| How to Stretch a Leather Bag Posted: 11 Jun 2020 05:00 PM PDT A professional leather repair shop should have no problem stretching your bag out. This is the safest way to make a leather bag bigger, but you can certainly save some money stretching it at home! Realistically, the solutions here may expand the leather , but you aren't going to double the size of the bag or anything like that. Keep in mind, since the process for stretching leather does not stretch out other fabrics the same way, these solutions will not make the inside of your bag bigger if there's a tight fabric lining inside. [Edit]Filling the Bag to Stretch it Out - Find a pillow that is slightly larger than the inside of your bag. Look around your home for a throw pillow, couch pillow, or some small cushion that is roughly bigger than your bag on each side. If your bag is really big, you may be able to use a standard pillow for this. If you have multiple pillows that will work, use the stiffest pillow available.[1]
- You can line the bag with a shirt or towel and add the pillow after to make the interior of the bag a little smaller if you don't have a perfect pillow for this.
- Empty your bag to avoid odd indentations or uneven stretching. Open the bag and take everything out. Look inside each smaller compartment and run your hand along the interior lining of the bag to make sure you got everything. If you stretch the bag with something inside of it, it may cause the leather to stretch in a weird way or leave a mark on the leather.[2]
- Stuff the pillow inside the bag and zip it up if possible. Compress the pillow in your hands and push it inside of your bag. Tuck the corners of the pillow into the corners of the bag and line it up so that the pillow is sitting evenly inside of the bag. If you have a zipper, push the pillow down a little and zip the bag if you can.[3]
- If the pillow is pushing on the bag so hard that you can't zip the bag, don't try to zip it shut. You're just going to break the bag if you close it when it's stuffed too full. Zipping the bag isn't mandatory for this to work anyway, so it's not worth risking it.
- Let the bag sit with the pillow inside for 1-3 days to stretch it out. Set the bag in your closet or some other place where it won't get damaged or in your way. Let the pillow sit inside of the bag to stretch the leather out gently over time. The pillow will slowly force the leather to expand and your bag may get a little bigger.[4]
- You may need to keep the pillow inside of the bag for much longer if you aren't seeing any results. Realistically, you can leave the pillow inside for as long as you want. Let the bag rest for 2-3 months if you don't need it right away and want to stretch it as wide as you can.
[Edit]Using a Stretching Spray - Pick up a leather stretching spray designed for shoes. Go online or stop by your local shoe store and pick up a bottle of leather stretching spray. This spray is typically designed for shoes, but there's no reason it won't work on a leather bag.[5]
- Expect to spend $5-15 on a leather stretching spray.
- You can use a leather conditioning spray instead if you simply want to soften the leather up. This may make your bag feel bigger without stretching the material too much.
- Stuff the bag with a pillow or newspaper to expand the leather. You aren't going to stretch the leather out very much if you don't stuff the bag with something to keep the material spread out. Either tuck a pillow inside of the bag or ball up enough newspaper to fill the bag entirely. Zip the bag if you have a zipper.[6]
- Shake the stretching spray and spritz the first side of your bag. Shake the stretching spray back and forth for 5-10 seconds to mix the ingredients up and activate the spray. Take the cap of the spray off and hold the nozzle from the side of your bag. Spray your bag back and forth to cover the entire side of the bag.[7]
- You can spray and buff each side of the bag separately, or coat the bag entirely in the spray and wipe it down all at once. Do whatever is easier for you.
- Work the spray into the leather by rubbing it with a microfiber cloth. Grab a dry, clean microfiber cloth and gently work the leather stretching spray into the surface of the leather. Use firm circular motions and back-and-forth strokes to work the spray into the leather. Continue wiping until there is no leather stretching spray visibly sitting on the surface of the bag.[8]
- Repeat this process on the other sides of the bag and let the leather air dry. Continue spritzing and buffing the surface of the bag until you've worked the spray into every portion of the bag. Let the leather air dry and keep the newspaper or pillow inside the bag for 1-3 hours. Remove the pillow or newspaper after you're done to finish stretching the bag.[9]
- You may need to repeat this process multiple times to see any results.
[Edit]Soaking the Straps in Alcohol and Water - Fill a small bin with a 1:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and water. Grab a small bucket or storage bin that is big enough to submerge your straps. Fill it up 1/3 of the way with rubbing alcohol. Then, fill another 1/3 of the container with regular tap water. Use a wooden spoon or mixing stick to mix the solution together.[10]
- This will work, but it may wash out any dyes or ink on your bag. If your handles have any patterns or colors on them, this is likely not a good idea.
