From Trash To Treasure - A $10 Flip! Let's paint a vintage sewing box!
- Melissa Geskie
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Oh, fellow treasure hunters, do I have a story for you! You know that thrill, that little flutter in your heart when you spot something truly special amidst the dusty shelves of a thrift store? Well, I had that moment this past week, and it led to one of my favorite transformations yet!
I stumbled upon a standing sewing box. Now, it was definitely in the "ugly duckling" phase – dirty, had a distinct alligator finish (hello, vintage crackle!), a bit of a wobble, and even a missing corner. But underneath all that, I saw potential. And the best part? It was under $10! Talk about a steal!
Products Used
The Extreme Makeover Begins!
Bringing this little beauty home, I knew it needed some serious TLC. First up, a good scrub down with White Lightning. This stuff is a miracle worker for getting rid of years of grime and mystery gunk. (Note my gloves, yes it was that dirty!) Once it was sparkling clean, it was time to tackle that alligator finish and missing corner.
For a piece with such character (read: cracks and missing bits), Bonding Boss is my absolute go-to. I used the grey Bonding Boss to prime the entire piece. Not only did it create the perfect foundation, but it also helped smooth out some of that crackling and ensured our paint would adhere flawlessly. No stains here!
And that missing corner? Not a problem for a creative mind! I grabbed a roll of WoodUbend trim – this stuff is incredible because it's wood that you can heat up and bend to fit any curve or corner. A little heat, a little glue, and poof, the missing corner was flawlessly disguised with a beautiful, decorative trim. Seriously, if you haven't tried WoodUbend, you're missing out!
A Pop of Color: Ecru & Apricot Dreams!
Now for the fun part: paint! I chose the wonderfully versatile Ecru from Dixie Belle Paint for the exterior. It's a soft, warm neutral that just exudes elegance. But you know me, I love a surprise! So, for the inside, I went with a delightful Apricot. That unexpected pop of color when you open the lid is just pure joy!
Two smooth coats of Ecru on the outside, and a happy splash of Apricot on the inside, and this box was already singing!
The Savi's Bouquet Touch!
But it needed that extra special something. Luckily, I had a few leftover pieces from the gorgeous Savi's Bouquet transfer (I always keep my transfer scraps!). I carefully arranged and applied these delicate floral pieces to the sides of the sewing box. It added that perfect touch of vintage charm and sophistication, tying the whole look together.
Finally, to protect all that hard work and give it a lovely, soft finish, I sealed the entire piece with Dixie Belle Clear Wax. It dulls the sheen just enough to give it that beautiful, aged feel, while providing durable protection. I then added gilding wax in GOLD to the hinges to brighten them up!
The Grand Reveal: A Standing Sewing Treasure!
From a dirty, cracked, under-$10 thrift store find, this standing sewing box has been completely reborn! It's now a chic, functional, and absolutely beautiful piece that looks like it is modern and fun!
Want to try a transformation yourself?
Dixie Belle Paint makes it easy to bring your vision to life! You can find detailed instructions and inspiration for everything I mentioned – from using White Lightning and Bonding Boss to applying Dixie Belle Paint, working with WoodUbend, and mastering transfers and wax – right on their website: www.dixiebellepaint.com
Want to watch a video where I use this transfer on a dresser? Click here!
Happy Painting! Melissa
The Top Drawer RVA
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