Isn't Exactly Gucci...

In preparation for our trip to see Tarzan's family tomorrow - TOMORROW!! - I pulled out my travelling "purse" - which is to say, the slightly undersized duffel bag I use as my 'personal item' on the airplane. I love it because it is roomy, with enough pockets to separate all my stuff - I'm neurotic, I admit it - but when less than jammed full, it doesn't collapse on itself and still looks good.
However, after many moons of use, the handles were starting to fray:
I dislike when one part wears out when the rest of the item still works fine:
So I decided to see if I could fix it. I looked through our many (i.e. two) types of industrial type tapes (duct and electrical) and settled on the electrical for a few reasons:

1. It is strong and flexible
2. It lays flat and smooth
3. I had a lot of it
4. It matched the color of my shoulder bag

What I did was select some lightweight cardboard. Like unto a cereal box and cut two strips per handle: Then I tacked it in place, one piece on either side: And wound the electrical tape around from one end to the other:Voila! Smooth, reinforced, flexible, consistant handle:
This is me, happy to be able to smuggle a small child onto the plane in my bag again.