How To Apply Fabric To Wood

 

How to Apply Fabric to a Wood Tray

Working with anything wood is always a good idea if you ask me. Just check out my Amazon Store favorites and you will see I am not lying! This how to apply fabric to wood tray tutorial is perfect for anyone looking for a brand new decorative wood tray to add to their home decor.

It is even good for an oldie but goodie that you found at your local thrift store. Wherever it came from, it is a simple DIY makeover to your basic wood tray to take it from boring to fabulous in under an hour.

Adding the perfect piece of fabric is the easiest way to add a little somethin’ something to this practical piece of home decor. This would be so great for Easter, Mother’s Day, or even a new addition for your own summer home decor that you pull out each year.

So, let’s get started on this customizable beauty. Grab your supplies, and let me teach you how to get this look in my step-by-step tutorial!

SUPPLIES NEEDED TO Apply FABRIC TO YOUR WOOD:

• Wood Trays
• Fat Quarter bundles – Sweet Rose Floral Pioneer Woman Fabric
• Waverly paint: colors Curry and Maze
• Fabric Mod Podge
• Rotary Cutter
• Fabric marker
• Straight edge Measuring mat
• Bubble wrap
• Chip or paint brushes
• Hot glue
• Exacto knife
• Baby Wipes
• Puppy Pads

STEPS:

1 – Grab your 14 x 14 wooden tray and apply a coat of Maze by Waverly. Be sure to cover it completely! Tip* You decide the color that would be best for your home decor! This craft is so customizable, which makes it so great!

2 – Dry before moving on to the next step. Use a heat gun to speed up the process.

3 – Determine which fat quarter of fabric design you want. Open up and remove the salvaged edge so you don’t accidentally use it in your project. Tip* You can use scrapbook paper, contact paper, napkins, etc instead of fabric if you want. Just be creative.

4 – Make sure your design rests properly with the handles on the side when applying your fabric. Tip* Always have a visual plan before committing. 

5 – Lay the fabric down flat with the pretty design upside down. Place the tray on top to help you measure out the amount of fabric you need. With a pen or light fabric marker, that won’t bleed through, trace your tray. When cutting you will cut about ⅛” of an inch from your traced line leaving you a tiny bit of excess all around the square shape of the fabric. Tip* I am not an exact measurer EVER, so if you are, feel free to measure. There is a tip at the end of your fabric that is too long later. 

6 – Use a straight edge to help to cut fabric with a rotary cutter where needed. Save excess scraps you cut for another craft later. 

7 – Iron your fabric so it is nice and free of wrinkles. Set aside. 

8 – Grab some bubble wrap and trim off a section from your main roll. Cut into a couple of 2-3” strips. With a foam brush and your Curry color paint, apply a thin covering over the bubbles. Apply that thin strip to the ends to give a “Honeycomb” look. Place it in sections around the edges of your tray, here and there giving a random fun touch. Tip* Don’t put it all over because it gets a bit gunky, and sometimes,  less is more y’all! 

9 – Grab your fabric mod podge and your foam brush. Apply a thin layer on the edge of your fabric where you allowed for excess using your line to be your guide. Then fold over to meet your line so your edge is nice and clean. This is a simple HEM line. Repeat on all four sides, folding up to have clean edges all around. 

10 – Bring your wood tray over and play with the placement of your pretty fabric. You should have a tiny lip to go up the sides a bit. Be careful not to block your handle. Also, be sure that you like your design in its place. This is just giving you a visual to begin. 

11 – Remove fabric and apply a coat of your fabric Mod Podge, really paying attention to the corners of your wood tray. Cover completely and really just follow the directions on your Mod Podge for best results. 

12 – Once covered in Mod Podge, grab your fabric. Be sure to start from one side and begin to lay it flat. With a flat edge tool, Cricut tool, or even a credit card, smooth out your fabric to help it adhere to your tray. This also helps remove any air bubbles. 

13 – Added idea, If you don’t like the excess fabric that is forming up on the lip of your edges, use your straight edge and an Exacto knife to remove it. I told you I don’t ever measure accurately, but I can always make it work.  The ribbon did the trick!

Wasn’t that just so much fun? I told you working with wood is always a good idea. And I can’t get enough of these 2 colors from Waverly, Maze, and Curry. They are definitely my favorite SUMMER colors.

 

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How To Style a Wood Tray

This little tray would be so cute styled with a candle, some faux greenery, and your remote controls in your living room. Or even on your kitchen island with a tiered tray tucked right inside with accenting pieces to pull from the colors of your fabrics.

Although it’s not ideal for serving food off of, it would be great to have your plates or silverware resting inside for a BBQ. So many ways to style a wood tray

Love this DIY Wood Tray?! Pin it for later!