I have way more fabric scraps than I do places to store them so I am making a point to start using them up. For these cute serving plates I got clear glass plates from the dollar store, cut up some scraps, and used Mod Podge to finish them off! In this post and video I have made one plate with regular Mod Podge Matte and the other with Mod Podge Matte Ultra, so you can also compare both products and see which one you like best for this use.
YOU WILL NEED:
Clear glass plates from the dollar store
An Olfa rotary cutter with a pinking blade and mat, or pinking sheers although goodness knows those are getting hard to find these days!
A pile of fabric scraps
Ruler for your mat
Mod Podge Ultra OR Mod Podge Matte and a disposable foam brush
Anything that covers your work space because this project gets sticky!
Craft knife or craft scissors
Optional:
Rubbing alcohol and lint free cloth to clean the plates
Paper plates to hold the Mod Podge if you use the regular product
LET’S GET STARTED!
First gather up your scraps, sorting them by theme or color if you desire, or just going crazy and grabbing whatever comes to hand.
Using the Olfa blade and mat, with the pinking blade installed, cut your scraps into random sized pieces. I like them to be roughly similar in size so I did a plate with mostly tiny pieces and a plate with mostly larger pieces but again, you do you.
You will know you have enough fabric prepared when you have it piled up on the plate, with some pieces overlapping a little or hanging off the edge, and the plate is covered.
Clean your plate carefully with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth, or by washing it and allowing it to dry completely. I messed up and left a thumb print on my fruit plate – learn from my mistakes!
Prepare your work surface for easy clean up later!
Place your plate face down on your work surface.
IF USING MOD PODGE MATTE
Using your foam brush, brush the back of the plate with a good coat of product. You want full coverage and a medium thick coating – enough product that the plate looks completely white but not so much that it pools.
Place your fabric scraps, good side down, in your desired pattern. It’s ok if they overlap a little, and it’s good if they overhang the edge a bit.
Turn the plate right side up to look at it and make sure you have full coverage and you’re happy with the placement.
Set the damp plate aside to dry for 1 – 2 hours. It doesn’t have to be completely dry for the second coat, but mostly dry is important.
Place it face down again and coat the entire back with a coating of Mod Podge similar to the one you first put down. I then set mine aside to dry overnight in an excess of caution.
IF USING MOD PODGE ULTRA
Shake your product very well, then coat the whole back of the plate with a light coat of the spray.
Place your fabric scraps, good side down, in your desired pattern. It’s ok if they overlap a little, and it’s good if they overhang the edge a bit.
If you are taking your time and the plate dries, just shake your bottle and spray down a little more.
Turn the plate right side up to look at it and make sure you have full coverage and you’re happy with the placement.
Turn the plate right side up and look at it to make sure you have full coverage and you’re happy with the placement.
Place it face down again and coat the entire back with a good soak of Mod Podge Ultra. When that coat is completely dry you may want to add one more coat – I did!
For either method, when you are sure your plates are completely dry, trim the excess fabric from around the outer edge with either your craft knife or you craft scissors.
All done! Remember these plates are NOT dishwasher safe and should not be soaked, but can have the glass side washed with soap and water, and you can wipe down the fabric side with a damp cloth.
