Hello, dear friends! I hope your week is off to a great start! Today, I’m back with a sewing basket makeover.
Here is how this basket began:
I had to buy this one because not only am a total sucker for a good basket, but it was marked down to $2.98!
Y’all know how much I love clearance at the thrift store.
Remove the Fabric
The first thing I did was remove the interior lining and the padded fabric on the top:
Everything was just glued in place, so I was able to remove it all pretty easily.
The top was rough looking though, so I knew I couldn’t just paint it if I wanted to reuse it, but I had another idea!
Paint
This basket was nice and clean already, so I just gave it a quick wipe down before applying Cotton White, inside and out, using my Belle Brush:
I ended up doing three coats for solid coverage.
Once it was dry, I sanded all over to distress. I love a distressed basket!
Then, I sealed with Clear Coat in Satin using the Blue Sponge:
Now what to do with the Lid?
Since I couldn’t really paint it and I didn’t want to cut a new piece, I went for decoupage paper!
How pretty are these Shabby Chic decoupage papers??
This set comes with THREE 19″X30″ papers that you see above.
When folded, these papers may appear dark, but when applied to a light surface, as you can see here, the designs really come to life!
These decoupage papers are more like a fabric, so they are easier to handle, and there are no worries about air bubbles since they can easily escape.
After scraping away any remaining glue, I painted the oval insert with Cotton also:
How to apply decoupage paper
I did both sides, but this is actually the back side. (The photos came out better on this side.)
I traced the oval onto the paper first and cut it out:
Then, I applied one coat of Matte Decoupage Gel with a 2″ Foam n Dandy foam brush:
I applied the paper and smoothed out any wrinkles. (The transfer tool works great for this step if you have that.)
The final step was to apply another coat of Decoupage Gel over the top:
I applied it as soon as I added the paper. Then I let everything dry before hot-gluing it into the opening of the lid.
The after
Let’s see it altogether!
As you can see, Cotton is a nice, bright white.
But let’s see that pretty new top!!
I love this paper so much!
I love it against the white, but if you like a more creamy white, Buttercream or Drop Cloth would be lovely too, or how about the softness of Pink Champagne?
And the distressing isn’t obnoxious…it’s just enough…
The Inside
Here’s the inside…
This was my model in the instructions earlier.
The original fabric lining on the bottom was wrapped around this thin cardboard piece that I pretty much destroyed, so I traced it onto a nice, new piece of cardboard I had:
Then, I decoupaged it the very same way.
It was hot glued to the bottom.
See 80+ decoupage papers in my Etsy shop, including 12 three packs to choose from!
I just love this piece now!
This basket would be such a cute storage piece for so many things, even your sewing notions!
What would you use it for?
One more done!
Here’s what I’ve completed so far from this group:
Louvered Door Cabinet Makeover
Painting the Smalls #25 (SIX mini makeovers!)
Shoe Shine Box Makeover
Metallic Vintage End Table Makeover
I’ll be back here on Thursday with this gem:
It had FOUR layers of paint on it!
Update: No need to come back! See the trouble this simple piece caused HERE now!
Hope to see you then!
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Mary Kaiser says
Oh my gosh, I LOVE THAT BASKET!! The bright white paint is my favorite, so clean and fresh! You did the perfect transfer with the florals on it, and I love that you did the bottom aso! That basket would be so cute holding anything inside. It looks like it is pretty big, I bet it woud hold a lot of chocolate stash! LOL! This one turned out so beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Mary!! Oh my goodness…the chocolate it could hold!! HA HA HA! I’m so glad you like this one! XOXO
Sandra says
Does slick stick or bonding boss really keep paint from scratching off on silverplate?..my favorite was the shoe box.
Christy says
YES!! Slick Stick for sure, and Bonding BOSS I just used on two metal trays last week. I have kept one to test it after it cures. It can take up to 21 days for it to fully cure, so I am testing it! Thanks, Sandra! XOXO
Tess says
I ABSOLUTELY love this!!! Great redesign of a tired piece. Love it, love it, love it!
Christy says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you like it, Tess, thank you! It is tired no more lol! XOXO
Janice Holt says
Wow what a beautiful basket. That paper is gorgeous. Too pretty to be a sewing basket anyway.
Christy says
Thank you, Janice! I just love those papers too…it was tough to pick which one to go with! XOXO
Janice Redden says
Christy, you never disappoint and this basket is beautiful! And I love your “not too obnoxious” distressing.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Janice! You know I appreciate that! XOXO
Janice Redden says
I have more Longaberger baskets to update……yay
Christy says
Ha ha yes!! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
It was dated and… orange. ugh. Now it’s beautiful!
