10 Repairs We Can't Do (And What to Do Instead)

At The Seam, our expert Makers handle everything from shoe repair and handbag repair to clothing alterations and jewellery repair across the UK. But every week we turn down so many enquiries, because some materials and kinds of damage can't be fixed without making things worse. Here are the repairs we're asked for most often but can't do, and what you can do instead.

1. Plastic Shoe Repair

Moulded PVC sneakers are usually made in one piece, so there's no sole to replace and no seam to stitch. Glue can't grip the smooth, bendy surface and peels off almost straight away. Instead, check whether the brand runs a take-back or recycling scheme, and look for stitched or glued soles next time, since those can be resoled.

2. Cracked Acrylic Bags

Acrylic bags look like sculpture, and that's the problem when they crack. The break shows straight through the clear material, and glue clouds the surface around it. If the crack is on a handle, ask the brand whether they sell replacement parts. For leather and fabric bags, our bag repair service can help.

3. Heels Worn Too Far

A heel tip replacement is one of the quickest, cheapest shoe repairs there is. But keep walking once the tip has gone and you're on the metal pin, splitting the heel and shredding its covering. At that point it may not be fixable at all. Hear metal on pavement? Book your heel repair straight away.

4. Glitter Shoe Repair

Glitter finishes are thousands of tiny particles set in a coating, so a scuffed patch can't be painted back to match. Any touch-up looks flat against the sparkle. We can still replace heel tips and soles on glitter shoes.

5. Bleach, Sun and Sweat Stains

Spot-dyeing faded patches almost never matches the fabric around them, and often leaves a halo that's worse than the stain. Some clothes can be overdyed all over in a darker colour. Our favourite fix is custom embroidery, which turns the mark into a feature.

6. Mirror-Finish

Chrome hardware? Yes, we can often restore it. Mirror-effect shoes or bags? Sadly not. The reflective film scratches, crinkles and lifts, and no paint or polish recreates a true mirror surface. Treat them as occasion wear and store them wrapped.

7. Patent and Faux Leather Repair

Real leather can be cleaned, recoloured and restored with leather repair. Patent and faux leather can't, because the damage sits in a coating on top. Once faux leather starts to peel or flake, it won't stop. We can often still fix zips, stitching or hardware.

8. Shrunk Wool Jumpers

Once wool has felted, the change is in the fabric itself, so it's not something we can repair. If your jumper still feels soft and has some give, though, it can often be eased back into shape at home with a gentle soak and careful blocking. Our guide on how to unshrink a wool jumper walks you through it step by step.

9. Logo Repainting

Hand-painting a brand's logo raises counterfeiting concerns, and a slightly-off logo draws more attention than a faded one. We can clean and restore the leather or fabric around it, which often makes a big difference. For anything more, try the brand's aftercare service.

10. Dirty or Mouldy Items

Please wash it first! Dirt hides damage and stops glue and thread from holding. Mould is worse: spores spread, and one mouldy bag can affect everything around it in the studio. Store bags in breathable cotton dust bags, somewhere cool and dry.

Not Sure If Your Item Can Be Repaired?

Most shoes, bags, clothes and jewellery can be saved by the right maker. Send us a photo and our Makers will tell you what's possible.