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Friday, February 08, 2013

Delightful Decoupage!

Did you do decoupage “back in the day”??

I hadn't heard the words "Mod Podge" for decades!

((We always called it Modge Podge --because that's how it always came out of our mouths!))

I don’t think I have done decoupaging since the 3rd grade ----but I remember it being fun!

You should have seen me go gaga over Kathy’s refurbished sewing machine case when she walked in with it ---

And I loved it so much that I got photos of it in every angle possible….so indulge me please!

I asked Kathy how she went about this momentous feat ---and she gave me these hints for anyone wanting to try this themselves:

Remove all of the old covering that you can.  She tried to remove the paper on the inside of the case, but it wouldn’t come off so she just decoupaged over it.

Brush on the Mod Podge, press the paper into place, and then brush another layer of Mod Podge on top of it, allowing it to dry thoroughly.

All of the paper she used to decoupage with came from scrap booking resources --- being a fan of sewing notions, ANY paper with a sewing theme was fair game!

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Cute cute cute!!

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The handle and vinyl top are original to the case….she just tucked the paper and decoupage up and under that loose edge as close as she could get it  up to the stitching around that top piece.  ((Yes, this is very technical, but it is as best as I can describe it!))

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Inside of the lid—partially papered, still some work to be done on it.  What machine is inside?  A sweet 99k!

Here's another bonus: Covering that old nasty case up with new paper and Mod Podge will also remove any old lingering musty smells!

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Yes, even the base, which is usually the rattiest of all when it comes to vintage sewing machine cases, has been lovingly decoupaged with adorable papers ----what a sweet way to rescue an old smelly worn out base that has seen better days!

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Inside of the base, showing how spruced up it can be with the simple application of scrap booking paper and decoupage Mod-Podge.

Kathy did say she has a bit more treatment to do to this one……she wants to lightly sand the rough spots, and then coat the whole thing with a clear-coat so that it is more durable and washable.

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And here is something you do not see every day --

I wondered what the red sticker was underneath the machine when Kathy raised it to show us the inside of the base ----At some point in time this machine was repossessed for non-payment!

Remember, that Singer made much of his fortune by making machines available on payment plans so that “every day” folk could afford a machine at a small fee per week.  Someone must have skipped payment, and the machine was repossessed!  Interesting piece of history in the life of this machine ---the serial number dates the machine to 1956.

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Kathy, sewing Scrappy Trips panels on her lovely machine with it’s beautiful base and case!

Thanks for sharing, Kathy!  I love how you turned this old beat up case into a really beautiful one of a kind piece fit for your machine!

I'm home!  I arrived home last evening ---and I'll be home for the next 5 days before I head out again.  Anyone up for Quilt-Cam tonight?  Look for me at 9pm Eastern!  I was thinking that Sunday we can also fit it in at 2pm ----

39 comments:

quiltyVal said...

Gearing up for a major storm here in Massachusetts - I will definitely hunker down with my sewing machine and computer for Quilt Cam - see you tonight!

quiltyVal said...

Oh, and I just love the decoupage on this machine, so inspiring! Now I want to do some decoupage on something!

Lisa C in GA. said...

Awe, it's so pretty! How can I feel sad for the lady who had it repossessed, lol?

cityquilter grace said...

for sure, quilt cam wahoooo!

Angelina Kendra said...

You can even decoupage with...wait for it...FABRIC!!!! I have custom switchplates in my house. Just another way to surround yourself with those gorgeous prints --even scraps! http://quiltingafterdark.blogspot.com/2013/01/switch-plates.html

Joan J said...

Love the machine case. There's a great web site about all things decoupage and how to use the MANY MANY new kinds of Modge Podge: http://modpodgerocksblog.com/ . No affiliation, just thought you might want to take a peek :)

Missy Shay said...


what a great idea, you could do this with fabric too!

Unknown said...

So glad to have you home! The decoupaged case was a great idea and so pretty! Micki

hispatchwork said...

Yay Kathy! Great idea for the case! Didn't know i would be seeing you this morning on Bonnie's blog! I know you are having a great time! I thought of you when i saw that little ikea light and a featherweight...and there you were!

Anonymous said...

I am wondering why you can't just use varnish instead of these specialty products?

Kathy Bridges said...

I have an old machine that is waiting for this technique. I have already started ripping the old off, so glad to see this post!!!!

Nancy said...

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing with us....I have a couple of old cases that are going to look new again soon!

Marsha A. Black said...

Love this idea! And I can't wait for quilt-cam. I have a project I will be working on.

45th Parallel Quilter said...

GREAT idea!

45th Parallel Quilter said...

Thanks for the resource, Joan ... I am very intrigued by this as I have a number of old machines and their smelly cases ... will have to check it out!

45th Parallel Quilter said...

Happy there will be a Quilt Cam ... glad you're home safe and sound!

