DIY Suitcase Chair!

I have been wanting to do this project for some time now. I bought the suitcases off craigslist sometime last year for a few bucks.

Remember when looking for yours, if you do not already have it, not to spend a lot.

Attaching Legs

I then went to home depot for the legs, which I found with table legs. They also had the Waddell brackets there for them to screw in, but they were the very large ones and costed almost $3 a piece. I wanted to spend less then that. So on my way home I pass Lowes, so I stopped in and found these smaller ones for a $1 something. They also had the angle ones as well. If I would have known, I would have got the legs there too. A little cheaper and more selection.

Anyway. I bought two straight brackets and two angle brackets.

I then Attached the brackets to the bottom of the suitcase with a drill, measuring them out before doing so. I placed the straight brackets on the front and the angled ones on the back to gave support to not flip over.

I also added a piece of plywood to the inside for support. Bought at Home Depot for a little over $5 and they cut it there to size for me.

You can screw the brackets to the wood to add more support for the legs. My suit case is very thick, so I just placed it in the bottom for support when sitting.

 I also added 90 degree brackets to the back for more support. I just picked these up at walmart.

Now if you would like, you could spray paint the whole thing one color or just the suit case and the legs a different color. I did not want to do this. I only want to paint the legs. I wanted to wait until I knew what fabric I bought, so the legs would match.

If you do paint the suitcase and you want the original metal to show, you can use blue painters tape to cover it.

Making the Cushion

Now this was the first hard part.  This took some time in the cutting. My hand hurt afterward.

The Inside of my suitcase measured 20x17. I went to Hancock Fabrics for the materials needed. They were having a blow out sale, so I got the items 40-50% off.

First thing I picked out was the Bathing. It measured 4 inches thick and 22x36 inches. Being so Thick and on the firmer side, I did not get anything else for stuffing.

I then measured and started cutting. I started out with a knife, but found sissors to be a lot easier. This took some time, but I finished with that sore hand I was talking about. I cut the top layer and then followed by cutting each layer until finished.

I then added a layer of stuffing I already had to the top of the cushion to add a little more cushion. :) I then placed it into the suit case.

I looked at this and thought it to be to low. I then sit on it and I sank into the suitcase. The front edge of the suitcase dug into my leg, so I did a little thinking. I tryed putting stuffing in the bottom but did not like the effect. So I ended up using the leftover cutting of bathing and placed in bottom. I placed a large piece (4 inch thick) in the front and a smaller piece (2 inch thick) in the back so it would give it the look below.

I finished cutting the back cushion and placed into chair. (again with a hurt hand) As you can see from the Pictures above, there is a divider in the upper half of the suitcase. I did not take this out. It helped give it the angle look I was going for. When Sitting on it, it gives great lower back support.

Fabric Covering

Second hardest part. I am no seamstress. I have done some sewing but not cushions.

I throw the fabric over the Cushions and noticed that the stuffing I had put on the cushion did not give the square look I was going for. So I ended up taking it off.

I then laid the cushions on the fabric to cut. I bought the fabric at the same time so I would make sure I had enough to cover them. I ended up having a little left over. I got Outside Fabric for two reasons, it was on sale, and I have dogs and it would be easier to get hair off.

The Strips ended up helping out a lot. I cut right on the line. It helped with making sure it was straight when sewing too.

After Cutting the Fabric I pinned it around the cushion inside out for sewing.

I took the fabric off the cushion and sewed the straight line and the corners. I then cut the extra off and did a zigzag stitch around the edge. I then turned it the correct way out and placed over the cushion. I did not add a zipper. I might did this later. I had enough material that I just tucked it into itself. I then placed the finished cushion in the suitcase.

Now all I have left is to finish the legs. Now being that they screw right off, I might change them out. I think it needs a strighter looking leg to go with the striaght lines on the chair. I thought i was going to do a flower print and soft edges. I will use them for something else, I am sure of it! :)

I hope you enjoyed and this helps you. I will show the final product, when I finially do finish. It might be a few weeks!