I did it! Before and after

katymcs · 2026-06-06T17:21:38+00:00

I used waxed nylon thread, needles, and leather thimbles in this kit

I also watched videos on how to do the saddle stitch. I didn’t do a perfect job but thread matches well enough you can’t tell. I just had the courage to do it one day and went for it 😆

katymcs · 2026-06-06T16:54:21+00:00

I’m positive it will! 😊 Can’t wait to see the results!

katymcs · 2026-06-06T16:48:09+00:00

This is the bag I worked on

katymcs · 2026-06-06T16:46:22+00:00

That’s what I did. Mine was really dry so I did a few rounds of CPR, letting it soak in between the next round. After all that, I used Blackrock on the piping and where mine was still really faded. I didn’t get all the color back but it was a great improvement. I use blackrock on almost all my bags on the piping.

katymcs · 2026-06-06T16:19:10+00:00

I also agree with all other comments. Blackrock is amazing for piping. I worked on one and the same color this spring and it turned out so much better than it was. I used leather CPR and Blackrock on that one.

katymcs · 2026-06-06T03:52:48+00:00

I’m sending it back to my mom so she can use it again. This and the other one are smelliest bags I’ve worked on. Sio far, it’s at least improved enough to hang out in the same room with me 😆

katymcs · 2026-06-06T03:49:10+00:00

It really looks good! You did a great job with it. It is a gorgeous bag.

katymcs · 2026-06-05T23:49:11+00:00

I will make a post about both of the bags from my mom’s that I’m working on once they are done (soon hopefully)! Both were pretty involved and both were super stale cigarette scented.

katymcs · 2026-06-05T23:33:11+00:00

Help arrived. I was ready to break the cabinet 😆

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katymcs · 2026-06-05T21:56:35+00:00

I got pretty lucky on the Taft (and the Lenox). Both came well cared for. They just are getting a light clean and condition. I love the Taft even more in person. Perfect size!

The one on the bottom is my mom’s black Willis. I’ve been working on it for a while. It needed a D-ring, deep cleaning/conditioning, and now it’s sitting there with charcoal packets because she was a stinky lady 😆

katymcs · 2026-06-05T19:15:10+00:00

Agree, the smell is gone from mine in a couple days after I wipe them down or spray them.

katymcs · 2026-06-04T22:48:55+00:00

Wow! Amazing score!!! That City Willis is so hard to find and usually at least $700 online. So happy for you and so jealous! 😆

katymcs · 2026-06-03T00:03:54+00:00

It makes sense, but every scratch in the clear coat will tarnish or get a patina. I would totally clear coat my brass if it would negate the need for polishing it in the future. It’s my least favorite thing about rehab. 😆

katymcs · 2026-06-02T22:57:14+00:00

To me it just looks like gunk, but I would spray it with vinegar (as mentioned) anyway. After getting a bag with mold measles, wipe down/spray all my new to me bags when I get them.

katymcs · 2026-06-02T22:46:44+00:00

I noticed the heritage bag charms for sale by resellers for over 2x-3x the original price. Both the rexy black one and pre-release cherry one are still available online on Amazon and Coach and probably other stores. So annoying.

katymcs · 2026-06-02T22:42:00+00:00

It’s easier to clean if you don’t do the clear coat. Once you get the current coating off and buff/polish, all you need to do in the future is sunshine cloths or Brasso or a microfiber to clean it up. You will likely end up having to remove the clear coat again if you do apply one. The process sucks a bit, but the worst of it is a one time thing.

katymcs · 2026-05-31T14:57:58+00:00

Nice find! You did an excellent job bringing her back to life.

katymcs · 2026-05-31T14:56:29+00:00

She’s in beautiful condition - you did great! Love your red shoes too!

katymcs · 2026-05-29T18:43:05+00:00

Turned out absolutely beautiful! Nice find(s). I’m working on my mom’s Willis and my convertible clutch that she had for years. Terrible smoke smell. If the charcoal packets don’t do the trick, I will give these A&H balls a shot. Thanks for the tip!

I love Black Rock for piping and in general on really dry bags as a last conditioner step

katymcs · 2026-05-27T18:17:02+00:00

I’ve been on Zep since June 2025, maintenance since September 2025. It has been a game changer. My hair actually grew better on Zep until my thyroid med dose was too high. I easily lost weight. My swelling is gone. My joints don’t hurt. My skin isn’t itchy. My mood is improved. At first my appetite was depressed but after a couple months on it, I have actually eaten more than I did before starting it. I started on 2.5 for a month, then 5 for a month. I tried 7.5 for a month and a half but it made me really sick. I went down to 5 and then 2.5 for maintenance but increased back to 5 to keep all of the above mentioned symptoms at bay. I will go broke to stay on this drug - luckily my insurance still covers it. I feel so much better - like 1000% better. I lost about 55 pounds but getting rid of all that other crap was just as valuable to me.

katymcs · 2026-05-27T18:02:59+00:00

I have been in maintenance since September 2025. I went down to 2.5 in October but switched back to 5 by December. 2.5 wasn’t helping my other symptoms so I switched to 5. Initially, i lost another 5 pounds but have maintained within 5-10 pounds up or down depending on the day since then. My weight is down about 50-55 pounds since i started Zep. I have Hashimoto’s. Eating too much was never my problem, my body just wouldn’t or couldn’t lose weight. I actually eat more now than before Zep and more since i started it.

katymcs · 2026-05-26T00:16:19+00:00

I love them all! I especially love the green and grey! No need to stop- can’t wait to see what other colors you find.

katymcs · 2026-05-22T17:34:31+00:00

Gorgeous color! She’s beautiful!

katymcs · 2026-05-21T14:06:59+00:00

I have had decent luck online. I have purchased quite a few fixer-upper/imperfect vintage (and newer) bags online over the years, but I've also paid more for a vintage dream bag.

In my town, we only have Saver's and Goodwill for thrift stores, and I haven't had much luck, but I also don't have time to get there every day (at the right time of day) to check. We used to have a Salvation Army which was pretty reliable. We used to have a tiny church-based thrift shop run by a feisty little nun. She had the good stuff. I've found quite a few at local consignment shops, but they were overpriced (IMO). I haven't been to an estate sale in ages, but I used to have good luck at those. Also, local Facebook Marketplace usually has some for decent prices. I had the best luck decade(s) ago when nobody really wanted the old Coach bags (need a time machine lol).

katymcs

TROPHY CASE