NationStates Jolt Archive

erm I kinda accidentally broke a case (like a suitcase, except you put clothes and holiday stuff in it, and it's made from fabric - I forgot the actual name of the type of case) that belongs to someone else.

I unfolded the case (it's a foldable one to save space), put some clothes and stuff in the middle section, and pulled the zip (zipper) just a little bit forcefully as the case was a bit bulky - normally no problem, but the fabric that usually surrounds a zip ripped away from the fabric of the case.

Any ideas on how to fix it? Here's what it looked like before: http://www.geocities.com/pjcroad/zipper1
and here's what it looks like now: http://www.geocities.com/pjcroad/zipper2
- on the pictures, "outside" refers to the outside pockets of the case (the part which is still visible when the case is folded), and "inside" refers to the inside of the outer fabric (the part that is only visible when the case is unfolded, ie "the inside") - NOT the depths of the case where clothes and stuff go. The bit I broke is labelled "inside".

are you talking about a rice bag?

Superglue won't hold it despite what the picture says. You'll either need to stitch it together carefully with some strong thread or just buy a new one. I'd suggest buying a new one.

Superglue won't hold it despite what the picture says. You'll either need to stitch it together carefully with some strong thread or just buy a new one. I'd suggest buying a new one.

Lack of cash. Can buy superglue for a quid. Any other suggestions? :)

Lack of cash. Can buy superglue for a quid. Any other suggestions? :)

Are you good at sewing?

Are you good at sewing?

erm... possibly

won't that be very noticeable though, thus obvious I broke the case?

Abandon it at a train station. It'll get blown up by a robot and the damage won't show anymore!

The strongest/best fix would probably be to sew it back together, but that'd probably be obvious, IF the person who owns it is observant...

Or you could get a shoe-repair place or maybe a tailor shop to put a row of machine stitching on it, for the best chance of getting that from-the-factory look back again.

Super-glue probably wouldn't hold too long, but it might be okay if all you need to do is have it last long enough for the owner to use it, have it re-rip, and think he/she is the one who actually broke it! :D

erm... possibly

won't that be very noticeable though, thus obvious I broke the case?

That's something you can't avoid.

That's something you can't avoid.

can

Fergi America;11744667']The strongest/best fix would probably be to sew it back together, but that'd probably be obvious, IF the person who owns it is observant...

Or you could get a shoe-repair place or maybe a tailor shop to put a row of machine stitching on it, for the best chance of getting that from-the-factory look back again.

Super-glue probably wouldn't hold too long, but it might be okay if all you need to do is have it last long enough for the owner to use it, have it re-rip, and think he/she is the one who actually broke it! :D

how much would getting it machine stiched be likely to cost?

That's also something you SHOULD NOT avoid.

Getting a tailor or shoe-repair shop to sew it up is a good (and not really that expensive) first step. Owning up and apologizing as you hand back the repaired case is the rest of the journey.

I don't know about the UK, but here in Mich, USA I'd guess about $20 or less (probably a lot less) at a shoe-repair place. They're generally a lot cheaper than tailors, and aren't hung-up on wanting to replace the whole zip or otherwise making a Big Job out of it. Call around and ask some...

Thanks for the advice people.

Superglue it is... :)

Remember that prices in $$ are about 2x higher than in quid, so you may actually have enough... I just didn't want to bother looking up a currency converter for my other post.

And watch out that you don't leave any superglue residue showing if you really go for that ;)

Note to self: don't lend anything to Multiland.

Duct tape works everytime. :D

quit being a weenie.

superglue will not work. it may make things worse. better to leave it torn than to use superglue.

fess up to the owner what happened. its not an expensive storage box so its not going to be a huge surprise. (supposing that you werent stuffing in body parts from your latest serial killing....) give the owner the chance to decide how to deal with it. if s/he has some sewing skills s/he might decide to resew it herself (thats what i would do if it were mine) or s/he might decide that you need to pay to get it fixed (if s/he that kind of person)

its not like you broke someone's ming vase. its no big deal so be honest about it and get it over with.

erm I kinda accidentally broke a case (like a suitcase, except you put clothes and holiday stuff in it, and it's made from fabric - I forgot the actual name of the type of case) that belongs to someone else.

I unfolded the case (it's a foldable one to save space), put some clothes and stuff in the middle section, and pulled the zip (zipper) just a little bit forcefully as the case was a bit bulky - normally no problem, but the fabric that usually surrounds a zip ripped away from the fabric of the case.

Any ideas on how to fix it? Here's what it looked like before: http://www.geocities.com/pjcroad/zipper1
and here's what it looks like now: http://www.geocities.com/pjcroad/zipper2
- on the pictures, "outside" refers to the outside pockets of the case (the part which is still visible when the case is folded), and "inside" refers to the inside of the outer fabric (the part that is only visible when the case is unfolded, ie "the inside") - NOT the depths of the case where clothes and stuff go. The bit I broke is labelled "inside".
what kind of fabric? chances are, you won't beable to repair it. either toss it and buy a new one, (save up dude/dudette) or return it, and buy a new one.

and apologize.
Thanks for the advice people.

Superglue it is... :)

Superglue won't work. you can try nailpolish... but it looks beyond repair.

if it's made of polyester or whatever, which it probably is if it tore so easily, melt the edges together with a lit cigar (a small one). a lighter or match would be too inaccurate and a cigarette would burn too quick, but if you're careful with a cigar it's possible. reinforce it with duck tape from the inside to be sure. if it's cotton, or anything else natural, sew it up.

1. The guy is "that sort of person" where he could be pissed off or fine about it, depending on his mood, even though it's not my fault he bought a shit case.

2. I've found some UHU adhesive stuff in a poundshop that says it works on fabrics. Will try it later or another day :)

1. The guy is "that sort of person" where he could be pissed off or fine about it, depending on his mood, even though it's not my fault he bought a shit case.

2. I've found some UHU adhesive stuff in a poundshop that says it works on fabrics. Will try it later or another day :)

Are you dishonest and mean, or just dense? In the latter case, listen carefully now: GLUE DOES NOT WORK! It works for putting a piece of cloth on top of another one, but it can't take any force. If you glue the bag together it will break as soon as they try to put something into it. And they will easily see the dried glue, so they'll know what you did.

The minimum you can do is to hand the bag back as it is and apologise. If you want to try to repair it, sew it together with a sewing machine. But then you should still show the mend and explain what you did.