Friday, February 4, 2011

Another Suitcase Makeover

Wow, I can tell I'm getting bored!  I redid another suitcase today using Mod Podge and some retro-licious fabric I found at Walmart.  It's called Santa Fe Paisley.  The 2 fabrics (inside and out) do coordinate and there was a third one to the set but it was brown so I decided not to get it.

I bought a vintage Samsonite suitcase with that lovely beige marble covering at Salvation Army along with a matching cosmetic case (square train case) that I haven't done anything with yet.  After removing the lining I was surprised to find that these old suitcases are actual wood inside.  Wow!  I then used Krylon spray paint in Bahama Blue and sprayed multiple coats to cover the outside. 

I was going to leave it blue and just paint dots or something on it to coordinate with the fabric and even went and painstakingly picked out coordinating colors of acrylic paint at Hobby Lobby but today decided to use the patchwork and instead just Mod Podge it to the outside.  It reminds me of those 70s patchwork hippie skirts.  I'm going to spray paint a coat of clear on top to give it a more smooth feel.  The Mod Podge did seal the fabric but it feels kind of gritty.

For the inside I cut the turquoise paisley, ironed a 1/2 inch hem around the pieces and glued them in place.  For the piece that goes over the two sides, instead of using butcher paper like the original, I just used fusible webbing and 2 scrap pieces of fabric to make it stiff and glued that into place.

I kind of like it.  My daughter said, "What are you doing this for?"  When I told her she could take the suitcase to college, she informed me she doesn't like retro so no.  That's okay, I'll use it to store my collection of vintage linens or something or maybe I'll carry it off to college myself ... just kidding.

6 comments:

  1. This is so AWESOME. I love it - love the papers that you chose.

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  2. I love that fabric! I got some at Walmart last year and made kitchen curtains out of it. I LOVE your suitcase. Goodwill here I come!!

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  3. This is fabulous! Great job! I would just display it in my home...get several and stack them!

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  4. I would take it to college it is beautiful.... I love it.

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  5. I was reading back thru your posts and noticed shasta went to Sioux City for some work... I am from Sioux City...lol... always strikes me funny when I see it some where like this... I hope they took good care of her..

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  6. I love cases all cases revamped ones too this is nice
    and I love that your redoing a camper
    thanks for your list of camper ideas
    I don't have one but it is an idea I have had in my mind for some years.

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