Dyeing a handbag at home

juliapenguin

I've searched for this on the forum but can't find anything on the topic.

I've got a blue leather handbag that I want to dye black. It has a blue lining and the material surrounding the zips is blue, and these would need to be dyed black too.

Has anyone tried this at home? I'm a little wary of the potential mess, and also how effective it would be.

I do think it's a very Old Style thing to do - ladies used to dye their wedding shoes to re-use them for parties.

BitterAndTwisted

Yes, it is a bit messy but worthwhile to give an item a new lease of life. Your first job is to remove any finish or shoe-polish or whatever before you start or the dye won't take. You can do this by rubbing it all over gently with a damp cloth and some soap or you can use a proprietary shoe-conditioner solvent. Don't breathe in the fumes! Leave it to dry completely (like overnight) before you use leather dye on the bag and the zip. Wear rubber gloves and put newspaper everywhere or you'll get in a right old mess. Finish off with black Kiwi giving a proper buffing (so it won't come off on your nice white trousers)and off you go.

juliapenguin

Thanks for that, BitterAndTwisted - how do you dye the fabric lining? Do you need to use a different dye, and do you do it before or after the leather parts?

adelight

You need to use a special leather dye for the leather and possibly treat it after too. I'd dye the lining after the leather, if at all.

BitterAndTwisted

I don't understand why you would need to dye the inside of the bag. I have a black bag with a black lining and altogether too many of the items in it are black too. I CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING IN THERE FIRST TIME. It's like a blessed lucky-dip

juliapenguin

Actually, you're probably right. Maybe I should just do the outside of the bag first and then see whether the inside really needs doing. I'll report back!