Flower Kit Giveaway and A Tutorial for Decoupaged Lace

As I mentioned yesterday, my lace decoupage project is probably the most popular craft I've ever done here. Readers occasionally ask for a tutorial and honestly, I hate posting step-by-step photos because mine are always boring (and not pretty!).  But of course I do recognize that photo tutorials help in crafting and after having the opportunity to try this craft out with a real live audience, I now know what potential (small) pitfalls you might run into. So hopefully this will help with any questions readers might have.

In addition, I have complete flower kits available for two readers. You'll receive Mod Podge, brushes, a ceramic container, 3 lace options, scissors, glue, floral wire and tape, and crepe paper.  To enter, you just need to leave a comment telling me what your favorite flower is and why it's your favorite. For one kit, I'll pick a number using the random number generator, and for the second, I'll choose the comment that I like the best. This giveaway will run through Monday, May 20th, 11:59 p.m. CST.  I'll announce the winners on Tuesday, May 21st.

Also, you can find the tutorial for the crepe paper poppies here.

Now, on to decoupage:

 

Materials:

Square or cylindrical container (easiest shapes for beginners)
Mod Podge in Matte Finish
Lace strips cut slightly larger than your container
Small foam brush
Sharp fabric scissors 

Brush an even coat of Mod Podge over the ceramic container (I found mine at Jamali Garden) and roll the lace around it.  (You shouldn't have so much Mod Podge that it's drippy or gloppy.)  

Using your fingers, push out any air bubbles, especially on the indentations, such as the fabric within these embroidered circles.  You want the fabric to mold to the ceramic as much as possible. This will make the difference between your fabric and ceramic appearing to be one or looking like fabric that's obviously been decoupaged.  If you're using lace with an openwork design, blot up any excess Mod Podge with a damp paper towel. You don't want to see any pooling of liquid. 

Tip: Check your lace carefully. If you look closely, you can usually tell which side is the back side - the thread work is generally a little less precise looking. 

 

 

Allow for a slight overlap on the lace. Brush Mod Podge on the back side of that overlap and press down with your fingers.

 

 

Set it, seam side down, on a piece of plastic to dry for 15-20 minutes before further handling. (I dry it on plastic instead of paper so that I don't have to worry about the Mod Podge sticking to it.)

 

 

Once the base coat of Mod Podge has dried, go back and cut the excess lace, cutting it as close to the edge of the container as possible. 

Tip: I found that some crafters weren't able to cut the lace as close to the edge as I was. But no worries - If your borders aren't as clean as mine, just use Mod Podge and your fingers to wrap those edges and threads around the top and bottom edge of the ceramic. 

 

 

Apply 1 coat of Mod Podge (again, Matte finish - glossy doesn't look the same!). But instead of brushing it onto the surface of the fabric, apply the Mod Podge using a pouncing motion. This gives a little bit of texture to the Mod Podge, preventing it from drying in a smooth, rubbery fashion. Ultimately, this makes the lace feel more like textured pottery. Use that same foam brush to work out any excess Mod Podge that may have pooled within the indentations on the lace. 

Bottom line - you want a thin, consistent coat of Mod Podge on the surface of the fabric without any obvious pooling or excess. 

Use your fingers to smooth out and adhere any loose threads along the top and bottom edges.

 

 

After the Mod Podge has been applied, this is what your container should look like. It looks wet and saturated, but there's no obvious liquid anywhere. 

Set it aside to fully dry.  The resulting container will be water resistant, so it can be wiped down with a damp cloth or rinsed out, but it shouldn't be submerged in water for any length of time.

 

 

 Dried version

 

The lace I used for the title photo is a breeze to decoupage. I found it on Etsy at Stefanie Style.  More available, the last time I checked.

 

**DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

Comments

[JaneEllen]

Never thought would want to try decoupage again, haven't seemed to have much luck with it turning out nicely. But this project, thanks to your excellent tutorial just might be one I could do well with. so glad you shared this wonderful tutorial. Will be looking for container and lace to work with.
Appreciate the extra tips about using paint brush and how to apply ModPodge. Better check what kind of ModPodge I have. Happy weekend

[Barb]

Thanks so much for sharing this! I think the texture gives a delicate and uniquelook to sturdy pots. I have two plain pots AND some eyelet on hand, so I will be giving this a try in the next few days.
I just need to get MATTE Mod Podge. And thanks for stressed to get the matte type.

