Ever had a bag you love so much you just don’t want to part with it? If you’re trying to save your hard-earned money for something else, or just want to revive an old trusty bag, it doesn’t have to be too hard. All you need is a little time and imagination.
Here are some DIY tips to help you modify your old bag to create a brand new one! Before you begin, be sure to clean down the bag with a cloth. Use a lightly damp one for leather and leave the bag to dry for a day.
Make a bag to dye for
Dye an old bag to mask marks or just to change it up a bit. Take care to protect the insides with paint-proof material first. Wear a pair of gloves and get going with a brush and good quality dye in the color of your choice. No one will recognize it as your old handbag when you are done.
Get crafty
If your old bag is stained or looking grubby, a good way to lengthen its shelf life is to do a cover-up job! Pick up some nice fabric from a local dollar store or order some fun prints online and cut it to the shape of your bag. Stitch it up right to the seams leaving the leather bits or borders intact.
An old scarf can be cut up to create rosettes which you attach with some new ribbons to give your bag a floral makeover. Sew on buttons and checked fabric for a vintage look.
Add some sparkle
You can add some zing to an old plain bag or sparkle up a print with a few carefully placed sequins. Studs can be added for a more rugged look. Use a glue gun on little stones or sew on sequins in gold or silver all over your bag for something more dressy.
Unleash your inner artist
If your bag is in otherwise decent shape, a few cleverly added patterns will work wonders. Use a stencil, go freehand or keep it simple with some polka dots. Just get some good fabric or acrylic paints that works on the material your bag is made of.
You could also use masking tape and paint to create interesting geometric designs. Cover up the areas you want in one color, paint in the gaps and repeat until each section is colored in.
Embroider on an interesting message
It doesn’t take much to do this - just think of a clever message that is very you. Then trace out the message on the bag with some chalk. Use a simple tacking stitch in a bright wool or embroidery thread and follow the pattern. Voila! Your personalized custom bag is now ready.
