Useful tips
If you have old suitcases at home, in your country house or in your closet, you shouldn’t throw them away right away.
The fact is, from suitcases, even the oldest and most hopeless ones, you can make completely new things that will be more functional and useful.
Here are a few interesting ideas And useful tips how you can repurpose an old suitcase to give it a second life:
Useful things from an old suitcase
Coffee table
Small enough to fit even in a hallway and functional enough to be used as a coffee table.
Column
You might not want to turn your suitcase into a speaker, but this conversion looks pretty impressive.
Dollhouse
You can make one yourself or purchase it online. It all depends on your capabilities and desires.
Cat bed
If you have one or more cats at home, you may want to create a comfortable place for them to rest.
Cabinet in the bathroom
Looks beautiful and holds a lot of different useful things for the bathroom.
How to make other things out of a suitcase
Dresser
For such a chest of drawers you will need several suitcases. However, it can be made from 2 or 3 suitcases. You can store tools or various things that don’t fit well in it.
Read also: DIY crafts from old things
Cabinet for face and body care products
Craft box
You can neatly organize an entire craft section in your suitcase. This suitcase can be decorated with outside and take it with you if necessary, for example, if you are invited by friends for needlework.
What can be made from suitcases
Coffee table
Mini bar
This suitcase minibar was made by designer Dane Holweger. It is ideal for various parties or simply for decorating your home and improving its functionality.
Suitcase for seamstress
Tray
Remove the lid of the suitcase, decorate the inside of the lid with fabric, using, for example, a stapler.
How to make a beautiful organizer from an old suitcase with your own hands
1. First you need to process the suitcase sandpaper to remove the paint.
2. Paint the suitcase any color using special paint - in in this case paint for plastic.
3. Using thick cardboard or plastic, divide the inside of the suitcase into several sections. Cut off required sizes and glue them to each other with superglue.
4. If desired, you can paint the plastic or cardboard using spray paint. However, it is best to do this in a well-ventilated area, wearing a respiratory mask and safety glasses.
Now you can safely fill the organizer with the things you need.
What to make from an old suitcase: a picnic suitcase
You will need:
Old suitcase
Sandpaper
Stationery knife
Painting tape
Cream wax (optional)
Brush
Paste glue
Glue for decoupage (PVA glue)
Fabric glue
Ribbed elastic
Stapler.
1. Remove all stickers from the suitcase (if any). Wipe it clean.
2. Remove the old lining using a utility knife. Old lining can not only smell bad, but can also tear quickly. A lot of dust also accumulates under it.
3. Cover masking tape all the parts of the suitcase that you don't want to paint. First of all, this concerns mechanisms.
4. Paint with 2-3 layers of paint.
5. To protect the paint, you can apply cream wax over it.
A few days ago we showed 35 ideas, . Would you like to get such a convenient thing, but don’t know where to start? In this collection of master classes you will see 5 easy ways to make a craft case with your own hands.
- the basis - in most cases - was old suitcases ( different sizes and original form);
- the authors transformed both the main compartment and the inside of the lid for storage;
- no special skills required;
- if the suitcase is a travel one, before starting the renovation, the old lining was completely removed from it so that the frame was exposed;
- all methods are extremely economical (with rare exceptions, you don’t have to buy anything - just what you found in the needlewoman’s house is enough).
Learn 5 tutorials on how to transform an old suitcase into a cute craft case and make yours even better!
__________________________
DIY handicraft suitcase, master class No. 1 “simple and tasteful”:
Craftswoman Vanessa offers an easy way to transform even the oldest and most boring suitcase. For this you will need inexpensive materials and a minimum of skills.
before:
Even if a suitcase is attractive in appearance, its lining is rarely as beautiful. Feel free to remove it and paint the inside of the suitcase some nice color - for example, green. Then cut out two blanks from cardboard (according to the shape of the bottom and the inside of the lid) and cover them with paper (or cotton fabric) in a flower pattern. Make holes for the elastic bands in the cardboard for the top part, thread the elastic bands through and tie with reverse side, then glue the cardboard to the inside of the lid and frame it with a beautiful braid.
Now the lid of the suitcase will help you always keep scissors, spools, needles and other necessary little things at hand. And in the main compartment you can store leftover fabrics, braid, needles, pins and buttons.
__________________________
do-it-yourself craft suitcase, master class No. 2 “a journey to the land of creativity”:
One Swiss needlewoman loves retro things self made and cannot imagine his life without travel. All these hobbies came together in a cute little craft case that she made with her own hands.
