Make Your Own Oilcloth Fabric

It all started with gorgeous piece of fabric from Hawthorne Threads. It is from the Modern Meadow collection by Joel Dewberry, and I am in L.O.V.E with it! I ordered 2 yards and I don't think that's enough because I want to plaster it all over the place. Anyway, back to the subject....I'm easily distracted by pretty things. I've always loved the look and feel of oilcloth fabric, but it is hard to find and the selection is small. Sooooooo, I wondered if I could laminate my own fabric. I went on a search to my local crafts store looking for a product that might do just that.

I found something I thought would work, but then I needed something to put the laminated fabric on.....enter Old Navy. I found these great little accordian folders marked 47 cents and because all of their clearance is half off, they ended up costing me less than 24 cents. Hello, that is not even a quarter! How could I pass them up?




I used this iron on vinyl material by Heat n' Bond to laminate the fabric and it worked like a dream. I must admit, I was a bit skeptical.....but it really worked!

I cut a piece of fabric big enough to wrap around the front and back of my accordian folder. Then I cut a piece of vinyl the same size and ironed it on to the fabric, following the package directions.

See how it looks glossy now? That's my new, made by me, oilcloth fabric ready to dress up my little coupon holder.

I decided to use mod podge to adhere the fabric to the folder and it worked really well. I added a scrapbook embellishment with a piece of ribbon running through it to the bottom and hot glued them on. Now I can keep this little cutie in my purse and not worry about it kicking around in there getting dirty. The vinyl laminate will protect the fabric and I can wipe it clean whenever I need to. This would also make a great alternative for diaper bags, baby bibs, tablecloths, placemats, etc. Did I mention you can also use a sewing machine on this stuff??? It is amazing.....and the creative possibilities are endless!