[Suzonne]

Susan, I just used original Mod Podge in Matte. Nothing else is required. But I wouldn't suggest a roller to apply. I use a small, foam paintbrush and a "pouncing" motion to apply the Mod Podge. I find that that allows the Mod Podge to seep through the fabric and adhere it to the pot, but doesn't give a smooth, rubbery like finish, which tends to be less attractive on this particular project. Overall, use only as much Mod Podge as you need to saturate the fabric - you don't want any gloppiness.

[Susan]

I love this project! As a newbie using Mod Podge, do I want to get 2 kinds? I see there is a glue, as well as a "finish". Did u use both?

I was also wondering if you use a roller, or is that not nessecary.
Thank you very much!!!

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Dorothy. I appreciate that!

[Dorothy]

My favorite flower is the tulip because we were able to get some bulbs from the famous garden in the Netherlands. I know this is too late for the giveaway.
I am so impressed with your tutorial and how easy it is to follow. I'd give it a star as one of the best on Pinterest.

[telma maria]

muito bonito fácil,e elegante ,obrogada por partlhar,saude

[Skinnycookie20023]

My favorite flower is sweet William because my daddy's name was William he has gone on to be with our Lord. I'am going to try to make a coffee cup with his name on it. thank you for the photos for free and may God Bless you and keep you in his care! He liked lace on my beautiful mom think I will try blue hie favorite color.

[Cecilia vargas]

Me encantó el proyecto y la técnica felicitaciones.
Quisiera saber si la cerámica a utilizar debe ó no tener glaze para pegar la tela ó encaje.
Gracias

[Karina]

Great tutorial! My favorite flower is a tulip, but I can't really state a reason. I've always just loved them!

[Suzonne]

Eleanor, I think your best bet might be a gel medium (which is often used for collage) in a Matte finish. It's pricier than Mod Podge, but a little goes a long way. You can usually find it in art supply stores. Another possibility is wallpaper paste thinned with water, but I've never tried it with fabric, so I'm not entirely sure. If it were me, I'd spring for the gel medium. If you try it, please let me know. I'm sure there are others wondering about a substitute as well!

[Eleanor]

Nothing wrong with that tutorial! Very clear and that is the important thing. I keep reading about Mod Podge & it seems a crafter's staple accessory - I have not noticed it in the UK, does anyone know if it is sold here? Perhaps under a different name?

[Helen]

I love making burlap flowers what a great idea for the vase

[Gail Simpson]

My favourite flower is the Daffodil, They are always so bright and cheerful and I love seeing them growing along the country lanes.
I think your lace vases are gorgeous and will have a go at making some.

[Megan]

Peonies are my all time favorite. They remind me of my childhood and watching the ants all over them. And now I'm teaching my kids to appreciate them too.

[Elaine]

I think the decoupage lace vases are one of my favorite crafts of yours. Thank you for the step-by-step tutorial. Your photos are never boring! My favorite flower is the daisy. I used to pick wild daisies for my mom when I was a child and bring them home to her and they always made her smile and she would put them in a vase. Daisies were my wedding flower and I love to grow them and purchase them at florists. They make me smile and think of my mom.

[Megan]

Peonies are my favorite flower - they are like little flower-pillows with all their layers of petals.

[Paige]

I love peonies. They are the most amazing colors and are so fragile and fleeting. I look forward to them blooming all year and appreciate every day they are in bloom! Thanks for the great giveaway!

[mrs.charlemagne]

Forget-me-nots. They're small and delicate and dreadfully old fashioned. They speak to me of a simpler time when small flowers were just as meaningful as a dozen roses.

[Adrienne M.]

The flowers are beautiful, a nice DIY centerpiece!

[Cecilia Hipskind]

I LOVE this!! It's so simple and yet absolutely gorgeous!!! I have some lace trim that I got on clearance at Hobby Lobby that are gonna end up on some containers!!!
My favorite flower is a rose-I think it started out as my favorite because my middle name is Rose, but they are just so beautiful and my absolute favorite ones are the lilac colored ones! And I also dry them...haven't figured out exactly what I want to do with them, but they are almost all from my hubby :)

[Alice Golden]

Beautiful project! My favorite flowers are lilacs followed closely by hydrangeas.

[rachel]

I love making handmade flowers!

[CJ]

I love paper flowers.

[Gay]

Wow! I love this - makes me want to get right to work. Once again, the photos are great, just as they were yesterday!!