DIY Patriotic Dishes

When I was a little girl, I loved (and still do) visiting my grandparents’ farm in Georgia.

My grandfather, Papa, always had work for me to do to earn money and my grandmother, Mamaw, always had a craft for us to do together.

Every summer I would spend a week with them and one year my Mamaw introduced me to the art of plate decorating.

She showed me a few she had made and I was a little intimidated by how awesome they looked.

But when I saw how easy it was I couldn’t wait to give it a try.

I made these cute dishes last year for the Fourth Of July and I just got them back out for Memorial Day.

It’s funny how some fabric-lined plates can instantly take you back to your childhood.

I can almost smell her fresh homemade banana nut bread and I’m definitely missing the caramel walnut brownies she made on every vacation trip to the cabin at Lake Hartwell.

 Want to make your own?

All you need is some fabric, Mod Podge, scissors, a foam paint brush, and clear dishes.

You can get clear glass plates from the Dollar Tree for a dollar each.

I went with two different patterns and two sizes of plates.

Also be sure to cover your workspace with a thick layer of newspaper.

Mod Podge can get pretty messy.

Start by cutting a rough outline around your plates.

You want your fabric circles to be a little wider than the plate so it reaches all the edges.

Don’t worry, you can trim it later.

Next put your plate upside down on top of an upside down bowl.

This makes it a lot easier to work with, move, and pick up.

Spread a layer of matte finish Mod Podge over the entire bottom of the plate.

It goes on white but dries clear.

Working quickly, top the Mod Podge with your pre-cut fabric (print side down) and smooth well with your fingers.

Having that extra little bit around the edge comes in handy here because it keeps the inside from wrinkling.

Some of the glue may soak through the fabric onto your hands and that’s okay.

It washes off skin very easily.

Once smooth, spread a layer of Mod Podge over the fabric.

Let dry for 1 hour.

Repeat steps for any other plates you are making.

After the glue dries, you can use some sharp fabric scissors to trim the excess right up against the plate edge.

The dried glue makes the fabric stiff and easier to cut than the soft material.

Once trimmed, add another coat of Mod Podge to the back to seal the edges and tighten the fabric bond.

Let dry for 24 hours before handling.

This is the finished product!

They perfect for serving appetizers and snacks at parties and are wonderful hostess and birthday gifts.

You can customize them by using any fabric pattern you’d like.

**Keep in mind these dishes are not dishwasher safe.

They need to be hand washed very quickly on the top only.

The bottom can withstand a little water but just in case you didn’t get a perfect seal on the edges, try to keep the bottom dry.

Have you ever made your own decorative dishes?

What did you use them for?

My favorite ways to use these plates are for serving cold veggies, cheese and crackers, and handheld desserts.