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How-to

Decoupage Ideas Using Sewing Patterns

This tissue paper is from a jacket pattern.

Years ago my mother-in-law transformed many items using decoupage techniques. She selected a theme, and made all of her pieces with the theme in mind. When she lived near the ocean, she used a nautical theme. In other locations she used other themes (flowers, birds, etc.). I seem to recall that she used regular white glue to create an artwork collage and then sealed the artwork with many layers of varnish, which also produced a hard outer surface.

Mod Podge makes decoupage a lot easier. It’s a water-based glue, sealant, and varnish all in one. It comes in a bottle and can be found in most craft stores. During a recent online search, I bumped into a couple of extremely inventive items made using Mod Podge. I suspect crafty sewers might enjoy trying the technique to add interesting “sewing” decor to their sewing room or sewing corner.

My first discovery was a table created by Bethany. After her grandmother’s death, Bethany was given a small side table. She transformed it into a beautiful conversation piece using tissue pattern pieces from a jacket pattern. The table’s design is incredibly clever, and would look perfect in any sewing room.

After inquiring about Bethany’s table, I encountered a decorative box made by Amy Anderson also using Mod Podge and pattern tissue paper. Amy decoupaged the amazing box for her friend’s mother’s 60th birthday. (Her friend’s mother happened to love sewing, which made the gift even more special.) Amy was certain the box would make a convenient and lovely storage place for patterns and other sewing notions, and I agree!

You can find step-by-step instructions for both of these ingenious items on Bethany’s and Amy’s websites respectively. Their websites have given me an incredible urge to redecorate my own sewing room!

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  1. User avater
    LuvThreadsMagazine | | #1

    April, you've done it again!

    Daring others could "wallpaper" an accent wall (ceiling?) with enough bits and pieces of patterns.

    Lampshade layering, concealing a damaged wooden carrying case or treadle lid on an older machine, or papering the back panel on a bookcase/display cabinet. Even a folding screen could be recovered and made into something noteworthy.

    Boxes of "assorted patterns" are now affordable wall paper - who knew?

  2. 1Suprise | | #2

    thank you for or very good Idea, I love it...
    have a good day to you.

  3. Patmaker | | #3

    Heidi Elnora, the Designer I work for used old patterns in her shop decore. Her shop; which is a renovated old house had a full wall window in her office which was too public so she covered it with the patterns,laping them over each other it was great it let in the light but kept the view private. Her shop is in Birmingham and unfortunately the 2011 Tuscaloosa tornado took out that wall- It has been replaced with a solid wall.

  4. DaveHaynes | | #4

    I also admire Amy Anderson's work. She is crazy creative.
    And now you gave me that urge to redecorate my room!
    Thank you.

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