The basis for the “magic chest” was an old boring suitcase. Its sides were painted white, and the standard upholstery was replaced with floral fabric. And the thing, battered by life, turned into a nice vintage hand-made item.
The suitcase has also been transformed inside. The dark bottom was covered with brightly checkered fabric. Inner part the lids were decorated with multi-colored fabric pockets - not only beautiful, but also functional. You can store large items in them. Small baskets and containers are suitable for skeins of braid and pieces of fabric. And elastic bands and small pockets on the sides will help organize the smallest items (needles, pins, spools).
__________________________
do-it-yourself craft suitcase, master class No. 3 “sweet life”:
Just look at this suitcase! Bright prints on the outside, old pages on the inside. This kind of thing is usually expensive, but you can do it yourself.
The basis is the same old suitcase. We will decorate it not only inside, but also outside.
before:
To decorate the exterior, Amy chose fabric with delicious candy prints. If you don’t find exactly the same one, you can choose any other one, but be sure to be bright and with an interesting pattern.
The interior looks especially luxurious. All thanks unusual decor from... pages of an old dictionary, which are glued to the bottom and walls.
Amy made the lid of the suitcase not only beautiful, but also functional, by attaching small plastic jars for small items. They can be placed on superglue or attached using double-sided tape.
__________________________
master class No. 4 “like mom’s” - do-it-yourself suitcase for children’s handicrafts:
Does your daughter like to sew, knit or draw? Give your little fairy a magical craft chest like Megan did. All you need is a small suitcase (not necessarily an old one!), a sheet of colored cardboard and a little imagination.
Attach the cardboard to the inside of the suitcase lid and cut out the blank according to its shape. If you don’t have multi-colored cardboard, take regular one and cover it with fabric. Then make holes to secure holders for bobbins and needles (these can be made from regular elastic). Glue the cardboard to the inside of the lid and your cute craft bag is ready!
It can be difficult for children to maintain order, especially in small things. Help them in this difficult task by equipping their suitcase with a container with dividers. Now buttons, beads, pins and others necessary little things They will lie in one place and will no longer scatter throughout the suitcase.
Did you get inspired and want to do something else? Don't limit your creative impulses! Sew a pincushion, a bag for small items, a pencil case for pencils and felt-tip pens into the suitcase set - yourself or involve your daughter in this. Now your child will be able to boast of original handmade things.
Hi all!
What is the most important thing in children's gift wrapping? Of course, it should be bright and elegant, its very appearance causing a burning desire to hold it in your hands and quickly look inside. =) But it’s even better if it doesn’t look like a traditional box, even if it has an exotic shape, but is associated with objects from Everyday life. And if such gift wrapping, in addition to fulfilling its main function, is worthy of going straight to the toy shelves, then this is absolutely a delight!
Our new box in the form of a children's suitcase fully meets all these criteria. In our family, it has already passed the “tests” and now perfectly fulfills the role of luggage and storage for all sorts of needs in my son’s toy household. :)
Well, let’s get down to “tailoring suitcases”?)
To do this, as usual, we will need:
— stationery knife and scissors (to cut out a suitcase handle, it is better to use scissors and a knife for artistic cutting);
- ruler;
— creasing tool (for example, knitting needle, etc.);
- double sided tape.
You will also need templates for the suitcase, which you can download here:
The choice of paper depends on the method of decorating the suitcase. You can take colored or designer paper (in this case you should use templates 1 - for the wrong side). Or you can take thick photo paper and print on it a layout of a suitcase with your own design, created in a graphics editor (templates 2 are intended for this - for the front side).
I just used the second option - I printed the finished scan on Lomond designer paper with the texture of lizard skin.
Then I cut out the details of the suitcase,
She punched and bent.
Here the creasing scheme is very simple, so I did without double-sided printing and did not print the wrong side with dashed lines. Just then on inside The scanner drew fold lines along the ruler, connecting the corresponding corners. Looking at the template, it’s not difficult to find your way.
After this, you can begin assembling the suitcase.
First we glue the rear side flaps to the side walls.
Then we glue the inner parts of the side walls, filling the front flaps. At the same stage, you can fold and glue the handle.
Now the lid of the suitcase can be closed.
Just like that, the clasps are latched, the straps are tightened :)
To further enhance the ambience, you can attach a special sticker to the suitcase - everything is just like in life =). And since this is still a gift package, the sticker is appropriate, with the congratulatory inscription “Happy Birthday!”
By the way, to make this sticker I used special Lomond self-adhesive paper, on which I printed the prepared picture. But in principle, such a sticker is very easy to make using plain paper and double sided tape.
This is how a children's paper suitcase turned out. And it turned out to be quite roomy - 90x65x25 mm. You can put a lot of things in it... if not all at once =).
