How can I repair pool pocket tops

[Linwood]

8 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

If you get the black replacements, see if you can hold onto the defective pockets. Get them to a leatherworker, who can use them as a pattern to make "real leather" pockets. That way, you can have any colour you want.

If the retailer will not leave you with the defective pockets, try to get a tracing of the flattened out pocket after removal and lots of photos before and after removal. Then, see if a leatherworker can deal with that.

@Rockoboy, thanks for the idea.  At worst I can just buy a set from the manufacturer as patterns, but trying to retain one is obviously better.  Now this may come as a silly question but... How does one find a "real" Leather worker who might have the experience to do such a thing?   Ask around saddle shops perhaps?   I'd much prefer to find someone local, so if there are issues fitting it, etc. they might actually be able to come see.  Would the sort I need advertise as "Leatherworker" or Boot repair or.... ?

[fredk]

Probably not a boot / shoe cobbler, but ask in equestrian and gun stores if they know a leatherworker. I reckon you're best bet will be through a gun store; they'll probably have contact with a holster maker. Holster makers work in lighter weight leather and generally don't mind to do it;  saddle makers work in heavier weight leathers and may not have what you need

As for samples to get or retain; I reckon you'll need three - the middle side and one from each end. The end pockets may not be exactly the same but made a bit 'lop-sided'

[Linwood]

Thanks; the good news is all 6 pockets are identical.  When installed the sides stretch a bit differently but not much, like a quarter or half inch, but surprisingly when they came in they were all the same.

[Rockoboy]

19 hours ago, Linwood said:

How does one find a "real" Leather worker who might have the experience to do such a thing?

First place I would look, would be the forum main page of this website. There's a lot of people looking for, and some offering the services of, leatherworkers in a section for exactly this purpose.

Post a message with as much detail as possible, maybe a pic or 2 and see who raises their hand. Just be careful about how you include an email or phone number. (There's info on that somewhere on this site as well).