How to Reuse Cookie Tins with Mod Podge

Do you end up with a lot of tins leftover from holiday goodies? Mod Podge them with fabric – it’s the perfect way to reuse cookie tins. SO easy!

Skills Required: Beginner. If you have prior crafting experience, it will be easy for you to cut fabric and apply it with Mod Podge. The only challenge you might have is darting for containers that need it, but I have tips for you.

With the holidays over, you may have a very important question: how to reuse cookie tins? Our family seemed to get loads of nice tins this year for Christmas filled with cookies, nuts, and other goodies.

I really hate to throw nice metal containers out – they are way too perfect for recycled craft projects!

So I don’t throw them out.

I keep the tins and decoupage them with leftover fabric. In case you were doing the math in your head, that is a grand total of $0 spent. If you’re wondering what to do with old cookie tins, this is a great idea. Here’s how I did it.

Reuse Holiday Cookie Tins

Gather These Supplies

• Recycled tins – any size and shape
• Fabric leftovers – larger enough to cover the container
• FolkArt acrylic paint – Pure Titanium (optional)
• Mod Podge Gloss
• Paint brush
• Scissors, craft knife or rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Ribbon
• Buttons
• Craft glue

This first step is optional. If you want to reuse cookie tins with dark patterns on them or your fabric is kinda thin, you might want to paint the container with acrylic paint.

I did that with the green and black container above so that the pattern wouldn’t show through the fabric.

The next step is to prepare your fabric with Mod Podge. This will make it easier to cut without fraying, and easier to apply to the container smoothly. Simply paint a medium coat of Mod Podge on the fabric and let dry.

Once the fabric is dry, cut one edge to be straight. You will use this as your reference.

Place your fabric on the cookie tin and measure where you need to cut at the top. I didn’t even use a ruler, but you can. I just marked it with my finger. Once you do this, cut to fit the container.

Place a medium layer of Mod Podge on the container and then carefully wrap the fabric around, smoothing as you go. Let it dry for 15 – 20 minutes.

Paint several coats of Mod Podge on the outside to seal. I didn’t paint onto the tin, but you can. I just wiped the Mod Podge away if it got onto the tin.

Yes, I am a messy crafter. But if you’re going to reuse cookie tins, it might get a little messy, and that’s part of the process!

The lid is WAY easier than you think. Place the lid flat onto the back of the fabric and trace with a pencil. Now you have a circle on the fabric. Cut about 1/2″ extra around the circle on the outside – so you are cutting a larger circle than you traced.

Why did you do this? Because you are going to Mod Podge the circle to the top and then cut the overhang and fold it down. You can see how I did it in the picture. Do it all the way around the lid, cutting and Mod Podging. Trim off extra with scissors.

Add ribbon to the rims of the lids and buttons to the tops. If you want to. Your dream of recycling cookie tins is complete.

You now have fancy containers, and you can feel good because you’ve done a recycled craft. You can reuse cookie tins for all sorts of things, but I like them in the craft room. Enjoy!

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5 from 3 votes

Repurpose Cookie Tins

Are you wondering what to do with old cookie tins? Learn how to repurpose them using Mod Podge and fabric! It's easy to decoupage on a tin surface.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Active Time2 hours hrs

Total Time2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Yield: 3 tins

Cost: $0

Equipment

• Paintbrush(es)
• Scissors, craft knife or rotary cutter
• Ruler
• Pencil

Materials

• Recycled metal tins
• Fabric scraps larger enough to cover the container
• Craft paint or spray paint white
• Mod Podge Gloss
• Ribbon
• Buttons
• Craft glue

Instructions

• If your fabric is thin, prepare the metal tins by paint them with white craft or spray paint. This is so the tin design doesn’t show through the fabric.
• Prepare your fabric with Mod Podge. Paint a medium coat on the fabric and let dry.
• Once the fabric is dry, cut one edge to be straight. You will use this as your reference.
• Place your fabric on the cookie tin and measure where you need to cut at the top. Use a ruler if necessary.
• Cut the fabric to fit the container.
• Place a medium layer of Mod Podge on the container and then carefully wrap the fabric around, smoothing as you go. Let it dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Paint several coats on the outside of the tin to seal.
• Place the lid flat onto the back of the fabric and trace with a pencil. Now you have a circle on the fabric. Cut about 1/2" extra around the circle on the outside – so you are cutting a larger circle than you traced.
• Mod Podge the circle to the top. and then cut tabs in the overhang with scissors. Fold the tabs down and Mod Podge into place.
• Add ribbon to the rims of the lids using craft glue. Add buttons as accents if you like. Let dry before using.

Video

Notes

This project ranges in price – I had all the materials on hand and the tins were recycled.

Are you wanting to recycle more items in your home using decoupage? Check out these other project ideas:

• Altoid Tin Crafts Made with Mod Podge
• Magazine Bowl You Can Make for Free!
• Cute DIY Pencil Holder from a Jar (Free to Make!)
• DIY Desk Organizer from Recycled Materials