Learn how to make Mod Podge fabric bowls the easy way! This is such a cool and easy craft idea, perfect for both kids and adults.
Skills Required: None. This is a perfect beginner craft if you’ve never used Mod Podge before! You’ll be overlapping fabric strips dipped in decoupage medium to make this fabric bowl.
I’ve never made a bowl with Mod Podge, but I’ve always wanted to! I don’t know if you are like me, but I have a list of Mod Podge projects that I want to accomplish but have yet to do, and a fabric bowl has been on the list for a while.
It’s not difficult and I have plenty of fabric, so it just might be time to make one. Visit the tutorial below to learn what an easy craft it is. To be honest, it’s also an easy craft for kids or a great craft for teens. Yep – anyone can do it!
Note: You can use Mod Podge Stiffy for this project instead of regular Mod Podge. Stiffy will make the fabric bowl harder than regular Mod Podge will.
It will still work as a bowl with regular Mod Podge, however. I’ll leave it up to you! Also you don’t have to use Fabric Mod Podge – but you can.
Mod Podge Fabric Bowl
Equipment
- Bowl
Materials
- Fabric lightweight, cut into 2-inch wide strips- two different patterns
- Plastic wrap
- Mod Podge Gloss
- Disposable container
- Bias tape
- Craft glue
Instructions
- Cover your bowl entirely with plastic wrap. You’ll use this as a mold so be sure it’s well covered.
- Pour the Mod Podge into the container and thin slightly with water.
- Flip the bowl upside down. Paint a two-inch wide strip from edge to edge on the bowl and lay a strip of fabric, print side DOWN. Continue to add strips of this pattern, print down, until the bowl is covered.
- Paint another section of the bowl, over the first layer of fabric, as before, this time adding strips of the second pattern of fabric print side UP. Continue until the second layer entirely covers the first.
- Allow the bowl to dry overnight.
- Once dry, remove the bowl from the mold and peel the plastic wrap away.
- Trim the edge of the bowl to the height you want. Add a bead of glue to the outer edge and press the bias tape around the bowl, trimming the excess.
- Once dry, fold the bias tape over and glue along the inside edge. Allow the glue to dry before using.
If you enjoyed this fabric bowl, I’d love for you to check out these other project ideas. There are so many ways to make bowls with Mod Podge!
How cute! I know I could give that a try….
Is the bias tape necessary? If I wanted an unfinished look could I just coat with a little extra mod podge? To me it looks better without but it looks like such a fun project!
Nope, not necessary! You could coat with extra Mod Podge absolutely!
@Kitty, if that doesn’t work I thought instead of bias tape just a bias strip of fabric. One layer of fabric instead of four. Very cute!
I was trying to find something to do with extra fabric and this was the perfect craft. Why does the inside of the bowl come out shiny and the outside dull?
I know that’s a little bit weird – it does do that. My thought process is that on the inside of the bowl it smooths out a bit more when drying. I don’t have a great theory though. LOL
@Amy,
Maybe contact with the plastic wrap while drying makes it look shiny.
Do you need the whole 8oz of Mod Podge for one bowl? and if so what size was the bowl you made?
Hi Karen! No, you need probably 1 oz or so? Maybe not even that. The finished bowl is 8″ wide by 4″ tall but that is based on the bowl I used for the mold!
I’ve made 2 bowls now. The first one turned out perfect. However the plastic wrap on the second one won’t peal off. Any ideas why this has happened? I want to use this for a craft group and want to make sure it works!
Thanks
Hi Karen! So I find that sometimes the plastic wrap sticks on the inside. I’m about to do another tutorial where I mention it. I find that it happens when I use the thinner, cheapy plastic wrap. It’s probably somewhat porous and just soaks through. Just peel it off the best you can. Honestly I don’t hate it personally because I can’t see it (it just looks smooth). Having said that, you could try to use something like glad press n’ seal or something a bit thicker. I’ll let you know how it turns out for me.
This is great! You can also use a balloon.
@Jill, Better not to use a balloon — more useless bits of plastic to hang around for eons.
My Great Grandson will love to make the bowl
Yay! I hope it turns out great!
What can you use this bowl for?
Can it be used in the microwave, dishwasher etc?
Can food be served in it?
It’s decorative use only. You would put it on the coffee table with balls in it, for example. It could hold candy too.
Can you substitute the modge podge for glue instead?
You can try it!
@Abby,
Have to say I do a lot of crafts and find a good PVA glue just as good as Modge Podge unless it’s for outside use, then I use M.P of external use too.
You should make a page on things kids can do.
I’ve got tons of kids crafts! https://modpodgerocksblog.com/craft-ideas/crafts-for-kids/
Let me know if you are looking for anything in particular.
Also, many kids have computers these day so you will probably get more views foryour website. 😁
Does the Mod Podge make the bowl feel stiff/as in sturdy? I know you shouldn’t put food in it or put it in the microwave, but would this be sturdy enough to see in a DIY/craft small business store?
Can you use Mod Podge to make rope bowls instead of a sewing machine? If yes, how would you do it?