Hat box repair...

[gtdean48]

Has anybody fixed a vintage hat box that is in good order but the tape that holds the top of the lid to the sides is torn? What type of tape is this or what has been used to replace it? TIA

 

[RBH]

I have used packing tape to 'fix' the insides of a box before.

 

[gtdean48]

Thanks Rusty. This is on the outside. Looks like a black tape used on the lid as well as the bottom, to connect top & bottom ovals with the sides. Guess I could get some black duct tape!

 

[scotrace]

Same here. I use the brown/tan postal tape, as it blends well. Use it on the inside, obviously. lol

 

[barrowjh]

I glue them from the inside anymore, go to elaborate configurations to place objects strategically to 'flatten out' a concave (or convex) section and push sections together as necessary, sometimes have to do this over several days to 'work my way around' an oval box. Let a section dry overnight before moving 6 inches around to the next good 'spot.' Always do this over a foundation of wax paper. I generally do not care if the interior of the hat box shows that it has been repaired, so I don't make much effort to conceal the repair from the inside. Done right, it isn't visible from the outside except through very close inspection.

I have learned how to make a fair replica of the original hat forms also - hint here is that regular poster board often is not long enough (or strong enough). Catch some mat board on sale at a local craft store and get a sheet or two of a dull non-deyed board. If an Alabama grad can figure out a fix, anybody can.

 

[VitaminG]

I spent the weekend at my mother's house and she was so taken by my Stylemaster that she dragged out an old hatbox, insisting that I should have it. She had been using it to store miscellaneous bits and pieces on top of her wardrobe and figured that I could put it to its proper use.

It is a proper old piece of luggage, with 3 latches (2 of them locking), a carry handle and metal feet. It has a metal lip around the opening and is lined with cloth (cotton?) in a floral pattern with an internal pocket in the lid. The box does appear to be made of cardboard though.

My question: the bottom is separating from the sides thanks to the weight of the odds'n'sods mum was storing in it. The edge is covered in some kind of black cloth tape which was stitched at the bottom and sides to the box. I had hoped I could restitch the tape to restore it but in some sections the original stitching has caused the cardboard to come apart and the piece of cardboard between the stitching and the edge is long gone. The same thing has happened in some sections of the bottom.

How hard is this to fix? Because of the cloth lining, I'm not too keen to just tape it up internally as recommended above. Could I use gaffa tape or something similar to repair it? I figured gaffa tape, being wider, would get around the issue with the damage to the edges. Would this then have to be stitched?