Next time, another exclusive packaging awaits you - a box in the shape of a candy! This will be a visual imitation of a candy like “Little Red Riding Hood”, etc., only several times larger in size.
Don't forget to subscribe for updates , so as not to miss our new products and receive announcements of master classes to your e-mail!
See you at KARTONKINO!
One of my favorite types of bags is the doctor's suitcase. This is a bag that has a metal loop frame inside it that closes the suitcase. You can buy such frames, but they are expensive and of poor quality. Since I make the bag myself, I’ll make the frame myself too. In this master class I will show you how to make a leather doctor's suitcase with your own hands.
Watch my other master classes.
Tools and materials.
I bought all my leather working tools quite a long time ago. The photo doesn't show everything I have, this is what I use most often. You can start working with leather with a small set of tools. This could be: a knife, a ruler, an awl, leather needles. But the more complex your projects, the more diverse the tools you'll need. And the more tools you have, the better quality your products are. You also need a sponge for applying paint. Mat for cutting leather. I use 4 cutting boards, which I screwed with self-tapping screws to the desktop.
But first of all, theory. In the photo I showed my favorite books.
I also have an engraver - drill - Dremel, which I have been using for about 14 years. Very helpful when working with hard skin. You can use it to drill holes or use an emery drum to sand away glue ends or trim bag handles.
For the doctor's suitcase you will also need a drill, a set of drills, a hacksaw and oil.
Materials.
- 10 square feet of vegetable tanned leather, 8 ounces thick. (you can read about leather thickness here)
- 3 square feet of vegetable tanned leather, 5 ounces thick.
- steel strip dimensions 1.5mm*12mm*1200mm
- a metal sheet dimensions 18cm*40cm
- 4 half rings
- 2 belt screws
- padlock
- thread
- leather paint and finishing agent (you can read how to make leather polish here)
- leather glue
We paint the skin.
I dye the leather for my projects before I start cutting it. I have found this to be much more convenient.
Cut out the suitcase parts.
The dimensions of the parts are:
- front and back panels 35cm * 40.5cm
- strap for lock 4cm*18cm
- bottom 18cm*40.5cm
- braid for steel frame 7.5cm*66cm, 2 pieces.
- two sidewalls 23*34cm
- two jumpers 18cm*38cm.
I cut all the parts from leather 8 ounces thick, except for the braiding of the frame and sides, they are made from leather 4-5 ounces thick.
Steel frame.
I make the frame for the bag from a steel strip 1.5mm*12mm*1200mm. First I draw on paper to decide on the dimensions. The finished frame should have the shape of a rectangle 40cm19cm in the open position. Allow enough clearance for the leather you will wrap it in later. The frame should open and close easily, the skin should not rub. At the ends of the frame halves, at a distance of 10-12mm from the edge, drill holes to match the size of the belt screws.
We wrap the frame in leather.
Moisten the lengthwise center strips for the steel frame with water and fold them in half. Let it dry a little and you can apply glue. Wrap the frame parts in leather as shown in the photo. Punch holes in the leather for the belt screws and connect the halves of the frame. There is no need to cut off the ends of the skin yet; we will do this later.
Making handles for a suitcase.
I didn't make a pattern for the handles I put on this suitcase, but you can find one in Al Stollman's book. For the suitcase, I made two handles, which consist of two parts - the handle itself and the strap with which it will be attached to the body of the bag. Don't forget to paint the inside of the handles that may be visible when assembled.
Break.
Preparing the front and back panels.
Treat the top and bottom ends of the front and back panels. Using an edge cutter, cut a groove for the seam at a distance of 6 mm from the edge. Punch holes for the thread. I glue the panels to the bottom of the suitcase. I sew them together, glue the leather legs and sew them on too.
Frame and steel bottom.
I glue and sew the frame to the front and back panels. To make sewing easier, you can remove the belt screws. Then I glue the metal sheet to the bottom of the suitcase. This sheet will protect the suitcase from sagging. I glue thin leather on top of the bottom to hide the metal sheet.
I sew the jumpers to the sides.
Sewing the sides on this suitcase is quite difficult. I mark 12mm at the bottom and a 75mm strip in the center, see photo. The sides will be sewn along two stripes in the center. I apply glue and apply the sides to the jumpers. I tap it with a hammer and sew it on.
We sew in the sides with jumpers.
Now comes the hardest part of the job. The dimensions of the sides have changed a little after sewing them to the jumpers and I trim them a little at the bottom. I start by stretching and gluing the side panel to the main part. You may need to try on several times to get it to fit correctly. You'll probably have to trim it down a bit. Then I glue, sew and finish the ends.