- Soak the handles in the solution for 15-30 seconds. Empty your bag out entirely and flip it upside down. Lower the straps under the surface of the solution. Use your spoon or mixing stick to push the straps down if they won't stay under the surface. Keep the straps submerged for 15-30 seconds to give the solution time to soak through.[11]
- Lift the bag out and hang it by the straps with a heavy object inside. Pull the bag up out of the solution and wait 5-10 seconds for the excess alcohol and water to drip off into the bucket. Then, hang the bag on a hook or tension rod over a sink, tub, or bucket. Set a brick, weight, or other heavy object inside of the bag to weigh it down.[12]
- Let the bag hang and air dry for 8-12 hours to stretch it out. Wait for the heavy object to stretch the leather out after the alcohol has softened it up. Keep it on the hook or tension rod for half a day or so. After the bag is completely dry, take it down and enjoy your newly stretched out handles![13]
- If your bag has a cloth or fabric interior, stretching the leather won't actually make the bag bigger. The process for stretching leather will not make polyester, cotton, or linen expand the same way.
[Edit]Warnings - It's really not worth doing any of this with a vintage or designer bag. You will dramatically diminish the value of the bag and it may mess with any dyes or logos on the bag. You're better off simply selling the bag if it's too small for you and buying a new one!
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Filling the Bag to Stretch it Out [Edit]Using a Stretching Spray - Pillow or newspaper
- Leather stretching spray
- Microfiber cloth
- Leather conditioner (optional)
[Edit]Soaking the Bag in Alcohol and Water - Rubbing alcohol
- Water
- Spoon or mixing stick
- Hook or tension rod
- Bucket
- Blow dryer (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Hole in a Glass Bottle Posted: 11 Jun 2020 09:00 AM PDT Knowing how to safely drill holes in glass bottles can open up new horizons for your crafting and decorating projects. And it's a lot easier than you might think—in fact, it's just like drilling a hole in any other surface, only with a few key precautions to keep in mind. The most important of these are to equip yourself with the right bit, make sure your bottle is properly secured, and take it slow and easy with your drill to avoid breaking the delicate glass. [Edit]Marking and Positioning the Bottle - Mark the spot where you want to put the hole with masking tape. Tear off two strips of tape and cross them over your intended drilling site in an 'X' shape. Smooth both strips with your finger so that they're lying nice and flat.[1]
- You can also use painter's tape, medical tape, or another textured type of tape if you don't have any masking tape on hand. Duct or electrical tape may also do the trick, but be warned that they'll be slicker than other varieties.[2]
- The tape will not only help you keep track of where your hole needs to go, but also provide a little traction for the drill bit, keeping it from slipping on the slick glass.
- Draw a dot at the center of the tape. Take a felt-tipped marker or ink pen and scribble a bold, dark circle at the middle of the section where the two pieces of tape overlap. Make sure your dot is large enough to be plainly visible.[3]
- This dot will serve as a kind of bullseye for your drill bit, allowing you to fine-tune the placement of your hole.
- Place the bottle on a folded towel or similar makeshift pad. Any kind of broad, soft item with a little give will work here—it could be a seat cushion, a scrap piece of carpet or foam, or even an old t-shirt. Lay the bottle flat against your makeshift pad with the taped side facing up.[4]
- You'll have the easiest time drilling your bottle when it's resting on a work surface that's around waist- or chest-high.
[Edit]Drilling the Hole - Fit a power drill with a small spear-tipped carbide or diamond bit. You'll be using this bit to open up a starter hole, which you can then bore out to the exact size you want. Once you've selected your starter bit, slip the bottom of the shaft into the business end of your drill, pressing down on it forcefully to confirm that it's fully seated.[5]
- It's important to make sure that the bit you're working with is tipped with either carbide or diamond. Both are very strong materials that will easily cut into the fragile glass without shattering it.[6]
- Spear-tipped bits come in a wide range of diameters, so you should have no trouble finding a set that's just the right size for your project. to .[7]}}
- Grip the neck of the bottle firmly with your non-dominant hand to secure it. For the sake of safety and precision, use this hand to hold the bottle as still as possible while reserving your dominant hand to do the actual drilling. Make sure your bracing hand is a safe distance away from the spot where you plan on making your hole.[8]
- Tilting the upper portion of the bottle up at a 30-45 degree angle can put it in a more natural position for drilling. That way, you won't have to try to move your drill straight up and down.
