Learn how to use mod podge on plastic with pretty fabric to makeover a cheap chest of drawers into a beautiful piece of furniture. It's a perfect application for using up some of your most treasured fabric leftovers and put them to good use.
It's been a long time since I've decoupaged but I was very excited to use some of my pretty fabric stash for this project.
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How to Makeover Plastic Drawers with
Mod Podge on Fabric
The plastic bins (above) were left to me by my daughter after she finished college. They are great for storing so many of my craft supplies and other items in my office.
Apparently, this was originally a cart with wheels, as you can see from the label. Now it's just a set of drawers but that's okay because I don't think it would roll around too well on my carpeted floor.
Anyway, I knew that they would look a whole lot better with some pretty fabric and giving these plastic drawers a makeover would make my work environment that much better.
The first thing I did was lay out the fabric in a pattern I liked for the drawers. This fabric comes from a beautiful charm pack, designed by Heather Bailey, called "Fresh Cut." Charm packs are so fun because they were created to work together. I've bought a few and have been finding fun ways to craft with them. You can find more ways to craft with charm packs here.
Start with the handles by placing the fabric on the inside and tracing around the area with a pencil.
Cut out the pattern for the handle.
Spread a thin layer of mod podge
ModPodge is a glue that makes a perfect decoupage medium and comes in a variety of formulas, including water-resistant mod podge, fabric mod podge, and matte and glossy finishes to name a few.
I'm using the Matte formula because I already have a bottle of it at home. However, you can use a gloss based one or one that is made specifically for fabric or plastics.
Next place the left side fabric piece over the area you want and trace the edges with a pencil or tailor's chalk, and cut out.
This time I spread the mod podge on the fabric, then press it into place on the drawer. Continue with the same technique on the right side.
The middle section is similar, but you need to cut around the handle.
Using a pencil rub the edges of the opening and cut around it.
Add mod podge and set it into place smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles.
Follow the same process for the other drawers.
Trim threads add let them dry for several hours. I did not seal this project with additional mod podge. If I thought it was going to be heavily used I might use a clear acrylic sealer.
I do love the way it turned out, and it's great to have something so pretty to look at while I work. I bet my daughter will want it back now.
Fabric Covered Plastic Drawers with Mod Podge
Equipment
- Sponge brush
- Scissors
- pencil
Materials
- Scrap fabric or quilters squares
- Mod Podge
Instructions
- Lay the fabric in a pattern you like for the drawers
- Work on cutting out sections for the handles next by placing the fabric on the inside and tracing around the area with a pencil.
- Cut out the pattern for the handle.
- Spread some mod podge directly on the plastic and place the fabric into the handle nook.
- Next place the left side fabric piece over the area you want and trace the edges with a pencil or tailor's chalk, and cut out.
- This time spread the mod podge on the back of the fabric, then pressed it into place on the drawer. Continue with the same technique on the right side.
- For the middle section you need to cut around the handle so place the fabric on top of the area covering the handle and use a pencil to rub the handle area so that you can cut it out.
- Place more mod podge on the middle cut out and smooth into place.
- Follow the same process for all three drawers.
- Trim off any excess threads and allow the chest to dry for several hours.
Becky Tillett
Great idea and so easy to make it beautiful. I too have some of these and now I will make them beautiful. You could also put some thicker and make a trivet to serve a hot dish.
Patti Estep
Hi Becky,
I agree a trivet would be a great idea with this fabric. I actually have that idea on my list of things to do.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Helen graziano
Love this idea. Have some of those in my craft room, we will be moving and I'm taking them for my new craft area. Going to do this and it will be really stylish! Thanks for the wonderful idea.
Patti Estep
Hi Helen,
This is what I love about the challenges. I would have never done this without the challenge and now I love my pretty container. I'm so glad you liked the project and know that your new craft room will look stunning.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Susan
I have two of those drawers and was seriously thinking of getting rid of them. I've never been a fan of the plastic look they have. I have scraps of fabric and now I have some inspiration with what I'm going to do with these drawers this weekend. Thank you! These will no longer need to be banished to the darkest corners of my closets!
Patti Estep
Hi Susan,
I know, right? I can't believe it took me this long to try it. Thanks for the inspiration. I now love these drawers.
Have a great week!
Patti
BonBon
This is so pretty Patti....I have these same storage units so I can't wait to add this cuteness to them. Great job!
Patti Estep
Hi Bon Bon,
This simple challenge has us all rethinking things all over the house.
Happy Spring and have a great week.
Patti
Courtney
What a wonderful idea for sprucing up an ordinary storage tower. I have one of these in the garage, and now I'll be digging it out! I love the fabrics you used; they are so bright and fun!
Patti Estep
Hi Courtney,
I'm so glad you like the project. It's one of those, "I'm so glad I was challenge to do this," things because I love it too and would probably never get around to doing it otherwise. Now I have a use for all my charm pack addictions.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Karen
This is so creative, Patti. It just so happens... 🙂 that I have a few of these in my craft room, all white and blah! I've never thought of dressing them up like this, but I'm so inspired by your project! I'm redecorating my craft room in a beach theme and I'm going to take this idea and modify it with some beachy fabric. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy spring to you, friend!
Patti Estep
Hi Karen,
A beach themed craft room sounds fantastic.
You'll have to show me some pics when you are done.
Have a great week friend!
Patti
laura {not a trophy wife}
hi Patti
This turned out great and I love to see the Mod Podge adhere to the plastic drawer fronts. I have the exact same drawers from my daughter's college dorm (in our basement). She just graduated last spring! Funny how that works! Have a great day ! laura
Patti Estep
Hi Laura,
I'm not surprised that anyone with college kids has one of these. They are great for extra storage and even work great as a nightstand. In fact, I'm thinking of purchasing another one with the wheels for photo shots.
Great working with you Laura,
Patti
Carole
These color swatches are awesome and you put them together is such a uniformed style, I like that and yes your daughter will probably want it back so when she comes to visit just turn it around, LOL. As always fun working with you Patti and happy spring.
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
Turn it around. Lol I love it!
What a nice way to start the first day of spring with such a wonderful group of people!!
Happy Spring!
Patti
Goldie
Absolutely adorable! Such a great idea. So talented!. Something to keep me busy inside until I can start planting outside! So glad it's the first day of spring! 🙂
Patti Estep
Hi Goldie,
Thank you and I'm with you. Can't wait to get out in the dirt. The forecast for my area says we will be having a few days of warm temps so spring clean up in definitely on my mind.
Happy Spring to you too!
Patti