Decoupage a vintage suitcase with toile

This decoupage solution is ideal for that vintage suitcase you’ve been wanting to ‘dress up’ for a while.

You will need
• vintage suitcase
• toile paper
• enamel paint in a colour of your choice
• universal undercoat in white
• paintbrush and paint tray
• plastic sheet
• modge podge
• decoupage brush
• sandpaper
• craft knife

To make
1 If any of the metal fittings have rusted, sand them lightly to remove the rust. Wipe down with a damp cloth and leave to dry.

2 Paint the whole suitcase with white universal undercoat. Leave to dry overnight.

3 Paint the accent areas, such as wooden strips, in a colour of your choice. We used white enamel paint. Apply two to three coats and follow the manufacturer’s instructions about drying time between coats.

4 Decide how you’d like to use the toile paper and tear it into large pieces. TIP We created our own toile paper by making colour photocopies of toile fabric.

5 Now you can do the decoupage work. Paint a coat of modge podge over one part of the suitcase. Place the paper over it and paint with another coat of modge podge. Use a sponge roller to ensure a smooth finish and rub out any air bubbles with your fingertips.

6 Repeat to decoupage the whole suitcase and seal with a final coat of modge podge.

7 As soon as the modge podge has dried, sand the decoupaged areas with fine-grit sandpaper to ensure a smooth finish. Carefully remove any paper protruding over the edges with a craft knife.