How to Upcycle a Child's Suitcase

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

How to Upcycle a Child's Suitcase

I painted one half of my child sized suitcase with blackboard chalk paint. Then I decorated this side using liquid
chalkboard paints. The doll drawings may be found on this page of my blog if you would like to draw them on
your version of the craft. Also there is an older post describing the "chalk transfer method" that I used to
design the top half of this chalkboard painted luggage here. The text above on the suitcase reads,
"Home is where your friends are!"

I decided to combine two distinct craft projects into one in order to save money on supplies. Namely the suitcase, because these are getting a bit expensive to acquire from resale outlets. The lower half of my suitcase has been decoupaged with vintage sailor fabric and the upper half with chalkboard paint.

This little upcycled suitcase is home to many doll house dolls.

Supply List:

chalkboard spray paint (black)
white school chalk
liquid chalk pens
Mod Podge
large soft brush
scissors
butcher paper
vintage fabric (your choice)
ruler

Step-by-Step Directions: Part 1. The Decoupaged Suitcase Surface

Before you begin, clean the outside of your suitcase with a moist bleach towelette and set it in the bright sunlight. This will kill mold and bacteria.
Gently sand down the flat surfaces of the luggage so that glue and paint will bond to it with ease.
I decoupaged the bottom half of my little suitcase first, for obvious reasons. I wanted the more durable alteration to be on the half that would receive the most neglect and would not be put on display as often.
You will need a paper pattern to lay on top of your vintage fabric. Allow a slight 1/8th seam allowance after tracing around the pattern on the wrong side of your fabric. This extra fabric will get tucked between the piping and the bottom side of the suitcase after you apply the Mod Podge.
To make the pattern from the actual suitcase top, lay butcher paper across the flat side of the luggage and push with your finger tips around the inside circumference of the suitcase piping. This will leave a obvious crease in the paper that you can cut on top of directly with a pair of scissors. (see photo below)
Brush the clean, sanded surface with a generous amount of Mod Podge. Use a large paint brush to do so with speed.
Now, carefully line up the fabric and press it evenly on top of the glue, working the creases out with a long ruler and your finger tips.
Brush on a second thick layer of Mod Podge to the top of my fabric in order to seal the surface thoroughly. Let the luggage stand and dry thoroughly before moving on to the second half of this craft project.

More Altered Suitcases for Children:

Left, make a pattern from the actual suitcase top by laying butcher paper across the top and pushing with your finger
tips around the inside circumference of the suitcase piping. Right, You can see that I have added a thick layer of Mod Podge.

This suitcase has two sides, on the left is the chalkboard painted side and on the right is the fabric decoupage side.

Above are photos of the drawing done with a liquid chalkboard marker on my child sized suitcase.

Step-by-Step Directions: Part 2. The Chalkboard Painted Surface

Like the decoupaged surface, the spray painted surface needs light sanding in order for the paint to adhere properly.
Cover all of the surfaces that are not to be painted with masking tape and newsprint.
Lay the suitcase face up and closed in the center of a large cardboard box. This will protect your environment from floating paint.
Spray the chalkboard paint in even, thin coats. Repeat this after allowing each application to dry, approximately 25 minutes between coats in the sunshine, outdoors. I painted my suitcase top with at least four layers of paint.
Let the project dry thoroughly over night.
Now the chalkboard surface is ready for drawing with liquid chalk pens! Liquid chalk may be wiped down with a moist cloth.
To save work that you like, you can apply a couple of coats of spray fixative.

Homes For Dolls Inside Vintage Luggage:

The dolls that live & travel inside the suitcase thus far...