Vintage Suitcase in Dashing Red Polka Dots!
Sunday, December 27, 2009 at 7:47PM (
I just love 'before and after' posts, don't you? A new project.. a vintage suitcase, I am re-furbishing for my daughter's doll clothes. Honestly, when I started to hunt for one, I knew exactly what I wanted. An older, vintage suitcase, generous size yet small, in GOOD condition, a charming color, that need little to no work. Ha! lol! What was I thinking? No, really.. that's like asking for a man that cooks, cleans, brings home the bacon and rubs your feet! Well,needless to say, my searching left me empty handed. I did find this beast, in what appeared to be, rotten condition. After a very close inspection, the 'bones' of the piece were great! Solid wood, dovetail corners, hinges in working order and the lock, although without it's key, worked too..
The above shot shows me mid-stripping. I just peeled away all of the paper that was no longer fully attached. It took awhile but you need to get all the loose paper off, or the new layers of paper/fabric you put on will just bubble up.
I painted around all the hinges with red. A nice bright red to match my fabric choice. I probably should have primed it first, but hey, I like things done quickly. I did this so that I didn't have to get my fabric exactly to the edge of all the hinges and buckles. I like things quick, remember? It would not have been an easy task to do since the hardware doesn't remove and it has plenty of curves.
After the paint had dried (well, ok, I didn't even wait for that) I started with the bottom. (Get the hardest sections over with first, as whenever I start a project I am methodical and precise for about half of it, then the last half of the job I just fudge it.)
I looked for Modge Podge but Walmart was all out so I bought Royal Coat Decoupage Finish and it worked perfect. Slapped it on with a foam brush and laid the fabric on top. The corners were tricky. Can I tell you my secret? No, I did every corner completely different! It really is amazing that I get anything done... :P As best as I could, I cut away excess fabric, tucked, glued, pressed and pulled and voila! Nearly perfect! (the glue in the below picture hadn't been whipped off yet but you can see the curvy hinges, the corner folds and the 'before' condition..)
Isn't it charming!? I just love the fabric. I choose it for several reasons, (and yes, they are logical..) One, it had not been prewashed, so it was stiff and still had the sizing in it. Two, it was dark enough that the dark stripes on the case wouldn't show through and the grime from use wouldn't show either, and Three, well it's fabulous! It makes the piece feel very 'Cathe Kidston'don't ya think?
I haven't finished the inside yet. The top photo shows the inside partially covered with papers from the wonderful Melissa over at The Garden of Pink shadows. If I finish it though, then it goes into the hands of my 2 yr old and my 4 yr old... aahhhh well... atleast I'll get to see it everyday. And putting away their doll clothes will be so much more fun! I see more of these in my future. It was so much fun to do. Hhhhmmm.. I wonder what else I can decoupage? The dogs perhaps? They would look fantastic in a floral! heheehee...
UPDATE:
All finished!
There really is nothing like breathing life into a forgotten piece.. it stays out of a landfill, I save money, and my girls get a pretty case that should now last them a lifetime.
xoxo~
Abbie
The girls love it! It works perfect for all the handmade clothes and knit accessories they got for Christmas.
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Reader Comments (27)
Wonderful suitcase restoration. I love red and polka dots so you had me at Hello.
I am especially charmed that you are giving this to your daughter for doll clothes. So many gorgeous projects are kept tucked away safely but never enjoyed. I'd rather see something used by those I love.
Lovely!
How charming! I do love before-and-after shots. I have an old case that has been patiently waiting for me to alter, only my case will be for me! I want a funky case to use as my to go art travel kit. Looking at my calendar, it will likely be March before I can get to this project. All good things come to those who wait. Alas, my case must wait at least a few more months.
I'd love to see a photo of your daughter enjoying the case. :)
{soul hugs}
k
This is absolutely adorable! You just have a gift you know!
Love,
Sue
great job, it looks super
absolutely outstanding - it is beautiful~!~
Abbie, it's beautiful. I'm so excited to find you here. I've had some ongoing trouble with my blogroll and I've been away for some time. Anyway, just happy to see you here. Now off I am to see your exciting new venture. It looks great!
That really is a fabulous example or recycling something that has so much soul and turning it back into a thing of beauty. I came here via Melissa's blog and when I first saw the pic she posted, I thought the red was PAINT! What a fine job you did with FABRIC! I have an old suitcase that is blah brown. Now I know what to do with it. I don't know when I will get around to it, but I love what you did! Bravo!
You are such a generous soul, giving this to your daughter! No you did tell her to leave it open always, did you? Great job!
What a great idea! I love the finished product.
Very very cute! I love any type of patchwork/collage of different patterns. Your colors are Valentine-ey too! I'm inspired to try the same project.
Please post some photos of the decoupaged dog. *wink wink*
I love the case!!! I keep my kids artwork (ton-age) in some old hardside leather trimmed suitcases with homemade tags that say each of their names so they can run with them if the day ever comes they will move out!!!!!!!!!
Amy
Came over from Melissa's blog. What a super transformation! I have a few of those little striped suitcases, but they are too cute to cover. I will have to be on the look out for one that is not so cute. thanks for the inspiration!
:)Heidi
Just beautiful!! I need to hunt down a suitcase now, because I need to do this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Wow! I like how you did that! And I like how you described how you start out so precise and then fudge it, that is SO me! Next time I run across one of these banged up old suitcases. I am going to have to take a second look. Love it!
Oh this is so cute! What a lovely way to recycle! Just as cute as it can be!
Charming!
Oh my lovely! That is just stunning. I absolutely love it. I always knew "Abbies" were creative :) Glad I found your blog!
love this. I am going hunting tomorrow!
Abbie,
I'm Meggan's sister-in-law, and she told me about this tutorial on your page because I'm wanting to Modge Podge some fabric onto the front of a dresser I am refinishing for my daughters room, and I've looked at some other tutorials that have been an INSANE amount of work ( I'm talking like 14 coats of modge podge with sanding every 2 or three coats, oh my goodness I almost gave up the idea just reading about it!) So it was nice to see that there are other women out there that want to make cute things for their kids without having to spend hours and hours and HOURS making it :) Thanks for that...I now feel comfortable enough to just go ahead and make the dresser the way I saw in my mind ! :)
Well done! Your daughter must be so trilled. : ) Thanks for sharing.
This is fabulous! I'd seen other "suitcase redos" but wasn't satisfied. They were too "frilly", but this is great - for children young and old! Now I know what to do with my grandmother's old suitcases I inherited when she passed away! And "Gran" will love it too because she LOVED color!! Thanks so much for sharing! Jan Fursdon
Regards from Australia
What a lovely website and very pretty and clever idea with the red and white polka dots and the inner paper lining is lovely. Also loved your blow by blow and how each corner fold ended up and had a bit of a giggle it is so like me when I am wrapping presents. I start out with the best of intentions and then I just keep on folding and sticking the parcel with lots of tape to keep the bulky folds from bursting open. You have done a really lovely and neat job. I want to also thank you for your generosity with the gifting of labels and wish you a lovely day and life. Many thanks once again. Julz