Painting a Tattered Backpack

Painting a Tattered Backpack - Was I Able to Do It?


Painting a tattered backpack.


My sister showed me a backpack handbag that she absolutely loved, in spite of the fact that it was falling apart.


She said that she used it every day, and was not quite ready to discard it.


She then asked if I could paint it.


I took a look at the bag, and all of its worn parts, and responded with an immediate "yes."


backpackunpaintedfrontsbi.jpgThe "before"photo of the front of the backpack.
backpackpaintedbacksbi.jpgThe "after" photo of the front of the backpack.

Painting a Tattered Backpack - This is What I Love 


I have painted tattered shoes, jackets, handbags, and a wallet.


Why? The transformation is everything.


Seeing the "before" and "after" photos is the reward.


I was once watching a television show where a lady restored homes that were dilapidated.


She said that she could figuratively hear the homes saying, "Make me beautiful again."


I feel the same way with these clothing items.


I imagine that they are longing to be "beautiful" again.


backpackunpainedbacksbi.jpgThe "before" photo of the back of the backpack.
backpackpaintedfrontsbi.jpgThe "after" photo of the back of the backpack.

Painting a Tattered Backpack - The Colors


The backpack was originally beige.


I asked what color she wanted me to paint it.


She asked for black.


"Nope. Can't do it.", was my reply.


I love to paint with color. I was not excited about black.


I wanted to hear "red", or "pink", or even "orange."


Her second choice was yellow, and I recommended blue.


Right before I was ready to start painting, I checked in with her to confirm the color.


She wanted brown, and so brown it was.


backpacksbi.jpgThe back view of the painted backpack.

Painting a Tattered Handbag - What Type of Paint Should I Use?


Up to this point, every handbag that I have painted has been leather, and hence, I used leather paint.


This bag, however, was faux leather.


I was not 100% sure of what type of paint I should use.


I was leaning toward regular fabric paint.


To be sure, I went on YouTube to watch a few videos of women painting faux leather bags.


They all used leather paint.


I learned something new.


I was elated to know that leather paint could be used on faux leather.


I indeed painted the backpack with leather paint.


Once the paint dried, I followed it with an acrylic finisher.



backpackbackpacksbi.jpgThe side view of the painted backpack.

Painting a Tattered Backpack - The Outcome


The backpack looked wonderful when it was completed.


I already had "before" photos, and I was ready to take the "after."


How much fun I had had!


My sister was pleased as well.


I shared the photos on Instagram, and that was that.


I very much look forward to the next rehab job.



Painting a Tattered Backpack - Instagram and Etsy