in the bath that I was never able to get it all out. She dried stiff as Styrofoam and a second bath did not help any. All the piping was scuffed, there were faint ink marks and I think lipstick on the front, hardware marks and all of the edgepaint was gone leaving dirty grey suede behind.
I used more coats of Leather Therapy than I can count, and it is still lightening up months later. I actually created temporary grease marks. 3 coats of Blackrocks, and acrylic edge paint which I feathered in several shades to create an edge patina as some places required dark brown and others almost a butterscotch. There was a dremel disaster where I took off the chrome finish, ordered new hardware but didn't install it because the new shine looked super odd on this old bag. I used 2" × 2" polishing cloths instead and they minimized the hard circle pattern left by the dremel.
In some lighting, this bag is golden and patina-ed, but honesty she often looks dirty in daylight. And there is possibly some cracking on the interior suede, under the flap, that I feel I may have caused by over soaping.
Thank you, everyone for all of your help with my many questions. I could not have managed this crazy project without this forum.
I just wanted to share some photos of my first 'major' rehab - a badly damaged camel Willis, kindly authenticated by Hyacinth several months ago.
Wow. Was this bag ever a challenge! I really overestimated how much of the staining would come out, and used so much soap in the bath that I was never able to get it all out. She dried stiff as Styrofoam and a second bath did not help any. All the piping was scuffed, there were faint ink marks and I think lipstick on the front, hardware marks and all of the edgepaint was gone leaving dirty grey suede behind.
I used more coats of Leather Therapy than I can count, and it is still lightening up months later. I actually created temporary grease marks. 3 coats of Blackrocks, and acrylic edge paint which I feathered in several shades to create an edge patina as some places required dark brown and others almost a butterscotch. There was a dremel disaster where I took off the chrome finish, ordered new hardware but didn't install it because the new shine looked super odd on this old bag. I used 2" × 2" polishing cloths instead and they minimized the hard circle pattern left by the dremel.
In some lighting, this bag is golden and patina-ed, but honesty she often looks dirty in daylight. And there is possibly some cracking on the interior suede, under the flap, that I feel I may have caused by over soaping.
Thank you, everyone for all of your help with my many questions. I could not have managed this crazy project without this forum.
Attachments
The second photo is truest to color! The others seem waaaayyyy too clean. Lol.Attachments
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Thank you, Whateve! In the dip process, do you just dip the bag or are there preparations to be done to the bag prior to dipping? Also, which works better for you, acrylic or dye?
In the dip process, I bathe it first. There aren't really any other preparations. Don't get the water too hot, even though the instructions tell you to. If you are doing a newer bag, hot water will melt edge coating. You can leave the purse in the water for hours. I only use dye as a last resort. I prefer acrylic but only use it for small areas. If an entire bag is faded and normal rehabbing doesn't bring back the color, then I would use dye.Thank you, Whateve! In the dip process, do you just dip the bag or are there preparations to be done to the bag prior to dipping? Also, which works better for you, acrylic or dye?
The skinny pouch came out just fine. It was REALLY dry. I did multiple coats of CPR and two very thin coats of Montana Pitch Oil, all a day apart. It's drying again now and will do a final coat of Blackrock and buff.
The Coach imprint is very faint, that's probably the worst of leaving it in a soak for so long.