- Another option is to place your pad on the ground, kneel over the bottle, and squeeze the neck between your knees to hold it steady.[9]
- Find a way to keep thick glass cool and wet as you drill. The least complicated solution is to simply pause every 5-10 seconds and spray the bottle with some cold water. You can also set up your materials inside a shallow basin in the sink and turn on the faucet so that the stream flows continuously over the bottle while you work. Yet another option is to fill a bottle with water, poke a hole in it, and direct the trickle over the spot you're drilling.[10]
- For a more traditional approach, you can also mold a hunk of plumber's putty into a ring, press it onto the bottle around your drilling site, and pour some water into it to form a "dam."[11]
- The friction of the drill bit on the glass will generate a lot of heat. The warmer the glass gets, the higher its chances of cracking or shattering.
- Make a precise starter hole using low speed and moderate pressure. Align the pointed tip of the bit with the center of the crossed tape and hold the drill so that it forms a right angle with the surface of the glass. Squeeze the trigger of the drill lightly while pressing the bit straight into the bottle. Keep drilling until the tip of the bit clears the interior side.[12]
- Consider putting on cut-resistant gloves, a safety mask, and some type of eye protection before you begin drilling to limit your exposure to potentially-irritating dust particles.[13]
- It may take several seconds to get all the way through the glass, especially if it's particularly thick.
- Throw on a larger bit and drill again to widen the hole to the desired size. Perform your follow-up rounds of drilling the same way you did the first, positioning the bit perpendicularly with the bottle and guiding it straight in with light-to-moderate pressure. When you're done, you should have a nice, clean hole to show for your efforts.[14]
- Remember to keep the glass cool and lubricated each time you put drill to bottle.
- It shouldn't be necessary to change bits more than 2 or 3 times. If your hole needs to be especially big, it will be easier to simply use a hole cutting bit.
[Edit]Smoothing and Covering the Hole - File or sand the inner edges of larger holes to smooth them out. When you're satisfied with the size of your hole, insert a file or some high-grit sandpaper wrapped around an awl or similar tool into the hole and work your way around the edges. This will wear down any sharp or jagged edges that could pose a safety risk.[15]
- This step is optional. There's no need to file or sand the finished hole if you're going to be using your bottle as a hands-off decoration.
- Rinse the bottle thoroughly to wash off any lingering particles of glass dust. Hold the bottle under a stream of cool running water, rotating it to hit every part of the outer surface. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and there are no visible traces of debris on either the bottle or the hole.[16]
- Don't forget to flush out the inside of the bottle, as well. The best way to do this is to fill it up about one-third of the way, swish the water around, and dump it out through the neck.
- Install a rubber grommet over the hole to prevent wear to other materials. If you're going to be feeding string, rope, cable, or anything else through the hole in your bottle, it's a good idea to have an additional means of protection in place. Look no further than a cheap rubber grommet. With most basic grommets, all you have to do is align the device with the hole and press it in until it seats securely.[17]
- You can pick up a 2-pack of rubber grommets for around $1 at any hardware shop or home improvement center, as well as most craft supply stores. Be sure to pick out grommets that match the diameter of your hole.
- Curving a small piece of tape around the inner edge of the hole will also do the trick if you're not too particular about looks.
- The method described here will also work on a multitude of other glass objects, as well, including window panels, mason jars, drinking glasses, vases, jugs, and even thick-walled aquariums and cases.
[Edit]Warnings - Never drill closer than from either end of a glass bottle. Doing so will almost certainly cause it to break.
