Fixing crescent padding on a catchers mitt

[mikesglove]

This Spalding mitt had a series of problems: the buckle strap was broken, shoelace perimeter lacing replacing the original leather, broken down and missing stuffing inside and an ill-advised repair with a sewing machine to the crescent pad.

before:

Luckily, the mitt had no rips or tears and the leather was dry but still supple. I added a new piece of vintage leather to attach the buckle, pieced together some vintage leather lacing around the perimeter. I used some old horsehair to build up the form inside the mitt and undid the sewing machine repair around the crescent pad and using the original sewing holes I hand sewed around the crescent using the proper gauge thread. The canvas pocket inside the mitt forming the crescent was ripped and had to be sewn closed again.

after:

Cleaning the mitt was the easiest part since it was basically just dry. The color differences really jump out on the back of the mitt after the conditioning.

[Number9]

Nicely done.

[mikesglove]

Thanks. I don't do much restoring anymore. I've seen pictures of your work and you do a real nice job. Were you an art major? I was.

[Number9]

Thank you, and yes, artist turned industrial designer turned craftsman. Touching all the bases.

[mikesglove]

I saw your link to the art criticism web site. It was very funny and brought back a lot of memories. Despite all the intellectual BS in art school, It is useful to be good with ones hands. I became a woodworker and cabinet maker eventually. I remember lyrics to a song by Genesis played on boom boxes that floated through the school studios circa 1975, "I'd rather trust a man who works with his hands, you know he'll understand".