I thought I'd share my methods for upcycling thrifted Vera Bradley bags so that anyone else who's interested in doing the same can follow my process. A disclaimer: I paid $9.99 for this lot, and I'm only interested in making them useful and pretty again. As always any vintage textile of value (including bags) should be cleaned and repaired by an expert conservator to preserve it.
The first step in my project is to clean out the bags and then give them a bath. Unless the bags have never been used I tend to find debris, dirt and random bits in the pockets left behind by the original owner.
In this lot I found a tiny claw-type clip in a pocket of a purse, and a key chain with a fabric fish on it attached to the strap hardware on another. After they get a bath I'll reuse those, too.
To launder the bags, I secure all the loose straps or elements with safety pins and group them in colors for washing: all reds and pinks, all blues and greens, lights or darks, etc. I turn the poly-lined lunch bags and small bags inside out, too. I put no more than three or four in my washing machine on the delicate cycle with cold water, regular detergent and a half-cup of vinegar to help eliminate the thrift shop smell they often absorb. Once the machine fills with water, I put it on pause and let the bags soak for about an hour before running them through the machine cycle.
If you have badly frayed spots or straps laundering the bags like this may make the fabric damage worse. If you don't want that, then spray the bags with a deordorizing fabric spray, let them sit overnight and then hand wash or sponge/spot clean as needed.
Once the bags are finished washing, I hang them in a place where they can drip dry for a few days first by the handles for 24 hours. I then turn the bags over and pin them with large safety pins to my hangars. Nearly all Vera Bradley bags will dry in 48 hours if your space is well ventilated. Larger weekender and duffel bags will take a little longer.
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