If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to spruce up your home, look no further than a vintage yarn basket. Not only is this versatile accessory perfect for storing yarn, but you can also use it to store any other small items. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to repurpose a vintage yarn basket with Martha Stewart Paint Line.
Martha Stewart Paint Line
I was so very very blessed to receive a big box containing the Martha Stewart Crafts Decorative Paint Line by Plaid. Head over to your local Michael’s Craft Store, where this line is being sold exclusively…you may find the shelves stocked by now!]
I knew the paints, stencils and tools would come in handy for what I love to do lately, which is repurpose thrift store finds. A few weeks ago, I found this 70s fabulous yarn basket for $6.
I don’t knit very much, but I loved the detail of the handles. The fabric…not so much, so I planned to change that out. I bought it anyways, not sure what I would do with it.
Then my mom came over one day, and while I was giving the girls a bath, she noticed their dirty clothes on the floor. I was already proud of them for putting them in the same spot on the floor every time (then I scoop them up and put them in the laundry room downstairs), but my mom has higher standards!
She said “You’re training them to throw clothes on the floor! Find them a basket or something to put them in!” Oh all right, I said reluctantly. Then I remembered my yarn basket, which I have now repurposed into a hamper for my girls, made pretty by Martha Stewart!
Repurpose a Vintage Yarn Basket-Materials
- Martha Stewart Satin Paint (colors below)
- Martha Stewart Spray Paint Kit
- Martha Stewart Stencil Brushes, Pouncers, Paint Roller and Stripe Brushes
- Martha Stewart Medium Stencil (Eyelet Lace Design)
- Masking Tape or Painters Tape
- White primer
- Plain cotton fabric
- Fusible webbing (I used Heat ‘n’ Bond Light)
First I removed the original fabric and started painting the frame. I could not wait to try the Martha Stewart Spray Paint Kit!!!
Buying a whole can of spray paint in one color can get quite expensive as well as take up a lot of space! For small jobs like this, the Martha Stewart Spray Paint Kit is perfect. You just need equal parts of satin paint in your color choice (I used Jonquil) and the Satin Spray Medium. You pour both into the bottle that comes in the kit, shake it to mix, and then attach the sprayer (don’t shake after you attach the spray).
It goes on so smoothly and easily. I applied two coats over some white primer, and I barely filled half the plastic bottle (that’s combined paint and medium) so I didn’t use that much paint. At $2.99 a bottle of paint, that’s really economical. In addition, it was convenient to not have to go to the store to buy spray paint…I already had my color on hand!
As that dried, I started to stencil. So. Much. Fun. I last stenciled in middle school! I’d forgotten how much I love it.
I used some vintage-inspired fabric I found at the thrift store for $1.50 for 2 yards! The print inspired my color palette: Mint, Pink Carnation, Jonquil, Carrot, and I also added Raspberry Ice (a fuschia color). There are 160 total colors to choose from in the line, not only in satin finish but also pearl, metallic, glitter (woo!) and high-gloss.
Because I plan to wash the bag periodically (since it will be holding dirty clothes), I want to make sure the paint will stay on. It’s amazing that I can use the same paint I just spray painted on wood onto fabric as well! All I have to do is mix the paint with fabric medium (2 parts paint, 1 part medium) and after heat setting after 24 hours, it’s safe to go in the wash!
By the way, Martha Stewart Paint line not only can be applied to wood and fabric, but also glass (dishwasher safe), terra cotta, metal and ceramic. In addition, they are suitable for indoor/outdoor use and are non-toxic so children can use them as well.
First I tried the stencil brushes on this butterfly.
Then I tried a roller on this doily-shaped design. The roller also comes with its own plastic bottle for mixing the paint with medium. If you don’t need medium, the roller attaches right onto the paint bottle.
The stencil brushes and roller were so easy to use, but my favorite stenciling tools were definitely these pouncer brushes. I found them to apply the paint very evenly and I also couldn’t wait to try these stripe brushes. I made my own plaid fabric!
Instead of stenciling right onto the bag fabric, I thought it would be cool to add some dimension by making appliques out of the stencils. So when the plaid paint dried, I cut it into shapes. And I also cut around the stenciled shapes.
I then traced the cut-outs onto some Heat ‘n’ Bond fusible webbing. The rectangle at the bottom of the pic would normally be used as a trim or border, but I stenciled a short length and made it into a pocket where my girls can put their hair accessories before bath time (which we keep downstairs…we are always losing them!).
I arranged them on the bag fabric and I fused the appliques then stitched them. For the pocket, I lined it with the print fabric and sewed that to the bag as well.
Again, will have a full tutorial on how to make the bag in another post. But here’s the finished product upstairs by the bathroom.
Most importantly, the girls love it. Glad to help them develop good habits (and Grandma will be happy too…also important).
In this blog, we showed you how you can turn a vintage yarn basket into a beautiful piece of art using the Martha Stewart paint line. By following the simple steps outlined, you can transform your old yarn basket into a work of art that you’ll be proud to own. We hope you enjoyed Martha Stewart paint line tutorial and let us know in the comments what you think!
