Sew pretty

Use clever decoupage to turn a plain old sewing box into a vintage treasure – perfect for storing magazines or your craft stash.

INFORMATION Materials

* Sewing box (or appropriate

alternative)

* Victorian paper downloads from fringe art and Edward ian Scrapbook

on Etsy

* Sandpaper or electric sander

* PVA glue

* Dulux Made by Me Furniture paint

in Duck Egg Blue

* Clear satin varnish

* Paint brushes

* Craft knife Size: Varies Rating: Moderate

The living room is where clutter can easily accumulate, particularly if you’re a crafter who likes to sew, knit or crochet in front of the TV. Now you can keep that mess in check with a unique upcycled chest. Decoupage is back in fashion, and sewing boxes can be found in junk shops and car boot sales. Here we’ve used printable sheets from a couple of Etsy shops, but original vintage books could also be used. Try a combination of full sheets and cut-out elements to add variety and layering.

How to make the sewing box

1 Sand the legs, box and lid until most of the varnish has been removed. Put masking tape over the metal ends of the legs and apply two coats of paint to the legs, base and sides of the box, remembering to paint the inner edges too.

2 Print any chosen decoupage sheets and decide which pieces to keep whole or use as cut-outs. Arrange the pieces on the lid, and once you’re happy, take a quick photo to record the layout.

3 Start in a corner and apply PVA glue to the area of the first piece of paper. Don’t water down the PVA if you’re using printables it may cause the ink to run. Remember that you’ll be building up the layers, so start with a piece that will be under the others. Smooth the paper down as you work – if you need to reposition, slowly peel back the paper to avoid tears. Smooth out any large bubbles as you work (the papers will bubble and wrinkle during glue application but will settle once dry).

4 Fold the paper over the edges and clip the corners to give a neat finish. Cut away any excess paper that goes over the painted areas. Apply PVA over the edge and corners to seal in place. Seal small cut-out items with a coat of PVA once stuck down, to stop them lifting. You may need to wait until the PVA is dry after laying a few pieces, especially if they are overlapping others.

5 Once dry, cover the entire decoupage with a very thin coat of PVA. Again the paper might bubble but should dry back flat (if the bubbles are large, gently press them back onto the lid with your fingers). Wait a couple of hours for the PVA to dry before applying a second coat.

6 Once the PVA is totally dry apply a very thin coat of clear varnish (try a test patch at the back of the lid if you want). The decoupage may bubble but should dry flat. Apply another few coats of varnish, making sure each one is dry before applying the next. Varnish or wax any painted areas.