As a middle-aged gal, I feel that certain pastimes are slowly fading out. Crochet, knitting, embroidery, and sewing are a few of them. Do you agree? When I am offered this vintage sewing box, I wanted to give it a facelift while still giving a nod to “vintage” in general. Isn’t it a fun shape?
Not only does it have slat sides, but is also made of solid wood, and… has this quirky applique. ahem.
In addition, on the inside there is ample room for all sorts of goodies.
Mind you, you can totally use this box/tote for anything your heart desires like I did with this one transformed HERE.
For me, I want to keep to the sewing vibe, as a gal with a needle in hand for many decades, to keep to this fading art.
LET’S HAVE SOME FUN
First, I use my putty knife to gently remove the sunflowers. I could leave them and paint them differently, but I don’t care for their placement and the painted-on leaves and stems. Then, I sand the lid aiming to get it to the raw state the rest of the box is in.
Because this box is made of solid raw wood (except the lid), I use my reactive stain to adjust the color quickly and give it a bit of age.
Take a look at my sweet audience – Ivan and Loula. These two cause me so my joy as well as stress. They work in cahoots to keep all of us on our toes every.single.day. I’ve often said they’re worse than toddlers! haha. Anyhoo, as I’m staining, Ivan is meticulously watching my brush go back and forth, back and forth.
Meanwhile, Loula is displaying her displeasure with me not giving every second of my being paying attention to her. If you could see in person, you would see that the stain is not soaking evenly on the lid because of the glue of the appliques embedded. With that, I eventually spray paint the lid black, instead.
Finally, keeping true to myself and my love of typography, I create a transfer using my method, and hand-paint it in.
This is a great way for me to just have some fun and mix in my creative juices.
SEW IT UP
Here is my vintage sewing box with a new “old” look keeping with function and adding style.
This portable gem makes it fun to leave it out as part of your decor and maybe bring a smile or two.
What is more, inside you have your notions and tools tucked away ready and waiting for when you get the urge to have stitch therapy. You crafters know what I’m talking about! {{wink, wink}} In this box, I have a ironstone butter dish with magnets on the bottom to hold my pins, my embroidery floss on mini clothespins with color number written on them, while also in a vintage salad bowl. Don’t you just love repurposing?
Likewise, I’d love to hear how you repurpose for your own crafting needs. In the past, I’ve created these:
- wine rack to craft storage
- industrial filing cabinet to fabric storage
- antique radio to sewing cabinet
- repurposed sewing table
- farmhouse sewing basket
SHARE
After leaving me some comment love below, I also invite you to pin and share my vintage sewing box revival. Let’s inspire others to create their own home story too.
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While you’re at it, more makeovers like this vintage sewing box:
You are such an inspiring artist!! You make it all look so easy that it makes me want to try!! Thank you do mych for always going the extra lengths it takes to teach us your techniques! 😍
That’s what I’m all about…hoping to encourage someone in any form. Thank you for taking the time to join me on my DIY adventures, Rebecca.
Oh, that turned out soo cute! I went to the shop to see if it was available for purchase and already gone! Wowza! Can’t beat that for turnaround time 🙂 Love the typography you created on this wonderful sewing box. And all the other neat tricks you shared inside…magnet in a bowl for pins, floss on mini clothespins…You sure have great ideas. And I’m with you, as far as sewing and other creative endeavors that use my hands. It soothes the mind so much. Will keep doing my part to keep the crafts alive. Thank you for inspiring me once again, Larissa! ❤️
Mary, you’re so fun! Thank you for making me smile and for being willing to support me in my creative endeavors. It’s always my pleasure to share with hopes to inspire. You’ve made my day. Hugs!
Sorry to hear you’ve been down with a bug as well. I’ve been flat out for a few days and slowly on the mend. Oh, I like how the reactive stain aged the wood on the sewing box, Larissa. Amen to the sentiment and such cute design typography. Love this project! Wishing you good health this fall/winter season. Hugs from Canada
Ugh…sorry to hear that for sure as it stink to be so ill you have to stop completely. I’m feeling bits better here and there. Thanks for loving in my work, Marie.
My goodness, isn’t that box the cutest thing! You did a fantastic job on that lid! I loe it!
Becky, you just made my day. Thank you so much!
Your artwork is always beautiful Larissa. You know if Ivan is 6 months old he is probably ready for his “snip snip” procedure; you want to do that before his hormones take over and he starts spraying. I love kitties also.
Thank you. We know and already did that, but we don’t believe in spaying or neutering all animals.