Leather repair

Bargain_Rzl

I have a lovely leather bag that was quite expensive when I bought it, which needs a stitching repair. I've been told by my local cobbler that they can't do anything because of the thickness of the leather at the point on the bag where the repair's needed - they said I'd need to find somebody to repair it by hand "but I doubt if you'll find anybody who will be able to do that these days"...

...which sounds like an old style challenge to me!

Any ideas? I live in Welling, Kent, and work near London Bridge, so would prefer a recommendation in or near one of these areas if possible.

It's a gorgeous bag but the strap's completely come away so I can't use it at all until it's fixed!

Nile

Hello Bargain Rzl


Did you take the bag to a high street shoe repair (eg Timpsons) shop? Our back street cobbler does hand stitching repairs to bags and purses and charges around £2.50.

If you go to a high street/well known chain.........they're bound to charge more and probably won't offer the hand stitching service.

comping_cat

Might be worth asking in the shop you bought it from, they might be able to send it somewhere for you!!!

born_blonde

There are still a lot of Leatherworkers around if you know where to look for them, try
https://www.craft-fair.co.uk for a contact or google leatherworker. If you happen to know anyone into battle re-enactment they will certainly know some one.

D&DD

I would have thought if the leather was that thick it would have to be done by machine Industrial machines would go through quite a few thicknesses but would probably scar the leather (the foot would scrape it) but a specialist leather machine would do it..Not many of them about over here now most of our factories have closed down.Try looking up leather manufacturers on the web?

katieowl_2

Can't YOU do it by hand? If the leather is not torn and just come unstitched, you can usually line up the previous holes and sew back through them - the trick is to find a big strong meaty needle,that will pass with relative ease through the holes, and to use a heavy duty thread, and to wax thread (I keep a block of beeswax to hand for this) it to strengthen it further.

Useful items will include a pair of pliers for pulling stuck needle through, and a chopping board for pressing from behind!!! Can you tell I had done this ;0 you do need to be careful though!!!

If the leather has broken though and there are no holes to sew through, sometimes you can make a row of your own, using a hammer and pointy object, then proceed as above.

Worth a try??

Regards

Kate

Bargain_Rzl

Nile - it wasn't Timpsons/Mr Minit - it was an independent place, though not one I normally use.

katieowl - I'm rubbish at that sort of thing and I'm sure it would end up looking a mess. But yes, it's just the stitching. If I have no luck elsewhere I'll try it.

catowen - the shop I bought it from was Debenhams so can't think they'd be much help.

Basically the straps on this bag are made of tightly rolled leather, and are fixed to the metal loops on the bag by the end of the strap being flattened out, hooked around and tucked back into the roll of leather - if that makes sense (???) so it really is a thick piece of strap that needs to be stitched.

There are a couple of places on Borough High Street near my office which look quite promising so I will drop in and see what they say.

Contains_Mild_Peril

I've tried stitching leather myself (with waxed thread as Katieowl suggests), but I never seem to be able to get it tight enough when I'm finishing off. It may be worth asking a furniture restorer/upholsterer if they can help. Years ago, I used to work with a local furniture project where we had people who could also fix things like old leather suitcases.

katieowl_2

<< I never seem to be able to get it tight enough when I'm finishing off.>>

Have been known to assist finishing off process with a dab of superglue on occassions. Haven't tried on leather, but have tried on jewelwry where I never seem to be able to get the thread tight enough to the clasp.

Regards

Kate

skintchick

Is the leather actually broken? Or has the loop just pulled undone?

Because....you can get fabric glue that works on leather and you may be able to fix it with that if it has just pulled out of the loop. (I think I know what you meant!)

Jay-Jay_4

Do you have a master saddlers near to you? I've just had a saddle re-flocked (restuffed) and that's some serious stitching!!!


Have a look in your yellow pages under saddlers (maybe equestrian suppliers).