- It should go without saying, but once you've drilled a hole in your bottle, it will no longer be suitable for drinking or functioning as a beverage container.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Glass bottle
- Masking tape, painter's tape, or other type of textured tape
- Felt-tipped marker or ink pen
- Soft towel or similar item
- Power drill
- Spear-tipped carbide or diamond drill bits of various sizes
- Cold water
- Water
- Rubber grommet
- Hole cutting bit (optional)
- Gloves, facemask, and eye protection (optional)
- Round file (optional)
- Awl or similar tool (optional)
- High-grit sandpaper (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Make an Ocean Scent with Essential Oils Posted: 11 Jun 2020 01:00 AM PDT If you're stuck at home, you may be dreaming of warmer weather and future vacation plans, like a trip to the beach. Unfortunately, you can't bottle up the smell of the ocean and take it with you—but you can recreate some of your favorite beachy smells with an essential oil diffuser. Play around with different herbal, floral, and fruity essential oils until you create the perfect scent to fill your living space. With the right oils and scents at your disposal, your home can smell like the ocean in a matter of minutes! [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Fresh Ocean Breeze - 2 drops of geranium oil
- 1 drop of cedarwood oil
- 2 drops of vetiver oil
- 2 drops of ylang-ylang oil
[Edit]Refreshing Ocean Mist - 3 drops of geranium oil
- 3 drops of cedarwood oil
- 3 drops of ylang-ylang oil
- 3 drops of rose oil
[Edit]Clean Ocean Scent - 4 drops of lime oil
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 1 drop of eucalyptus oil
- 1 drop of rosemary oil
[Edit]Sun-kissed Scent - 3 drops of lime oil
- 2 drops of spearmint oil
- 2 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of grapefruit oil
[Edit]Beach Bonfire - 3 drops of cedarwood oil
- 2 drops of rosemary oil
- 2 drops of royal Hawaiian sandalwood oil
- 1 drop of citronella oil
[Edit]Creating Fresh Ocean Scents - Mix geranium, cedarwood, ylang-ylang, and vetiver oil for a beach breeze scent. Rifle through your essential oil stash and look for bottles of geranium, vetiver, cedarwood, and ylang-ylang oil. Add 2 drops of geranium oil, 1 drop of cedarwood oil, 2 drops of vetiver oil, and 2 drops of ylang-ylang oil into your diffuser of choice. Once your diffuser is full, take a deep breath and pretend that you're enjoying a day at your favorite beach.[1]
- You can find most essential oils online, or in a home goods store.
- Ylang-ylang oil comes from a tropical tree, while vetiver is a type of grass.
- Use geranium, ylang-ylang, rose, and cedarwood oil for a fresh ocean scent. Add 3 drops of geranium essential oil to your diffuser to give the scent a fresh, floral base, then round it out with 3 drops of ylang-ylang and rose essential oil to a refreshing twist. Round out the scent 3 drops of cedarwood oil to give your mixture a rustic vibe. [2]
- This is a great scent to try if you'd like to pretend you're on an island getaway.
- Blend lime, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender oil for a clean ocean vibe. Add 4 drops of lime essential oil into your diffuser to create a base for your refreshing, beachy scent. Squeeze in 3 drops of lavender oil, 1 drop of eucalyptus oil, and 1 drop of rosemary oil as a finishing touch. Enjoy this smell while unwinding from a tough day, or use it to freshen up your living space![3]
- While this scent may not smell exactly like the ocean, you'll still feel like you're on the beach.
[Edit]Making Beachy or Tropical Scents - Make a warm, sunny scent with orange, lemongrass, peppermint, and eucalyptus. Pretend you're walking enjoying a day in the sun by adding 3 drops of orange and lemongrass essential oil into your diffuser. Mix in 1 drop of both eucalyptus and peppermint oil to round out the scent.[4]
- These oils help mimic the fruity, refreshing atmosphere of the beach.
- Mix cedar, rosemary, citronella, and sandalwood for a beach bonfire vibe. Squeeze 3 drops of cedarwood essential oil to start off your scent. Then, mix in 2 drops of rosemary and royal Hawaiian sandalwood oil. As a finishing touch, mix in 1 drop of citronella oil. When combined, these oils can create a smoky but refreshing take on a beach bonfire![5]
- Create a warm, tropical scent with bergamot and ylang-ylang oil. Nothing can replace a day at the beach, but you can try to replicate the scent with 4 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil and 2 drops of bergamot oil. Mix both ingredients into your diffuser of choice, and enjoy![6]
- When combined, these oils create a great tropical, fruity scent.
- Electric and reed diffusers are great for spreading a fresh, ocean scent throughout a room.[7]
- You can always experiment with different essential oils and make your own scent! Consider playing around with lemongrass, spruce, basil, coriander, eucalyptus, and many other scents![8]
[Edit]Warnings - Essential oils are not meant to be eaten. If you live around small children or pets, try to store your diffuser in a safe place.[9]
- If you get essential oils in your eyes, rinse them off with cool running water. If you spill any oils on your skin, wash the affected area with soap and water.[10]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Essential oil diffuser
- Reed diffuser
[Edit]References |
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