Replacing purse handles? ETA the damage and some handle types

I have 2 leather totes that need replacement handles. One just broke right off yesterday The other is damaged but usable.

I do know a leather worker, but he's over an hour away and with my schedule I won't be able to get there for weeks. Then he may not be able to fix them straightaway. I don't want my bags out of comission that long!

So- I started looking on Etsy for leather bag handles. There are sew on types, clip on types, and screw on types. Has anyone tried to DIY bag handles, and what's most durable? TBH my sewing skills are not great, but these have the holes punched out so maybe wouldn't be that hard to do.
Advice?

ETA- photos of damage and some options of replacement styles. I'd want real leather of course, these are just some ways they fasten.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1.....ne-leather
https://www.etsy.com/listing/5.....-strap-for
https://www.etsy.com/listing/6.....askets-and

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1 year ago

Joy

Veteran

Good luck! If you have a craft store nearby, you might ask there. I was going to say sewing, but leather is tough and you may need special tough needles or a special machine. Do you have a cobbler nearby? They may be able to do the job and suggest what to get. Clasps are usually the first to go on my bags.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW Suntiger, I would find out the cost of the repairs first. It might be more cost-effective to get a new tote in the sales. I tried to have an old leather Furla wallet fixed - it was the SAME price to buy a new one on sale.

Sewing leather is tricky and you need special tools! That's why it's a skilled trade and expensive. Maybe you can manage with the punched holes, although it would need to look perfect. At least, I would need the result to look perfect. Bags are my thing

Anonymous

Nearby? Hahahahahaha!
There's a purse repair place in Annapolis (a cobbler too), which isn't exactly nearby, but they're high. The leather worker has done easy repairs for me before, and didn't charge much.

I prefer to just change the handles instead of replacing. One bag is the nice tooled leather one.

RobinF

If the metal loops that the handle attaches to are fine I would just get some clip on ones. Or you could get a guitar strap type of handle. If you don't have those loops then it will be a lot harder.

It's the top handles, not long one for both. The brown bag actually does have a long strap too I could use, but it's way too big to be comfortable as a crossbody.
The burgundy bag doesn't have a way to do that at all. The metal loops are pretty close to the bag, so I think clipping would be harder.

Zaeobi

I guess the other possibility would be to call up & check the leatherworker's schedule ahead of time. That way they get a heads up for when you're coming & can clear some time for you (if you let them know what needs to be done) so hopefully you won't be waiting too long for the results?

Agreed that leather needs a skilled hand to fix - it's not something I'd try to DIY unfortunately, unless I felt confident about it.

I left a message for him, but his voicemail said something about being off 15 days. Not sure when the 15 days started though. Hope he's ok!

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