How do I fix this hole?

[BRUN]

Got a hole in this buckskin.Any suggestions on how to fix it?Thanks

 

[Black Hand]

Trim the edges of the hole and cut a patch that is the same size and shape from similar leather. Sew the patch in place from the inside but only stitch through about 1/2 to 3/4 of the leather thickness (the stitches should not be visible on the outside of the bag). This will pull the edges together. Wet the seam and gently tap with a hammer, stick etc to flatten the seam a bit (it puckers a little when stitched). Try NOT to use that stitching awl that is in your picture, it will make too big a hole.

 

[BRUN]

Thanks.Im not sure if its a rb hole or a oops on the skinners part.I couldnt find a way to adjust the leather so the hole wasnt in the bag.Thanks again.

 

[LRB]

You are making a representation of a homemade bag, hastily constructed. A totally utilitarian affair. I would sew the patch so that the stitching would show, and not be too careful about doing it. I think it is begging for a crudeish repair to compliment the rest. That can be an awesome looking bag if antiqued a little. I like it!

 

[Blizzard of '93]

How about covering it with decoration of some sort or maybe a pair of pockets sewed on for small objects?

 

[AeroncaTAL]

Why not some ticking patch material?
Scott

 

[CrackStock]

I would wet it and then sew it puckered like most people do with hides anyway. Otherwise, you might find a brightly colored piece of wool to sew underneath it and show it rather than hide it. Make up tales of how you were shot at and missed...

You could also cut the hole into a decorative shape and it would look pretty good with a colorful backing. Depends whether you want simple utility, tall tale potential or show out of your bag.

CS

 

[BRUN]

Thanks to all for the great ideas!!I was thinking about putting some elk teeth from elk I have harvested on the bag.I have heard that they were decoration for native womens dresses,but would they be OK for a bag?

 

[BRUN]

Fixed the hole with a peice of leather sewn behind it.Now how do I get rid of that white thread look?And I oiled it.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Have you tried leather stains? Or fabric dyes? You don't say what kind of thread was used, so its hard to recommend a dye source for you. Ordinary brown shoe polish often will do a little " make- up " work on such a patching job, until you find the right stuff to stain the thread permanently.

 

[BRUN]

It is waxed polyester thread.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Synce Syntentics are not hollow, you are going to have to find some kind of paint to cover those threads. I would have used a more natural fiber for the sewing, so it could be covered, and colored. Don't feel badly. I used Synthetic " sinew " which is waxed nylon or something like you have, to sew up the holes in my elkskin pants, and to do the seams. I don't regret the seam work, as I did the pants inside out, and the threads don't show, but the patches do. Oh, well, It only took me another 20 years to learn how I could use that mistake to help someone else. I just wish I could have told you before you did the sewing. Its a relatively small hole, so you could pull the thread snd resew it with someting better, or at least not so obvious. Leave the last couple of stitches in place while you run the new threads through the other existing needle holes. When you have most of the patch sewed on again, you can take the rest of the stitches out, and throw the thread away. Leaving the original thread in place will help hold the patch in the same location, so that you can get the holes for the new thead to stay lined up with existing hole in the bag.

 

[bob1961]

i'd make a patch fer it the size of the hole and use a baseball stitch that's sewn from the seam from under each side as ya go along, understand :v ..............bob

 

[BRUN]

Thanks for the tip Paul.I do have some leg sinew I was saving for something else,but I think I could spare a little for this repair.It would look better.

 

[LRB]

I think it looks good. With a bit of experimenting, you might find a way to darken the thread.

 

[tom hargrove]

i wouldnt worry about it it will age in time and it looks like a proper repair ,some bag makers would charge extra just to add a fake repair. i think that it gives a nice touch to an already fine looking bag. :thumbsup:

 

[BRUN]

I grabbed some yucca(freebee on the side of the road) on the way home from work and Im goin to re-stitch it.That white is buggin me.

 

[Tim Clark]

I'm not the best at describing the method, but here goes.

Instead of a patch, fold the leather so the long(er) axis of the hole is along the fold. If the curvature is too severe, trim a little bit at the fold, you want it to look like a flat canoe shape; the "ends" of the "canoe" are what you'd be snipping. Sew it up, best using a whip stitch. By the way, the leather would really be best if damp or slightly soaked. When done, the hole will actually appear more like a scar than anything else. Use about 8 times as much tread or sinew as the length of the hole, as measured along the fold.

Clear as mud now, right? Sorry. Hope it helped.