DIY Vintage-Inspired Decoupage Plates With Thrifted Lace

Some old (or new) lace and a little glue can turn simple glass plates into something special. In this post, I’m sharing how I made decoupage plates using lace for a soft, nostalgic look that feels both handmade and timeless.

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Creating History with Decoupage Plates

This project started with lace. 

Not the fancy kind you plan for and then shop for it. The kind that gets handed down to you.

Of the kind you stumble upon at the thrift store and cannot stop touching because it feels like it has stories.

Lace that feels like it has a past. A history.

So when I found an old lace tablecloth at the thrift store, it was calling my name.

That call turned into decoupage plates. And honestly, lace might be my new favorite medium!

Supply List

Here is what you need to get started…

• Clear glass plates from the dollar store. You can find various sizes.
• Lace tablecloth or lace scraps.
• Dishwasher safe Mod Podge or another decoupage glue.
• Rubbing alcohol.
• Cotton pads or paper towels.
• Sharp scissors.
• 220-grit sandpaper.
• A damp cloth.

How to Decoupage Plates with Lace

This is a relaxed project. So, put on some music, pour a favorite beverage, and enjoy the process!

Start with the plate upside down. Clean the entire back of the plate with rubbing alcohol. This removes oils and helps the glue stick.

Cut a lace circle slightly bigger than the plate. If you want, you can mark about an inch away from the rim of the plate with colored chalk for a guideline.

Next, apply a generous layer of dishwasher-safe Mod Podge to the back of the plate. Cover the entire back of the plate. Do not be shy here!

Place the lace onto the plate and smooth it gently with your hands. Make sure the pattern side is facing the glass when you place it. Sometimes, you have to use the “feel” of the lace to decide which is the front and the back. The smoother side is the “front” and will be placed face down on the back of the plate.

Work from the center out and push out air bubbles as you go.

Now dab a liberal layer of Mod Podge on top of the lace. Dabbing works better than brushing, as brushing can move the lace and cause wrinkles. This thick layer of Mod Podge should soak through the lace.

Be sure to cover the entire back of the plate and dab glue to the very edge of the rim.

Then walk away! Let the plate dry for about 6 hours or overnight. Remember, this is slow crafting!

Round Two with Decoupage Glue

Once dry, brush on a thin coat of Mod Podge over the lace.

And then…more drying. Fortunately, this layer dries faster!

Just a little tip…place the drying plates upside down on a repurposed candle jar to keep the plates from sticking to the table.

You can see that I decoupaged some pink lace plates. Read on to find out an easy way to dye lace!

Once this dries, use sharp scissors to cut off the excess lace around the edge. 

I love using my tiny Fiskars scissors for this because I can get right up to the plate edge when cutting.

Now for the sandpaper.

What? Sandpaper and lace?

That’s right! Lightly sand the back of the plate and the rim of the plate with 220-grit sandpaper. This removes any rough spots or excess fabric bits.

Wipe the back with a damp cloth. Apply one final coat of Mod Podge to seal the back and sides. Then, let it dry completely.

Once dry, wipe the front of the plate with rubbing alcohol to remove any dried glue smudges.

And that is it!

Simple. Calm. Satisfying!

Try a Twist… Dye the Lace

You know how I love color!

So, I dyed part of the lace tablecloth a soft pink using RIT dye.

And I did it in my washing machine! Here’s how!

• Wash the lace first to remove sizing.
• Fill your washing machine tub with hot water. Not a full tub…just enough to cover the lace. Then, I add an additional tea kettle of hot, hot water.
• Pour a packet of RIT dye into the water and mix with a wooden spoon. If you are dying a large piece of fabric, you might use a full bottle of dye.
• Add a handful of salt to the water as well.
• Last, add the lace and continue stirring.

And stirring…and stirring! (Color blotches occur when you don’t stir!)

The instructions said to leave the fabric in the dye for 30-60 minutes. But I liked the shade of pink after about 10 minutes. So I fished out the fabric and tossed it into the dryer with some old towels to dry.

I took the lace out of the dryer when it was still slightly damp and then let it air dry.

Then I decoupaged the glass plates using the pretty pink lace.

This gentle blush pink tone is so pretty and made the decoupage plates feel extra special.

How to use your decoupage plates

These plates are more than pretty faces!

• Use as dinner plates for special meals. (Yes, I have used these plates to serve dessert and washed them in the dishwasher. They came out intact! Hopefully, they will continue to do so over time.)
• Layer as salad plates on white dishes.
• Use as charger plates as a base for other colorful or patterned dishes.
• Hang on the wall.
• Prop on an easel on a shelf or mantel.

They are a great addition anywhere you want texture and charm.

Care instructions: These are handmade pieces, so of course, I want to treat them kindly. But these are actually dishwasher safe! I would recommend the top rack and not letting the dishes soak for long periods of time.

A Pretty Ending

This project surprised me. 

Lace felt intimidating to me. But, it turns out it was a great challenge for me to try!

Decoupage crafts like this remind me why I love the use of decoupage.

It slows you down. It uses what you already have. It turns a thrifted piece of lace into a beautiful plate that is personal and meaningful.

I hope you try this project!

Grab lace. Grab glue. Make a mess!

Then go check out all the other Lace and Lovely projects from the Handcrafted Society. There is so much creativity waiting there. 

Cheers!

A Little About Me

All Things Lace

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