Inside: A step-by-step tutorial on how to decoupage a vase with fabric to make a stunning piece for your home.

Have you ever ordered anything online and got the sizing all wrong? And I don’t just mean clothes!

Wendy wanted to buy me some fabric squares as a thank-you for regularly walking her dog. We’d recently been to a Kaffe Fassett exhibition, and she knew I loved his fabric designs.

But when they arrived, they were much smaller than she’d imagined (2.5″ square). At first, she didn’t want to give them to me as she thought they were pathetically small. But then Wendy thought if anyone could use such small fabric scraps, it was me.

Even though I loved the colours and patterns of the Kaffe Fassett material and was pleased to have them, at first, I wasn’t sure what to do with them. The pile of tiny fabric squares sat on my desk for a couple of weeks until I had my eureka moment and used them to decoupage an old vase.

I love my Kaffe Fassett decoupage vase; it’s a brilliant way to show off the beautiful fabric and was so easy to do. I’ve got a couple more boring vases that could do with an upcycle, and I’m now rummaging through my fabric scrap box.

A decoupage vase in Liberty print material would make a lovely spring craft.

How To Fabric Decoupage A Vase

This is a very affordable and straightforward craft. You can decoupage a ceramic, wood or glass vase with fabric. If you don’t have a vase already in mind to upcycle, they can be picked up very cheaply at charity shops (thrift stores).

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What You Need

• An old vase – Bigger vases in simple shapes work better. Fabric decoupage on a smaller vase with many curves and handles will be more challenging, and the pattern may get lost.
• Scraps of material – fabric decoupaged vases look better when the pattern is busy or small, Kaffe Fassett or Liberty. You can cut up an old printed blouse or shirt if you have none. Light cotton-like materials work best.
• Mod Podge – I used a matte Mod Podge.
• Velvet ribbon in a complimentary colour to use as a trim.
• Glue sponge and scissors

Decoupaging The Vase

Step 1: Wash the vase in hot, soapy water and make sure the surface is clean and dry before decoupaging.

Step 2: Gather your fabric scraps and lay them down to roughly arrange the colours and patterns. You also want to ensure you have enough material to cover the vase before you start.

Step 3: Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the vase. Trim any loose threads from the fabric scrap with scissors and stick them to the vase.

Step 4: Squeeze out any air bubbles with your fingers. Vases with curves are more complicated to decoupage, and working with small scraps is best. Add the fabric scraps individually; it doesn’t matter if they overlap.

However, if the vase is cylindrical, you can wrap the whole object in one piece of fabric.

Step 5: As you come towards the end, you may have to cut the fabric scraps into small pieces to cover any gaps.

Step 6: To neaten up the top lip of the vase, stick a velvet ribbon around the top. Use pegs to hold the ribbon in place until the glue has dried.

Step 7: To add a protective varnish to the vase, cover it in a layer of Mod Podge. The glue dries clear and acts as a varnish. You can use a waterproof Mod Podge for the final coating for an even more robust finish. A spray varnish would also work well.

The Upcycled Vase

The bright colours and floral pattern make this vase stand out. From a distance, it looks like it’s been painted. It goes well with my Designers Guild fabric decoupage mirror, as the colours are similar.

The fabric gives the vase a lovely texture, and it’s easier to get a smoother finish than paper napkin decoupage, which creases easily.

The vase can be used with real flowers like these tulips.

If you have any leftover fabric scraps, consider using them to make these colourful, decoupaged Christmas ornaments.

Or you can use it for handmade floral blooms, like my upcycled denim flowers and fabric poppies.

FAQs and Tips

Can I decoupage glass vases with fabric? Yes, ceramic, glass, plastic and wood vases can be decoupaged with cloth.

Do I need to prepare the vase for the decoupage? All you need to ensure is that it is clean, and then you can decoupage straight onto the surface. But if the vase is dark or has a pattern that might show through the fabric, paint it first.

Can I use any fabric? Lighter fabrics, such as quilting cotton, work best. Heavy, stiff fabrics like tweed and velvet may look clunky and be harder to glue around curves.

Do I need to prepare the fabric? If you use a large piece of fabric to cut up for the decoupage, coat it in Mod Podge first and leave it to dry. Then, cut your fabric pieces, and the Mod Podge will stop fraying.

Do I have to use Mod Podge? Mod Podge has been specially formulated for decoupage, but I have found many other brands of decoupage glue work just as well. Also, with fabric decoupage, PVA and white school glue are good choices.

If you liked this upcycled vase, check out my creations, such as this denim mason jar wall vase and leather boho vase. But the easiest way to upcycle a vase is with one of these wallpaper sleeves.

I’ve also used Kaffe Fassett fabric with my upcycled mantle clock.

You can also see many more ideas for upcycling fabrics for the home and adult decoupage ideas.