How to Make Sewing Kits Out of Old Suitcases

Lid

• 1

  Measure the inside of the lid of the suitcase. Cut a piece of cardboard according to the measurements, so it will fit neatly on the inside of the suitcase lid.

• 2

  Cover one side of the piece of cardboard with contact paper. If you don't have access to contact paper, glue a piece of wallpaper or wrapping paper to one side of the piece of cardboard using a thin, even layer of white craft glue.

• 3

  Arrange the items you wish to store on the lid on the contact paper-covered side of the piece of cardboard. Good items to store on the lid are scissors, needle cushions, spools of thread, measuring tape, packages of buttons and packages of needles.

• 4

  Make a light mark with a pencil on either side of each object. Remove the objects.

• 5

  Poke a small hole where each pencil mark is using the tip of a pair of scissors or the pencil tip -- one pair of holes for each object.

• 6

  Measure the distance between each pair of holes. For each pair, cut a piece of elastic cord twice the length of its measurement.

• 7

  Thread the ends of each elastic cord through its holes and tie the ends together on the back (uncovered) side of the piece of cardboard, so only a continuous piece of cord is visible on the front (covered side) of the cardboard. Repeat this for each pair of holes.

• 8

  Slip the objects under their corresponding elastic bands to secure them.

Side Pockets

• 9

  Measure the depth of the suitcase. Cut a square of fabric with a width and a height about 2 inches less than the depth of the suitcase. If the suitcase has an exceptionally thick lid, you may need to reduce the size of the square further.

• 10

  Position the square of fabric against an inner side wall of the suitcase so that the bottom of the square is even with the bottom of the suitcase and the top of the square is below the lip of the suitcase.

• 11

  Stitch the bottom and sides of the square of fabric to the inner side wall of the suitcase using a needle and thread. Leave the top of the square of fabric open.

• 12

  Cut a small hole in the top of the square of fabric to serve as a button hole. Mark the location of the hole using a pencil.

• 13

  Sew a button to the inner side wall of the suitcase where the pencil mark is. Place small items in the pocket and push the button through the button hole to secure the items. Small items that can be stored in pockets include loose buttons and thimbles. Repeat Repeat this method to create as many side pockets as you desire.