Antique Suitcase

I have have been wanting an older looking suitcase for a while now, but didn't ever find one with in my price range. The other day at a thirft store I came a cross this and decided I would try antiquing it myself. If you start reading this and say "Why in the world didn't she just do ....." then PLEASE comment and share your ideas with the rest of us. I am learning just like you. :o)

First I pulled out the interior lining. Once again, I forgot to take a before picture, but you know what a suitcase looks like. This one was blue and had pockets all over in it.

Then I measured how much fabric I would need to recover. Measure down the side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Do it both ways. My measurements were 22x28 for the bottom and 16x22 for the top. Then cut a slit where the corners will be to help fold a nice corner.

Here's the tricky part...attaching the material. This was a first for me to do something so big.

I used two products- Mod Podge (which you see) and a spray adhesive. I did the bottom part first (which is actually the top of this picture). I didn't care too much about the bottom because that will have a blanket or something in it and won't show. I made the mistake of covering all of the sides first with MP and then tried to work my fabric. It didn't work so hot because the MP dried quicker than I could place my fabric and then some of it would get stuck in places that it shouldn't. But I worked through it and it turned out alright.

I did the top a little differently. I started with just a 6" or so spot and worked out from there on the sides. I also sprayed the adhesive on the big flat surface and that was easier to work with to smooth. Then I plastered the whole thing (except for the bottom - won't show) with MP to seal it up nice. I let it dry over night.

On to the outside. I wanted to add some aging to this little feller. Only way I know how is to do a faux paint job. I painted the trim first. Then I took a paper towel (or sponge if you have one - I didn't) and get a THIN coat of paint on it. Then LIGHTLY rub in circlish motions or a big sweeping motion, or blotch it on there. Whatever way you like it. And TA DA. An older looking suitcase. :o)

(Yes, my top bubbled, but good enough for what I am using it for - any ideas how to prevent this?)

Perfect for sitting in.

Or sit on top. :o)

And just a side note - If you didn't notice by now, you will see that most of the time my craft room is a mess. Drive my hubby nuts. Me too sometimes, but I HATE cleaning up a project until it is finished. By the time I spend an hour unpacking it and setting up, I have no time to even do it with the kiddo's around. Any one else have this problem? Or maybe you are just more on top of it than I am. ;-)

*I do not get paid to use the products in any of my posts unless otherwise stated. I use what I like and I like to try new things.