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Follow this step-by-step tutorial and learn everything you need to know about how to Mod Podge fabric onto wood furniture.

The color and design possibilities are endless when you update a piece of furniture with a favorite fabric and Mod Podge.

Ok, it’s crafting confession time. I LOVE shopping for fabric. I could spend hours looking at patterns and designs. The problem: I have *very limited* sewing skills. Like, I can sew in a straight line, and that’s about it.

So, I’m always looking for ways to use beautiful fabric patterns, that don’t require serious seamstress skills.

And that’s how this craft project came to be. I fell in love with this floral fabric at Hobby Lobby, and I had an old step stool lying around. The rest is history.

Why I love this project

Yes, a quick coat of paint can easily and inexpensively breathe new life into any furniture piece. But unless you’re pulling out the stencils, you’re often limited to a solid color.

There is no more fun, easy and affordable way to elevate and transform your furniture than with the art of decoupage! With only a few basic supplies, you can turn any piece of wooden furniture into a creative, stylish masterpiece.

What kind of fabric can you Mod Podge onto wood?

I prefer to stick with cotton fabric. Nothing too thick or with too much stretch to it is preferred.

What kind of furniture can you Mod Podge fabric onto?

Any wood surface really, as long as it’s flat. This won’t work as well with wood furniture that has grooves or other detail. If it’s painted or stained, just be sure to give it a light sanding and remove any chipping paint.

Before getting started: Lay the fabric over your wood surface to test it. If your fabric is light or sheer, the color of the wood surface underneath may show through. If you don’t like this look, paint your wood surface with a coat of white primer or a complimentary color before starting with this tutorial.

Supplies Needed for this Project:

• Wooden surface to apply fabric to
• Hard Coat Mod Podge
• Cotton fabric in pattern and color you like
• Scissors
• Paintbrush (one large, one small)
• Parchment or wax paper
• Smoothing tool (credit card, gift card or any hard, straight edge)
• Clear polycrylic sealer

Tutorial: How to Mod Podge Fabric onto Wood Surface

1. Prep your surface. Lightly sand the wood if it is painted or stained. Apply a base coat of primer or paint if necessary.

2. Pre-wash and dry the fabric.

3. Cut your fabric down to size, leaving at least an extra inch extending in all directions.

4. Lay down a sheet of parchment or wax paper to protect your work surface. Place your fabric face-down on the paper. Then apply a generous coat of Mod Podge to the back of the fabric with a paintbrush. **Craft Tip: pour the Mod Podge straight onto the fabric and spread evenly with the paint brush.

5.Once your fabric is well coated and the Mod Podge is evenly spread, add a coat of Mod Podge to the wood surface as well. Spread evenly onto the wooden surface. While it should be well-coated, it should not be over saturated.

6. Carefully lift up the fabric by two corners. Carefully drape the fabric over the wooden surface. Make sure it’s positioned correctly before using the palms of your hands to smooth the fabric against the wood. Use gentle pressure to eliminate air bubbles and creases. **Side Note: floral and abstract patterns are more forgiving. However, if working with a striped, checked or more uniform pattern, be careful not to shift the fabric as you are smoothing it to maintain your lines.

7. If working with a surface that has rounded corners: Cut out a small triangle from each corner of the fabric. Keep in mind that the purpose of this is to fold the fabric beneath the stool top without creating bumps and creases.

8. Drag your smoothing tool across the surface and along the edges of your wood surface, really taking your time to push out any creases or air bubbles. You want to be firm and consistent, but not overly rough. Take your time with this process. Once the Mod Podge dries, there’s no going back!

9. If working with a surface that has rounded corners: Flip your surface over, and trim your fabric to the length needed to cleanly secure your fabric beneath the surface. Use a small paintbrush to apply a line of Mod Podge along the edge of the surface’s underside. Fold the remaining fabric to adhere it to the Mod Podge, creating a sealed finish.

10. If decoupaging a drawer front or table top with sharp edges, you would instead use a cutting mat and appropriate blade to trim away any excess fabric along the edge of your surface.
11. Turn your project right-side up and apply two coats of Mod Podge directly on your fabric surface and edges. Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second. This is to ensure full coverage in case you missed any spots on the first coat.

12. Finally, seal the surface with a coat of clear polycrylic or other sealer of choice. Once dry, your stool is complete!

My finished fabric step stool

More Mod Podge Crafts:

• How to make your own photo canvases – Photo canvas prints can cost a small fortune. Follow this tutorial to make your own.
• Make this decoupage picture frame using Mod Podge and printed photos. What a great way to display vacation pictures!
• Follow this wood photo transfer tutorial, and learn how to add images to wood surfaces using Mod Podge. Discover an easy way to print pictures onto wood rounds for photo gifts.