~Shabby Suitcase Project~





~Shabby Suitcase~





~MATERIALS~

~Please read all instructions before starting~

Suitcase
Board (approx 3
mm thick) (enough for inside bottom and inside top of your case)
Paint for outside and inside lip (I used a spray paint)
Fabric (amount needed will depend on the size of your case) (mine needed almost 2 meters)
Lace (look for a lace that ribbon can be threaded through)
Ribbon
Thin Batting
Craft Glue
Pegs to hold it together while glue dries.
Sewing machine for gathering fabric
(general sewing notions)

~OUTSIDE~
Clean the outside of your case using a damp sponge.  When dry, spray paint the entire outside, and then the  inside lip of both the lid and bottom. (Make sure to allow sufficent dry time between coats as per spray paint recommendations (You can use an undercoat if you wish but I was impatient and didn't have any on hand and just kept spraying  layers until it was covered)


Spray painting the outside





(A).  Inserting crochet cotton between zigzag stitches for easy gathering




~BOTTOM SIDES GATHERS~
  You need to measure the 4 sides and x by 2 to give you the length of fabric required for the gathers inside, and then the height of the sides and add 5 cm so you have plenty to tuck underneath
(eg....my case was 60 x 36 x 60 x 36 = 196 cm x 2 = 392 cm) so I needed a piece of fabric 3.92 cm long x 18 cm wide (my height was 13 cm + 5 cm)

Sew the two narrow ends, right sides together to form a loop.  Fold over and sew a 1/4 in seam all the way around (the long edge).
This edge then needs to be gathered using either a gathering foot, or a gathering stitch.
(I used an old dressmaker trick by using crochet cotton and a zigzag stitch for easy gathers (A)(B)

Once gathered pull up gathers to fit inside the bottom.  (Pegs come in handy to hold in place while working your gathers around)  Once happy with your gathers run a line of craft glue around the edge and using pegs to hold in place glue your ruffled piece just under the lip of the bottom.. When dry sort gathers so the fabric sits neatly and push into the bottom with excess sitting neatly ready for base board. (C) Allow sufficient time to dry before proceeding with the base insert. (D)


(B) Zigzag gathers


(C) Pegging gathers before gluing

(D) Gathers glued in place



~BOTTOM BASE INSERT~
Using the measures measurements you took before for the sides (mine were the 60 x 36 x 60 x 36 cm)(E) you need to cut a piece of board slightly smaller than these to allow for fabric.  Test the board inside your case making sure it fits....if not adjust as necessary.  Once cut, measure out a piece of batting again slightly smaller than the board you have cut, and glue lightly in place to one side of the board..  Using your board as a template and adding 3cm all the way round cut fabric (this allows for turning the fabric to glue in place)

Place your fabric wrong side up and then place the board with the batting face down on the fabric.(F)  Run a line of glue near to the edge (of the board) and fold over the fabric onto the glue using pegs to hold in place....continue doing this all the way around stretching the fabric slightly to keep it taut.  (G) Allow to dry.  Sit the fabric covered board inside your case....it should sit firm and not move.  If its loose you may need to glue the whole piece in making sure its central .(H)

(E) Cut the boards allowing enough room to fit with all fabric

(F) Run glue underneath and stick fabric firmly tightening as you go

(G) Make sure fabric is tight

(H) Place base in bottom making sure gathers sit neatly around and glue in if needed





~TOP POCKET~
Cut a piece of lace 3/4 the width of the lid but twice as long (mine was 28 cm wide x 120 cm long) If you are threading ribbon through the lace cut 2 pieces the width of the lid and starting from the center top of the lace thread them outwards towards the narrow edge  with raw edges matching.  Turn under and run a 1/4 seam along the sides catching in the ribbon on both sides and then turn under a 1/4 inch seam on the bottom, and then gather the bottom edge using which ever method you prefer, to fit the width of the lid.  (I)

~LID LINING~
Line the top using the same method as the bottom (measure around edge x 2 then measure depth and add 3cm to tuck under top lining, cut, then sew narrow edges rights sides together and  gather as per bottom.  Pull up gathers to fit under the lip and using pegs to hold while glueing in place)  Measure your board as per bottom cutting slightly smaller for fabric allowance.  Lay main fabric wrong side up and using board as template cut fabric 3 cm wider than board  (This allows for turning fabric over to glue in place) using template again cut 1 piece of batting. Glue batting to board.   DO NOT GLUE FABRIC TO BOARD AT THIS POINT  With your main fabric piece measure 5 cm up from the bottom of the fabric (it will only be 2 cm when the fabric is attached to the board) and 3.5 cm in, on the sides and pin pocket bottom pulling up gathers as needed. The top will now be loose so just tie up ribbons loosely.  Pin in place and sew around the sides and bottom.  Once your pocket is sewn you can now place fabric wrong side up and place board with batting face down on fabric and glue fabric in place remembering to keep fabric tight.  Allow time for glue to dry before inserting and gluing in lid.  Your case is now finished ✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿

                      (I) Lace pocket                        


~RIBBON~
This is optional:  If you have enough fabric you can make a matching bow.  Cut a strip of fabric 75 cm x 7 cm.  Press under a 1/4 seam all the way around including narrow edges and sew.  Tie bow to handle.


44 comments:

  1. Love this idea and going to have a go myself...just need to find myself an old suitcase :) Thank you for the tutorial.

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    1. Your welcome Pam...I just hope you can follow my instructions.

