Simple Leather Bag Repairs You Can Do at Home

Q: How do I fix a leather strap that came loose?

If the stitching has failed, re-stitch it with waxed thread or reattach it with rivets. Rivets are quicker and very strong at stress points.

By Xan Hood, Founder of Buffalo Jackson

The short answer

Most everyday leather bag repairs need only a few tools and a small workbench: a hole punch, a rivet setter with rivets, a hammer and a steel block, sharp leather shears, an awl, and an edge slicker. With those you can add a strap hole, reattach a loose strap or D-ring with a rivet, and seal a fraying edge. Torn panels, broken zippers and big stitching jobs are better left to a leather repair shop.

Own a leather bag long enough and something will happen to it. It'll fall out of the truck. It'll get stained, stretched or overloaded. A strap will work loose, a snap will pull out, a D-ring will give. The good news is that leather is one of the few materials you can fix yourself, and most of these repairs are simpler than they look.

Watch: Simple Repairs for Your Leather Bag

0:19Why every bag needs a repair eventually
0:49Punching a new hole
1:05Knife, hammer and shears
1:24Slicking an edge
1:48Setting a rivet
2:13Your starter kit

The basic leather repair kit

You don't need a leather shop. A small bench and these tools will handle most fixes.

Tool	What it's for
Hole punch	Adding holes to a strap or belt. A rotary punch or a set of drive punches both work.
Rivets and a rivet setter	Reattaching straps, tabs and D-rings. Rivets come in two parts, a post and a cap.
Hammer and a steel block	Driving punches and setting rivets. Any flat piece of scrap steel makes a good block.
Leather shears or a sharp knife	Trimming straps and cutting replacement pieces cleanly.
Edge slicker	Burnishing a cut edge so it's smooth and sealed instead of fuzzy.
Awl	Marking and opening stitch holes. Store it point-down in a wine cork.
Waxed thread and needles	Hand-stitching a seam that's come loose.

How to punch a new hole in a strap

Buckle the strap where you want it and mark the new spot with your awl.
Measure the gap between the existing holes so the new one lines up and matches.
Set the strap on a hard surface and punch straight down with a punch the same size as the old holes.
Smooth the hole with your finger or a damp slicker so the edges don't fray.

This is also how you lengthen a bag strap with a new piece of leather: punch matching holes and join the pieces with rivets.

How to set a rivet

Punch a hole through every layer you're joining, just big enough for the rivet post.
Push the post up from the back and press the cap on from the front.
Set the post on your steel block. Many rivet setters come with a small anvil with a curved (convex) dip that fits the back of the rivet.
Put the setter on the cap and strike it with the hammer a few firm times until the rivet is tight and doesn't spin.

Rivets are the fix for a strap tab, handle or D-ring that has pulled loose. They're often stronger than the stitching they replace.

How to slick a rough edge

Trim any loose fibers with a sharp knife.
Lightly wet the edge with water.
Rub the slicker back and forth along the edge with firm pressure until it turns smooth and glossy.

A slicked edge seals the leather, looks finished, and stops a strap from fraying further.

Scratches, tears and cracks

Not every problem is a hardware problem. For surface damage, these guides go step by step:

After any repair, a light coat of leather conditioner helps the worked area blend back in.

When to take it to a pro

Call a leather repair shop for a broken zipper, a torn main panel, a seam that has opened along the length of the bag, or anything structural on a bag you can't afford to get wrong. A good cobbler or saddle shop can usually handle these.

Frequently asked questions

Can I repair a leather bag myself?

Yes, for most small repairs. Adding strap holes, reattaching straps or D-rings with rivets, and smoothing rough edges all take basic tools and a few minutes.

What tools do I need to repair a leather bag?

A hole punch, rivets and a rivet setter, a hammer and steel block, leather shears or a sharp knife, an edge slicker, an awl, and waxed thread with needles for stitching.

How do I fix a leather strap that came loose?

If the stitching has failed, you can re-stitch it with waxed thread or reattach it with rivets. Rivets are quicker and very strong at stress points.

How do I add a hole to a leather strap?

Mark the spot, match the spacing of the existing holes, and punch straight through on a hard surface with a punch the same size as the old holes.

What is an edge slicker for?

It burnishes the cut edge of leather. With a little water and friction, the fibers smooth down and seal, so the edge looks finished and stops fraying.

Can a broken zipper on a leather bag be fixed?

Usually, but it's a job for a leather repair shop or cobbler, since replacing a zipper means removing and re-stitching it.

Should I condition leather after a repair?

Yes. A light coat of conditioner helps the repaired area match the rest of the bag and keeps the leather from drying out.