Want to add some sparkle to old suitcases? Check out this Upcycled Vintage Suitcases from Mitzi Curi! This is an exciting upcycled craft to make.
Materials:
- Vintage suitcases
- Spray paint
- Mod Podge
- Foam brush
- Wallpaper
- Sheet music
- Dryer softener sheet
Instructions:
- First, you need a vintage suitcase or two. There are plenty of these in the world, and if you can't find one this weekend at a garage sale then you just ain't lookin'! Many are made by the king of luggage, Samsonite, in a faux leather trimmed out in real leather. The plastic handles often have a strange stickiness to them, and we are going to remedy that by spray painting the trim and hardware.
- I decided to paint the edges, handle, and hardware on the hat case metallic gold.
- I painted the Samsonite case a neutral cream color. A couple coats of spray paint and the problem of the sticky plastic handle was solved. I just painted around the edges and right over the hardware. The other case in the picture below is a new cardboard case with nice looking metal hardware that I purchased on sale at JoAnn Fabrics (which I haven't finished yet).
- Next comes the fun part. I spread Mod Podge directly on the suitcase with a foam brush, then applied my wallpaper and sheet music bits. I worked in about 8" x 8" sections, and used a brayer to roll over the applied papers to make them nice and smooth, then added a top coat of Mod Podge.
- I decided to use sheet music and other neutral papers on my hat case, tearing the papers and applying them in a very haphazard manner, no measuring.
- The Samsonite case was finished with all my little bits of wallpaper along with some sheet music in an overlapping patchwork pattern. I started with the lighter colored papers and sheet music, then added the more colorful papers last.
- The flip side was finished with some of my blue wallpaper bits, for a slightly different look.
- To freshen up the insides of these cases, throw in a dryer softener sheet. Now you can use your decorated suitcase to store special fabrics, lace and trims, knitting projects, or what ever you want to keep close at hand.