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  2. What ever was I thinking, I found the button for tutorials, please disregard my first comment. Thanks for a neat idea.

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  3. Great tutorial. Thank you. Also love your blog background and all the embellishments!

    Debra

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  4. So very beautiful! I have a vintage suitcase and plan to copy your amazing idea! Thank you for sharing step by step! Karen

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  5. This is a fantastic tutorial and just what I've been looking for since I just purchased 2 suitcases that look really boring. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  6. This was fantastic! I always wondered how to do the gathers. I even tried once. It was a failure....Thanks for sharing this.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  7. I love it! I have an old American Voyager suit case that was my mothers. I wish I knew how to sew. I love shabby chic and some how I have to do this project. Thanks for sharing! :)

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  8. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I made this case and I absolutely love and adore it. I had to make my own patchwork as I didn't have suitable fabric, but it worked very well - Thank you again!

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  9. Thank you, one of the easiest and best explained tutorials I've seen.

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  10. Thanks for the tutorial.....I was looking for one about turning an Los suitcase into a sewing basket......this tutorial is really good"you've done a lovely job
    Anne

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  11. It is just gorgeous! You did such a beautiful job on this! Love it!

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  12. This is a truly beautiful project! We love it!

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  13. You did such a great job on your first tutorial. I just have to convert to inches. :)
    That is the cutest thing. I am definitely going to try this one.

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  14. What a thorough and well done tutorial, complete with helpful tips and tricks! BRAVO :)

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  15. Incredible!!
    I love it so much!
    Thanks so much, and a lot of kisses!!!! <3<3<3<3<3<3

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  16. Incredible!!
    I love it so much!
    Thanks so much, and a lot of kisses!!!! <3<3<3<3<3<3

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  17. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  18. Absolutely delightful!! You did a beautiful job!! Love the colors, so girly, just everything is so much fun! I am totally inspired......I have numerous suitcases & this is going to be so much fun!! Thank you!!

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  19. Fantastic first tutorial! We hope to see many more.

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  20. Beautifully written tutorial and equally beautiful finished project. Most definitely would like to try this.

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  21. This is so beautiful and creative! Very inspiring...maybe one day I'll have the time and the need for a cute little suicase

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  22. Lost my comment. What type of material was the suitcase made out of. I know the old roller skate case would be perfect, but haven't been able to find anything metal. I have my mom's old samsonite suitcase, do you think it would hold the paint? Did you use a special type of spray paint? Thank you for sharing your ideas. Really a beautiful project.

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    1. I am not sure of the material my case was made from....it is kinda like a really strong cardboard.....I am sure anything can stand up to spray paint....you might just have to use an undercoat on a Samsonite because they are smooth plastic aren't they....and no I just used a regular spray paint ...nothing special.

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  23. Love this! I have been searching a way to bring my vintage train case back to life! thanks

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  24. Love the suitcase. I just painted one and am using your lace pocket idea. Thanks for a great tutorial.

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  25. Thank you sooooo much for taking the time to create such a lovely upcycled suitcase tutorial.... One of the most beautiful and creative I've seen for sure....

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    1. What about using coragated (plastic) cardboard instead of wood? I'm just concerned about luggage weight when traveling and think wood would add a lot more weight then coragated cardboard. Plus not like anything really heavy goes in suite cases generally just clothes and if the luggage is hard sided ??

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  26. Hi Vicky......I am unsure whether cardboard would work as the fabric is pulled quite taut and I would think the cardoard would buckle. You can only try though. My case was made up purely as a display piece and not for actual travel. I would never risk a vintage piece for actual travel as baggage handlers have very litle care for peoples property.

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    1. Ok I totally agree, but I was thinking it would be a cool carry on bag. Super Cute Bag ! Great Idea!

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  27. I'm late to the game, having just found your tutorial. How delightful! It looks like something I'd expect to find in an upscale boutique - and I have just the ratty suitcase at home to do something similar. Thanks so much for posting this inspired makeover!

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  28. I'm so glad to have finally found this! I saw this suitcase somewhere a while back and haven't found it again until today. I have a suitcase and fabric but I am not finding book board in a large enough. Can you tell me where I could get some? Your tutorial is awesome and your project is beautiful!

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    1. Hi...I am sorry I do not know what 'Book Board' is...the board we have here in Australia is available in various thickness's and we can but it from most hardware stores.....perhaps if you go to a wood yard maybe you might be able to find something similar. Good luck I hope you find some :)

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  29. My comment didn't post so I will try again. I am so happy to have found this tutorial. I saw this suitcase a while back an haven't been able to find it again until today. Your project turned out beautiful! I have everything but the book board and am not finding any large enough. Can you tell me where I could get some? Thanks!

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  30. I just love this! Beautiful fabrics. Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Someone special is getting one just like this for her birthday. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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  31. Looks terrific! Thank you for sharing!!

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  32. I love how you finished the suitcase. I have done several but not thought to do the bottom using a board. I love it. Much easier. Another wonderful thing to add to the outside would be an image transfer. Just beautiful colors.

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  33. I truly love this project. However, I am also a silly american, it took me a few minutes to realize that a peg was a clothes pin. Silly me.

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  34. Just found your blog and tutorial via Pinterest - just beautiful creations here. Thank you for taking the time to do and share the tutorial with us. I've been clearing out my attic and you've inspired me to try and transform 2 old suitcases I bought some 40 years ago using an old Laura Ashley baby cover quilt and some cream window lace. Just need to pop to the shop for spray paint.Thank you x

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  35. Great information I love your information buy handicraft

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