These Fabric Covered Plates Are Great

Fabric covered plates, grouped together on a wall, make a magnificent display. They are also a perfect way of giving odd or slightly damaged plates a new lease of life while showing off your favorite scraps of fabric.

If you do not have any scraps around the house, buy remnants especially for the purpose to make a collection that co-ordinates. Cover flat or shallow plates only and pick round or oval shapes, you will find plates with corners or shaped edges difficult to cover.

If you are going to use a light colored fabric, choose either a white plate or one with a pale pattern. Closely woven dress or furnishing fabrics that are light to medium-weight, non-stretch and do not fray easily are ideal for plate covering.

If you have recently made curtains or have had some soft covers made use any remaining fabric to cover some plates, then organize your collection of remnants around these to create a look that will complete the room.

Materials you will need for fabric covered plates

Plate flat or shallow

Dress or furnishing fabric 15cm (6in) larger all round than plate

PVA glue

Paint brush 2.5cm(1in) wide

Jelly jar or bowl for glue

Scissors

Soft pencil

Mug, jelly jar or flower Pot for stand

Here is How to  Make Fabric Covered Plates step by step

1. Cutting the fabric

Working on a flat, washable surface, smooth the fabric out and position the plate face down on to the fabric, framing any motifs or section of pattern you wish to show off. Using the pencil lightly draw a line around the plate leaving a border the width of the plate from rim to center. Using scissors, cut along the drawn line.

2. Pasting the fabric

Add 1 part of water to 2 parts of PVA glue in a jar and stir until mixed. Using the brush, paint glue mix over the top of the plate. Lay fabric, wrong side down, centrally over the plate and smooth the fabric from the center outwards. Paint another layer of glue over the fabric and smooth out, pressing well into the contours of the plate.

3. Neaten the fabric allowance

Turn the plate over and cut the fabric allowance almost up to the plate edge, at 2.5cm (1in) intervals. Paint glue mix over the back of the plate and wrong side of each fabric allowance section. Press each alternate section to the back of the plate, working around until all the flaps are in place. Brush another layer of paste over the surface and smooth the fabric sections again.

4. Checking for air bubbles

Turn the plate over and check fabric is still smooth. Press out any air bubbles and dampen with another coat of glue mix if necessary.

5. Trimming the fabric

When the plate is finished, trim away any excess fabric to make a neat circle at the back. Balance the plate on the stand and leave to dry for at least twelve hours.

Reference: The Country Look—Decor & Crafts