Replacing a broken zip on a leather handbag.

VfM4meplse

I have a sturdy handbag I'd like to continue using, if it weren't for the fact the zip is bust (by that I mean the zip puller and slider have somehow become fully detached and lost, so I'm left with a gaping open handbag with 2 rows of teeth).

There's plenty of life left in the bag itself, but I'm wondering whether it is actually worth replacing the zip, given that the bag itself didn't cost a huge amount? Obviously I need to make enquiry with a specialist repair shop, but would be a reasonable price for replacing a heavy-duty zip of around 18"?

Gers

Try Timpsons the shoe repair place.

buildersdaughter

I have just tried to find how much I spent on getting a good handbag repaired a few year ago, but my 'transaction analyser' won't play ball! I remember it was quite a lot but worth it for a very good bag that had been a special gift about 20 years previously.
This is who I used:
http://www.leathergoodsrepairs.co.uk/Handbag_Doctor.htm
You ring them up and they will give you a 'ball park' quote, but of course, postage doesn't come cheap!

It's not something you can do at home really. A few very old machines will sew leather, but you really need specialist equipment.

suki1964

Ring around a few places, cobblers, seamstresses, and saddlers, even upholsterers , don't just look at places offering handbag repairs

All of those crafts should have a machine that goes through leather

oldhaggis

I had a similar problem about two years ago and asked at my local independent cobbler. He said he was unable to do it but gave me the name of a cobbler in the next town who specialised in handbag repairs. The specialist did an excellent job and charged £18.50 inclusive of the zip. They used a 22 inch zip. The opening is about 14 inches and the remaining 8 inches was not cut but left inside the bag.