DIY Miniature Suitcase | How to Make a Mini 1/12 Picnic Hamper

Many moons ago (2009) when I was just a teen, I was an avid reader of many craft blogs, including Design*Sponge. There are a few projects I saw on there that have stuck with me, and one of those was this picnic case:

https://www.instructables.com/Portable-Park/

I loved this project. I was obsessed. It's been waiting at the back of my mind, with the hope that one day I'd make it. I did actually buy a vintage leather suitcase, cleaned it and re-lined it, ready for the transformation. But then the case got a beetle infestation (don't ask), so now I'm finally getting around to making it...but in mini form. 14 years this has been in the making :D

I hope you enjoy this sort-of-meta, long-time-coming project!

Supplies

Kraft-Tex: I found this 'paper fabric' which behaves like thin card but is a fabric, and I thought it would be ideal for the case as it looks a bit like leather. You could instead use thin card and perhaps then paint that, or cover it with a fabric.
Suede cord: I used a flat 3mm suede cord for the straps, but a thin leather or faux leather vinyl could also do the job.
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Strong clear glue
Craft knife & Cutting mat
Printer & paper (or you could cut something out of a magazine).
Thin Card: I used cereal box card
Small piece of faux grass
Wire, Wire Pliers & Cutters: I used 2 gunmetal black eyepins, plus wire pliers and cutters.
Scrap of a thin fabric: I used a piece of green polycotton
Double-sided tape and/or a Glue stick
Cocktail stick & a scrap of paper
Bone folder (optional)
Props: tiny plate, cutlery, glass etc. (optional)

Step 1: Cut Out the Box Base & Lid

I took the measurements of a small suitcase and divided them by 12 to get the measurements of my tiny case. This makes the suitcase suitable for 1:12 scale doll houses.

You need 2 x rectangles measuring 51 x 44 mm.

Draw the outline on the back of the Kraft-tex material (or whatever you're using) using a pencil and ruler, and then use a craft knife to cut the pieces out.

Then draw more lines 9 mm inside these rectangles.

Step 2: Assemble the Boxes

Use your craft knife again to cut along the 2 lines on each short side, up to where the pencil lines intersect.

Also, score carefully along all of the other pencil lines. This will allow you to fold the sides of the box upwards, as shown.

When folding along the scored lines, you can use a bone folder (or in my case, a ruler) to make the folds nice and sharp.

Glue the boxes together using your clear glue, making sure the little flaps are hidden on the inside.

Step 3: Add the Hinge

Use small scissors to neaten up the top edges if there's any excess material sticking out. Make sure the box closes nicely.

Then cut out and glue a small rectangle of fabric to the inside of the box to make a hinge. Check that the box opens and closes nicely, and leave to dry.

Step 4: Grass

Give the piece of faux grass a haircut, and then glue it inside the box.

I had some bald spots, so I put some glue into those places and added some of the excess grass pieces on top to fill in the gaps.

Step 5: Buckles

Draw a light pencil line about 5 mm in from the edges of your suitcase, all of the way around, to act as a guide when you add the straps.

Then create little buckles in a kind-of figure-of-eight, using one piece of wire. I just did this by eye but you could draw out a guide first if you wanted. The suede cord (or whatever you're using for the straps) will need to go through the gaps, so make them just big enough for that.