Christy says
Ha ha yes! Thank you, my dear friend! XOXO
Nana Diana says
Sweet makeover. I love it!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Diana! XOXO
Cecilia says
Love it! Such a pretty paper. I’m a sucker for roses. I’m not sure what I’d use the basket for, but it would be displayed to show it off. Gorgeous!
😊Cecilia
Christy says
Thank you, Cecilia! I too am such a sucker for roses! And I agree…I would just display it and it might not even have anything in it lol! XOXO
Celia says
Hello Christie just received your latest makeover of the sewing basket which turned out very pretty. I too just used one of the “fabric type” decoupage sheets on the top of a stand and it looks beautiful. But…the sheets were folded up when I received them and I couldn’t remove the creases which now go across the front of the piece and detract from the design. Could I have ironed them first? Or wet them first? Maybe the manufacturer could roll them instead of folding. Thanks for all your good help!
Christy says
Hi Celia! Thank you! These designs are 19″X 30″, so to roll them would make them quite long to ship, but you should be able to smooth out the folds once you apply your top coat since it will have more moisture at that point. I just keep smoothing across the folds until they disappear. I don’t see why you couldn’t iron it on a low setting also if that works better for you. XOXO
Jackie C says
LOVE it!
Christy says
Thank you, Jackie!! XOXO
Amanda says
LOVE this basket with its new look! The lid is just lovely. Good work once again. 🙂
Christy says
Thanks so much, Amanda!! XOXO
Robyn Wright says
I LOVE THIS, and it gives me ideas!!
Christy says
Oh yay! I love when inspiration strikes! Thanks, Robyn! XOXO
Sandra W Magle says
Totally in love with this basket. I have maybe 10 picnic baskets I use to store project supplies, I just might have to tackle them this summer. Since I stack them, I may put felt or foam on the bottom to still be able to stack them! Great project!
Christy says
Thank you, Sandra! Ooh yes, pretty those picnic baskets right up! XOXO
Caye Cooper says
Oh gosh Christy, it is sooo pretty now! Good job!
I have an old sewing basket, but it’s not as pretty as your round one. Mine is square. But somehow I will make it lovely.
Thanks for all you share. XXOO
Christy says
Thank you, Caye! I’m sure the square version will be just as pretty! Enjoy! XOXO
Sandi says
Your basket looks beautiful!! I love the delicate look of the decoupage pattern. Hug,
Christy says
Thank you so much, Sandi! XOXO
Debra E Hubbs says
So pretty!! I love these old baskets redone in white.
Christy says
Thank you, Debra! Me too! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I knew there had to be a surprise inside! You always do just a little bit more, Christy. It’s so lovely now, I bet it doesn’t stay around long.
Christy says
Aww thank you, Marcie! XOXO
Shirley says
Simply adorable. I am a basket fanatic and this is one of the cutest. I have a number of scarves and I can see them in this basket. As usual, Christy, you saw just what this sweet basket needed.
Christy says
Thank you, Shirley! This would be great for storing scarves! XOXO
p says
That basket looked sooo tired. Now it’s All Happy !
Very bright and cheery. You always do the extra details –
and it really does matter 🙂
Christy says
Aww thank you, P! I appreciate that! It is tired no more! XOXO
Connie Douglas says
I want to buy some papers and transfers but not all of them show the size. How do I know what size they are?
Thanks!
Connie
Christy says
Hi Connie! The sizes of each should be in the description under “Item Details” in the listing. You many need to click “Learn more about this item.” for the full description to load. It’s super easy to message me in Etsy if you have any more questions about an item, and I see those messages right away. XOXO
Rose Lefebvre says
So lovely! I would use it to store memories.
Christy says
Yes!! I love that idea for it. Thank you, Rose! XOXO
Cyndi says
I love how this came out. So pretty! I think it would work as my sock “drawer.” 🙂 Good info about the decoupage paper. I want to try it.
Christy says
Thank you, Cyndi! Ooh yes! I love that idea for it! Decoupage paper is fun to create with. 🙂 XOXO
Bonnie says
As soon as I saw this I was like (this is gonna be good) and you know I love my baskets as you do😺After all these years I am still in awe of how you pull all these off. You are an inspiration to all who follow you.Hugs!
Christy says
Aww you are always the sweetest, Bonnie, thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the result on this one. Yes, baskets have our hearts for sure! XOXO
Michele M. says
She is so so pretty! And I love anything music themed! What a great deal, too. Nice, Christy!!!!
Christy says
Thank you, Michele! It was a fantastic deal woohoo! XOXO
Cheryl r Atkinson says
Hi Christy! Well I went to your store to order the papers but you must be sold out. 😭. The basket was a hit!!
Christy says
Hi Cheryl! I am sold out, and I tried to order more but Redesign is also sold out…bummer! I’m so sorry about that! I thought I had plenty on hand, but they got gobbled up. I still have a couple similar though. Thank you! XOXO