How I fixed a vintage powder compact

So as I've hinted, one of the exciting goodies we found at Saturdays estate sale was a vintage compact - the first I've ever found at such a sale. To say it's seen some use would be a massive understatement but regardless of it's condition I couldn't leave without it. I always have it in my head that it's better being with my collection were it will be loved and looked after, cleaned up the best I can and welcomed then going into the trash. I want to rehome them all. I saw it's potential and then again it was only 75c.

As for it's details it's probably from the 1950s, it's a simple compact and still has a sturdy, strong hinge which is always a plus yet its missing a puff, sift and even it's top decoration which may have been a slab of say mother of pearl like my Marhill compacts. Additionally the mirror [after a clean] is in good condition so I originally considered using this one as a spare for parts. Then I had an insane brainwave [they occur sometimes and are painful] in which I thought why not create a brand new top for the compact and what better then sewing something pretty?!

I found a small rose cross stitch in the pattern book I also picked up from the estate sales and went about sewing it which only took a couple of hours. After cleaning up the compact, particularly on it's top were the two would be glued together - it was time to see if the idea would actually work! There's plenty of compacts out there with stitching designs on them [I already own one by Kigu] so now was time to make my own version.

Cutting out a piece of cardboard the same side as the indent on the top of the compact I used this as a mounting piece to glue the sewing too as I've done many a time sticking fabric to canvas. Carefully wrapping the material around and gluing it tight I then used the glue gun to attach it to the metal casing. It stuck perfectly! 

It's not perfect but it's far better then it once looked and I'm glad I managed to morph two of my loves together and give this compact a new least for life.

PS. There's a tiny little poll to the top right of this blog about what you'd love to be featured more of on LOTS. I do these polls from time to time just to make sure I'm keeping you all interested!