DIY: PIMP UP YOUR HANDBAGS

Good day everyone,

More good news from the house of creativity and DIY projects. Lol, okay from Kays fittings. Since my last DIY project, it seemed like something snapped in me and I've just been itching for another project. Now, in Nigeria, especially in the south, there is so much heat and humidity. One of the problems I have with such a weather is that my leather accessories (shoes and bags) don't last as long as they should. Have ever bought an outfit and it got bad or spoilt within a week of the purchase? Well, that's exactly what happened to me and it was my inspiration for this DIY project. I got a dress, and on the first day I was supposed to wear it, it got a tiny iron burn on it. I was so upset about it that day, but I didn't throw off the dress. Then, another time, I bought a green bag and was so excited about it that I decided to wear green outfits to work for the whole of the next week. You wouldn't believe what happened next. Within the first 3 days of using the bag, it started to peel! Went back to the seller who decides to replace it when her next shipment comes in, I'm still waiting.

Some years ago, a particularly design started trending in Nigeria. People made accessories (like shoes, bags, bangles e.t.c) with ankara material (Nigerian prints). I got the idea for my latest DIY project from this trend. A thought ocurred to me on tuesday night that I could actually give my burnt dress to my tailor to add a cloth or sequence or sash to the burnt area and transform the dress to another style. The moment I concluded on what exactly to add to the dress, it immediately transcribed to the bag. "I could do the same for my peeling bags" I thought. At that moment, I decided to use a cloth to cover up my bag and start using it my again. Problem was I didn't know who to give, so I decided to try it out myself. "Afterall, I fixed a shoe" I said to myself. I'll just get on with how I transformed the bag in the photo above from an ugly duckling to a swan.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• The bag you want to fix. (Not every bag fits in, some may need a professional's touch really or some sewing)
• Lace material (usually 1yard)
• Clear glue (yellow toothpaste-like pack in photo above)
• Some sequence for extra effect
• A pair of Scissors
• Measuring tape

PROCESS:

• Determine and measure the extentvof the damage so you'll know how much lace material to cut out.
• Cut the lace into the shapes and sizes you'd need. You also have to know if you simply want to cover the bag or add a design like I have done above.
• Next, glue the pieces to the bag, one piece at a time. Fold the edges so that it appears sewn rather than glued on.
• For the extra puzaz, add the sequence, equally spaced or in a certain pattern so it doesn't come out tackier than when you started.

** make sure to wipe off any glue that spills out on the edge. This particular glue easily comes out the hands. You can also choose a different color of lace or sequence as long as it turns out beautiful.

So there you have it! Who ever said you couldn't eat your cake and still have it? I  made the mistake of showing the end product to my mum, now I have about 3 bags to fix. Lol. Have a great day.

Cheers....