At the same stage, I trim and sew up the ends of the steel frame braid.
Handles and clasp.
I sew on one of the fastener straps, retreating about 75mm from the top of the suitcase. I didn't take many photos at this stage as I was in a rush to finish. But I hope that what we have should be enough to understand how to sew on the clasp and handles. Don't forget to glue everything and then sew it on.
Translation: LeatherThoughts
More leather thoughts:
Sometimes, in order to decorate your apartment, it is not necessary to buy a wardrobe or chest of drawers. With the help of your imagination, skillful hands and time can be done different elements interior, which will not only serve as decoration, but also be useful for the household. For example, if you make a suitcase, it will look beautiful and original, and at the same time, having some tools at hand, you can make compartments in it with your own hands, which can be used to sort things.
First of all, a homemade suitcase can help in allocating space, so you need to create it in the style of your apartment or the room where it will be located. In order to create a suitcase, you do not need to have any special skills; you can make it simply using a suitable master class.
Before starting work
If you don’t have enough imagination to design your suitcase, you can look at the photo existing options or come up with your own combination different styles. First, you need to think about the size of the future suitcase, its shape and approximate design; for convenience, all this can be depicted on paper and some sketches made. At the same time, you can even draw in detail all the compartments in the suitcase and decorations.
When creating a suitcase, you need to remember that it can serve as a small cabinet for clothes, for children's things or as a storage place for kitchen items. Therefore, having decided on its dimensions, we move on to the technique of execution, the choice of the material from which it will be made.
DIY reconstruction of an old suitcase
The most simple option creating a suitcase will be a reconstruction of an existing old suitcase. Typically, for this procedure you need to take an old suitcase in the shape of a rectangle and make a new wardrobe out of it for your things. An old suitcase doesn’t even need to be decorated with anything; it will look beautiful in any interior style.
You can, of course, remake a new suitcase, but it will still be useful on trips, and if the wrong things are placed in it, it may get dirty or the inside of it may deteriorate, and then the suitcase will not be suitable for use.
How to make a suitcase with your own hands from cardboard
If the size, design and purpose of the new item are chosen, you must choose the method by which this suitcase will be made. First easy way involves creating it from cardboard. As you might guess, upon completion of the process you will have a neat cardboard suitcase in your hands. In this case, the cardboard must be very dense, and the creator must choose the shape of the suitcase himself. The suitcase can be round, square, triangular or diamond-shaped. It all depends on the desires and imagination of the person.
In order to make a cardboard suitcase, you need a large piece of cardboard; for convenience, it is better to cut out all its parts on the box at once, then simply fold them and glue them together. You can make a suitcase with a handle or create the illusion of wheels.
But the most important step will be decorating the suitcase. To do this, you will need fabric that can be used to cover the craft from the inside and outside. In this case, any fabric will do, and you can also choose the color to your taste. The resulting suitcase can even be taken on the road as a cosmetic bag or a small accessory for hygiene products.
Using exactly the same technology you can make a suitcase out of a box. A shoebox or any other box is suitable for this, and the suitcase can have a removable lid or a glued one. The box can be painted, covered with colored cardboard or covered with fabric.
Plywood suitcase
The strongest and most durable suitcase is made from plywood. For this you will need wooden boards, from which you can cut out all the parts for the suitcase. As for decorations: sometimes they are not needed, since the type of plywood can be very original and fit the style of any room. Such a suitcase can be used as a toolbox; usually, men make such an item themselves for their convenience. Girls can decorate the inside of such a suitcase with fabric, and leave the top in its original form. Just such a suitcase can be made with shelves inside so that you can sort your things according to shelves.
If you need a suitcase as a gift, it can be made of paper. At the same time, you can place a small gift inside the suitcase, and decorate the paper itself beautifully using different ribbons, paints and bows. A suitcase can be made for a ring if a young man wants to make an original proposal to his girlfriend. Such a gift will not leave anyone indifferent.
The exact same suitcase can be made from sweets. In this case, the entire suitcase can be candy or simply decorated with candy flowers. A girl will like such a suitcase, because you can eat sweets and use the suitcase for your things, for example, jewelry.
Using video tutorials, you can learn how to make a suitcase from mastic if you need to decorate a cake. Also, with the help of a training video, you can learn how to make a real suitcase in the shabby chic style, especially suitable for a gift or to highlight the style of the bedroom. For a more serious interior, a suitcase in the steampunk style is suitable; it is easy to make, and appearance will resemble a pirate suitcase.
Video on the topic of the article