Judy said...

Wow! I am sooo going to do this with an old case that I have that smells. Great idea! I even have an old bottle of Modge Podge. LOL!

Bev @ kwiltpharm said...

Neat re-do for an old case! I remember doing Mod-podge...waaay back when! Ready and waiting for quilt cam with HST's to trim for Lazy Sunday! Taking my time as it is still a long time until the next step comes out! Gotta make it last!

Material Girl said...

Thanks for the pictures and story behind Kathy's machine, she did a nice job on the decoupage.
I did a glass plate decoupage... had a single FQ of fabric with a cardinal in the center and figured I'd probably never use it in a quilt so I decided to modge podge in onto a clear glass plate... it turned out pretty good. I have it sitting on my counter with fruit in it. I used to do modge podge in my younger years, but hadn't done any since then.. might try and do some more plates for gifts.
I look forward to Quilt-Cam tonight and will try to get on the computer to watch/listen.. I always learn something new through quilt-cam. Thank-you so much for doing it for us Bonnie.

Gwen

SewBella’s Quilt Cart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
SewBella’s Quilt Cart said...

I love to see all the creative people. Her case is great!
Decoupage is so fun, turns old to somthing fun and new.

Peggy said...

Tonight's QuiltCam sounds inviting. If I still have power - we kept it during Sandy -- it will be fun. Blizzard outside - Bonnie's QuitCam inside.

Karen said...

I like to use dress pattern tissue and mod pidge. Love it on plastic containers to store my sewing notions.

Karen said...

Podge ... Darn spell check! Lol

Peggy Thompson said...

I've been going into quilt cam withdrawl, so will welcome it tonight. Spending the day and tomorrow at a Crafting Day with a new quilt to work on but won't be too tired of piecing to join you. I used to Mod Podge everything...great idea for one of my old cases that has had some water damage. I think I will use some of my scraps for it. I have years and years of them and will never use them up in quilts.

qltmom9 said...

That is SO fun. I have an old case I was going to paint. I like this idea better. THANK YOU!

Lucy~

Angie said...

Thanks for all the wonderful pictures of the decoupage sewing machine case!

Mary Ellen said...

Wow, I love this idea. I think a lot of sewing machine cases are going to get a spruce up. I won't bother to do mine as the case has a broken latch and I use a wheeled sewing machine tote for my Featherweight instead. But, then again, maybe I will haunt eBay now for a decent case just so I can do this. And every time I am within sight of scrapbooking stuff I will look for sewing themed papers. I already have two "books" of wrapping paper with quilts on them. Hmm, the wheels are turning. BTW, Martha Stewart and Rosie O'Donnell are both big fans of Mod Podge.

Beth said...

That machine case is just adorable. That Mod Podge is great stuff. A whole new look.

Margaret said...

Hi Bonnie -- welcome home for a bit of a rest (which a change is as good as, they say). My daughter loved Modge Podge when she was a kid. Nowadays, I've used matte gel medium with similar results -- and it's okay over fabric, too.

As for Quilt Cam tonight? It's a date! :-)

From sunny but still wintry Central Alberta...

JudyP said...

Thanks Angelina! I was asking myself that question while I was reading this post. What fun!!!

qwiltnrun said...

Very cute idea, but doesn't it bring the value of an antique down when you "tinker" with it like that? Of course, if you never intend to sell it......but painting a machine with bright colors and changing the original look would certainly put off some collectors.

Gayle said...

I did the same thing to an old dented metal suitcase that I had, but I covered it with quilt pictures from old magazines I was discarding - turned out so cool!

crazy quilter said...

Wow that is the most womderful Idea... I have this great machine and the case is not bad but not wonderful either... HUMMM something to think about! I also have a case for one of my 301's that is exceptionally stained. This would make it look so much better! Thanks for the idea and the great pictures. Gotta love that 99K ... Diana in Texas ( ps. the mystery is finished) class at fabric fanatics on new years day) TOO CUTE!

AJ (The Quilting Pot Podcast) said...

Love that case! Thank Kathy for sharing the how to tips.

crazy quilter said...

you probably can use varnish but it smells really bad and you have to have terpentine to clean the brush.. Modpodge is environmentally friendly , after all it is just like elmers white glue watered down...

Unknown said...

Awesome !! Neat story.looking forward to quilt cam

Allison in Plano said...

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to decoupage mt crappy 99k case this way. AND I have a repossessed machine too! Sticker is in the same place as your student's machine. Fun finds!

scrapsgalore said...

Great idea for the old cases! When I saw the part about the payments and machines being repossessed, I had to laugh ~~would you believe that the very first thing we bought "on time" was the original 1959 Singer that I still have? We were on a small budget, but I wanted a machine so badly, he found a way to get me one, made those payments for months, but meantime, I learned to sew! Now we think about it, our whole credit life was started by the machine! :D Carol

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