CARE OF HANDBAGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1939, Page 8

CARE OF HANDBAGS

USEFUL HINTS. Before using a new leather handbag give it a good polish with a reliable brand of furniture cream. Put on the cream ‘sparingly and evenly, first smearing it over the face of a clean, soft duster. A blob of cream leaves a mark on delicate leather, but a thin film evenly applied and well rubbed in, forms a protective coating on the leather. Afterwards, anything spilled or rubbed on to the bag will remain on the surface and can be easily removed. Expensive leather handbags, whilst retaining a good appearance outside, often become dirty and untidy inside, but a new lease of life can be given to them by relining them. The part that wears out the quickest is the division for money —as a rule made of kid. , If it is not very soiled it can be cleaned with a little milk. Do not rub too hard, and if possible dry in the open air, as this helps to keep it white.

To make a new division, measure the length and width of the existing lining. Then cut a piece of strong material to the same size, allowing a quarter of an inch all the way round for turnings. The tops of an old pair of white kid gloves will serve excellently. After turning in the rough edges, stitch press studs on the wrong side, three-quarters of an inch apart. The corresponding halves of the fasteners are stitched round the top edge of the existing lining to correspond with those on the material. The new lining is simply fastened in on top of the old one. and can be taken oil’ at any time for cleaning, or can be replaced with a new piece.

If the inside flap is beginning to look shabby, stitch a new piece of material over it. This can be usually obtained to match the old lining. Edges of handbags are apt to get torn with constant use, and these can be neatly bound with moire ribbon of the same shade as the leather.