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upcycled metal cookie tins repurposed with fabric
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5 from 3 votes

Recycle 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
Active Time2 hours
Dry Time2 hours
Total Time4 hours 15 minutes
Yield: 3 tins
Cost: $0

Equipment

Materials

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.
    Painting a cookie tin lid with outdoor paint
  • 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.
    Spreading Mod podge over blue fabric on a work surface
  • Once the fabric is dry, cut one edge to be straight. You will use this as your reference to line up with one edge of the container.
    Cutting Mod Podged fabric with a rotary cutter
  • 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.
    Wrapping fabric around the body of a metal cookie tin
  • 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.
    Rolling fabric around the center of a metal tin covered in Mod Podge
  • Paint several coats on the outside of the tin to seal.
    Placing Mod Podge over the top of purple fabric on a tin
  • 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 into the overhanging fabric with scissors. Fold the tabs down and Mod Podge into place. Trim as needed.
    Mod Podging fabric around the edge of a cookie tin lid
  • Add ribbon to the rims of the lids using craft glue. Add buttons as accents if you like. Let dry before using.
    Placing ribbon around around the lid edge

Video

Notes

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