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    Home » Thrift Store Makeovers » Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt

    Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt

    Published by Gail | Published September 9, 2020 | Updated April 8, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Combining a thrift store basket and a leather belt is the perfect way to make a cute basket to organize your items. Baskets - perfect for containing clutter! This basket can be used with a handle, or you can tuck the handle away when not needed. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #thriftstoredecor #thrifted #basket #leather #belt #organization via @repurposedlife

    It's time for our Thrift Store Decor projects! Mine involves a thrift store basket and a leather belt. Both are so readily available at your local thrift store, or maybe even in your own home! I love shopping my home for home decor projects.

    I learned some things while putting this basket project together, I'll be sharing those as I tell you how this all came together. Be sure to check out all the other fabulous projects from the rest of the team before you jump off!

    Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt Project

    thrift store basket

    I’m not sure where or when I got the basket and belt. I haven’t been thrift shopping since we shut down originally in March. I was looking for a way to rein in my linens in the camper, where space is a premium.

    *this post contains affiliate links, read more here*

    thrift store basket leather belt spray paint project

    First, I thought about maybe staining the thrift store basket darker, but with the color of the leather belt, I decided a bright white spray paint would be best.

    Spray Painting Wicker Basket

    thrift store basket spray paint

    Although, hand painting the wicker basket would give better coverage, I opted for the easy road and went with spray paint. So, IF you want good coverage I would suggest painting by hand.

    Spray Paint Directions

    spray paint directions

    Perhaps you’ve been spray painting projects for years, but did you know that directions vary across different brands of spray paint? This Rust-Oleum spray paint states the following:

    • Dries to the touch in 20 minutes.
    • Dries enough to handle in 1 hour and fully dry in 24 hours.
    • Recoat within 1 hour or AFTER 48 hours.
    • Apply clear 2-3 coats, several minutes apart.

    Your brand of spray paint may vary. It’s always very important to read the directions, even if you’ve been spray painting projects for most of your life! Winking smile

    More Tips For Spray Painting Here.

    Begin With Project Upside Down

    spray paint thrift store basket

    As always, I start spray painting with my project upside down. I do it this way so that if anything gets scuffed, it’s the bottom. Following the directions, I set a timer on my phone for about 20 minutes, so I could do a light second, then a third coat.

    Refresh Thrift Store Leather Belt

    refresh-shine old leather belt

    Because I felt the leather belt was a little dull, I used a very small amount of petroleum jelly to refresh and shine up the thrift store belt. This might be a good time to give you another tip. While shopping for leather belts at the thrift store for any DIY project, I recommend that you get a belt that is stitched, or solid leather. This belt is neither. You may see it separating in a few pictures.

    Decide How You Want Your Leather Belt Arranged on Your Thrift Store Basket

    leather belt placement on thrift store basket

    I knew I wanted the buckle on the front side of my thrift store basket. I placed it where I wanted it to be.

    Trim Leather Belt With Scissors

    trim leather belt to size

    Cutting the belt with scissors was very easy.

    Secure Leather Belt to Basket With Glue Gun

    secure leather belt to thrift store basket with glue gun

    Carefully, I applied hot glue to the very bottom of the basket and attached the leather belt. To insure the belt was in the middle, I followed the pattern of the weave and counted each row to the left and right.

    continue adding hot glue

    Continue adding hot glue. Here’s another tip for you. When looking at a woven basket, there is generally a front and a back. Mine was dictated by the upper rim. The back has a seam in the rim where the two ends meet.

    Do You Want a Handle for Your Thrift Store Basket?

    leather belt inside thrift store basket

    I wanted to have a dual use basket, so after gluing the first side, I laid the belt down inside and up the other side of my wicker basket.

    Secure Second Side and Trim Off Excess

    secure belt on other side and trim off excess

    After laying the belt in the basket and on the other side, I knew just how much to trim off before I started securing this side with hot glue.

    holding hot glue and belt with scissors

    The handle of the scissors was very handy for holding the belt in place while the hot glue set up.

    Thrift Store Basket | Leather Belt Towel Organizer

    thrift store basket leather belt towel holder MyRepurposedLife

    Wow! Do you love the thrift store basket with leather belt as much as I do? I’m so glad I chose white paint.

    adding a leather belt to a thrift store basket MyRepurposedLife

    Which do you like better? The handle showing, or having it tucked away? Please let me know in a comment below.

    What have you used a leather belt for? More uses for leather belts.

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    1. Dianna Voss

      May 06, 2021 at 8:03 pm

      Great basket makeover. I like the belt inside, but like the option of being able to carry it. Also appreciated the spray paint tips I am one of those people who have been doing this for years so I would not have read the directions lol

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        May 07, 2021 at 9:41 pm

        Diana

        Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment! Spray painting can be tricky, but if you follow directions, your project will be great! It's amazing how different manufacturers can be as far as drying time.

        gail

      • Nancy

        September 26, 2021 at 4:49 pm

        I like the belt tucked under the towels. Very nice storage idea.

      • Gail Wilson

        October 01, 2021 at 8:28 pm

        Thank you Nancy!!

        gail

    2. Rebecca Payne

      September 23, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      Very cute and creative.

      Reply
    3. Karolyn

      September 10, 2020 at 11:18 pm

      I love this basket re-do and I like the look of the belt inside! But I also like the option of using it to carry, too!!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 12, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Thanks so much Karolyn for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.

        gail

    4. Sarah Ramberg

      September 10, 2020 at 5:25 am

      Looks great, Gail- I love it tucked in, but how fun to have options!

      Reply
    5. petticoatjunktion

      September 09, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      What a cute basket! I love belt recycles!

      Reply
    6. girlfromwva

      September 09, 2020 at 4:50 pm

      love the basket. think i like the belt tucked in.

      Reply
    7. Maryann Caballero

      September 09, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      I love the leather detail that you added to the basket - it turned out so cute!!!

      Reply
    8. Char

      September 09, 2020 at 11:41 am

      Thank You Gail, This is adorable and lots of basket in the thrift stores. Love all your projects!!

      Reply
    9. Jennie

      September 09, 2020 at 9:49 am

      Hi Gail, this is so cute. I think I like the belt tucked into the basket only because it’s delaminating from the front. As you said get a full leather, or one that’s sewn on the sides. So my almost 4 year old grandson (it seems like yesterday that he was born and the baby will by 1 right after Halloween. I’m getting old). He wants to make it into a pumpkin, and fill it with m&ms. I said well ok, I’ll have grandpa buy little bags of m&ms to give out to the trick or treaters. He gave me a you’re not listening to me look. No bags, he said, they for me. His mother’s been saying that they might dress up and have a little kids party and not go out trick or treating. I guess this was the way to get his candy fix

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 12, 2020 at 12:11 pm

        hahaha kids! So cute and honest!

        All the holidays are going to be a challenge this year for sure.

        It sounds like your grandson has YOUR diy gene!

        gail

    10. Terri

      September 09, 2020 at 8:51 am

      Thanks for the spray paint info. The basket is adorable. I like it best with the handle tucked inside. Great idea!

      Reply
    11. Christy Little

      September 09, 2020 at 7:06 am

      Gail,
      I love a great basket makeover and this one is just fabulous! I've never read the back of a spray can. Oops!!!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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