Wondering what to do with old cookie tins? This simple cookie tin craft idea is a great way to repurpose tin cans and use up scrap fabric at the same time!
Wondering what to do with old cookie tins? This simple cookie tin craft idea is a great way to repurpose tin cans and use up scrap fabric at the same time!
It’s the end of the month, and that means it’s Int’l Bloggers Club Challenge time. For those of you who are here for the first time, this is a monthly challenge that I participate in with my blogger friends who live all over the world. We meet up each month to compare notes and see how we do things in our corner of the world. Last month, I repurposed a tire rim into a wind chime, and the month before we looked at our epic hits and fails.
Upcycled Tin Can Craft Ideas
This month we’re doing crafts with tin cans – any kind of tin cans. We all have them at home – why throw them out when we can reuse them for storage? Today I’ll be showing you how to upcycle them and make pretty cookie tin cans with fabric.
I had a collection of old cookie tins cans that I wanted to use for storing things. But they didn’t look so pretty. So I decided to upcyle them with fabric.
Materials Needed for this Cookie Tin Craft
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This was the fabric I chose to use for the upcycling project. It’s pretty and because I’m from Greece I like to use bright colors with some of that aqua blue in there to remind me of the sea.
I cut the fabric about three times the width of the side of the tin. For the length I wrapped the fabric around the tin, plus four fingers.
Once it was cut, I folded it over one third of the way and pressed it down. That fold would go on the top rim of the tin.
Now it was time to start gluing it on with Mod Podge.
The Exterior
I first brushed the mod podge on the outside of the cookie tin. I added a little at a time because it dries really fast. Then I pressed the fabric with the fold on the top of the opened tin. I slowly worked my way around the whole exterior of the tin in this way. I used the fold as a guide. The fold was on the top rim of the tin.
Here you can see that the fabric has been glued all around on the exterior except for the edge.
The edge was folded over but first I applied mod podge so that the fold was glued onto itself.
More mod podge was applied to the folded edge and then pressed down onto the tin side. This gives us a nice crisp look.
The Interior
Next it was time to tackle the interior. I applied the mod podge on the inside of the empty tin can. You can work much faster than the exterior because you don’t have to worry about the fabric since it has already been secured.
This is the second third of the fabric. I just pressed the fabric down to the insides of the tin.
I pressed the fabric all around and tucked it to the bottom of the edges leaving the excess on the bottom.
The Exterior Bottom
Now it was time to tackle the bottom of the tin. I was working with the last third of the fabric for the bottom. I cut the excess fabric into strips.
Working with one strip at a time, I would apply mod podge and press the strip down to the tin. As I went around, the fabric strips ended up being glued on top of each other.
The round hole in the center was covered with a small piece of fabric that I’d cut into a circular shape.
The Interior Bottom
To cover the interior of the bottom I took a piece of cardboard and tracing the tin, I drew a circle. I cut the circle out and placed it inside the tin. If it was a little too big, I simply trimmed it a bit till it fit into the tin with ease.
I took another piece of fabric that was square and glued it onto the cardboard circle. Then I cut the excess fabric into strips, just like I had done above on the tin bottom. And then I glued the strips all around. They don’t have to be perfect.
Once this was done, I flipped this cardboard over and placed it into the bottom of the tin.
Below you can see how the interior looks now that the fabric covered cardboard has been inserted.
And lastly I painted the covers of the tins with chalky type paint. And since I had a few tin cans I painted them too. And because I was going overboard anyway I covered a telephone book with this fun fabric.
Well that was quite a long tutorial. It’s not as hard as it seems, I just wanted to make sure to show all the steps in detail.
I think it was so worth it to do this cute tin can craft. Now my cookie tins look like fancy decorative storage boxes. And how long did all of this take, maybe half an hour? But so worth it to achieve this pretty look.
With this cookie tin craft I was able to use some of those supplies that we all have lying around the house and transform them into something really pretty.
I hope you enjoyed my how to make pretty cookie can tins with fabric. Do you reuse and upcycle your tins or do you just recycle them?
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And now hop on over to visit my four friends who are also sharing their spring and fall crafts. Simply click on the images below my name. If you’d like to see more past challenges click here.
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I love what you did with these tin cans. Beautiful results.
Thank you so much Ivory. Wish I would have thought of it years ago!
I love these biscuits and the tin cans! They bring back so many memories! They look even prettier now Mary. Great color choices!
And you know everyone has some of these at home hiding somewhere.
These are so cute! Love the fabric and colors you used. I need more storage for little things all the time. I can see these stacked in a pretty closet keeping everything organized! pinned 🙂
I am going to put them front and center, since I went through all this trouble. They will match other things when I’m done.
These have such a lovely finish Mary, I love a details tutorial so all the steps are clear, so thank you for that!
I like how you painted the lids in a plain colour for a contrast, they look great.
Thanks Julie. I was glad I did the tutorial too. many times we just assume that others will know how to do something but that is not always the case. And its nice to see all the steps.
I saw this on instagram and I had to read all the details! It looks great and would make the perfect gift with some homemade cookies!
You are absolutely right. But I’m staying away from the cookies for now. I am going to use this as an organizer for storage.
Mary, these are really awesome! The use of the cardboard for the inserts is great and the design you created on the bottom is just awesome! Pinned!
Angie thanks. I figured if I was going to cover them I might as well do a proper job!
What a creative idea! You’re one of my features today at the Sew It Cook It Craft It Link Party.
Thank you so much Lina. I am truly honored!
I love the fabric that you chose. I have been into blue and green for several years now and used it on my back deck. Great job!
🙂 gwingal
Really beautiful colors Nikki. They are so soothing!
Your covering is so neat Mary and I love the colour of fabric you chose
Thank you Amber. It is soothing yet fun!!
Very clever upcycle! I love the colors you used!
Thanks Dara, I;m doing the room with a coastal feel and this fabric just felt so right.
such a cute makeover and fun fabric!!!
Thanks Kim, I want the whole room to be fun and bright!
That looks so pretty, the fabric you picked is just gorgeous.
Fun and happy, thanks Christine.
What a fabulous idea Mary! I love the fabric and colours you chose! Will have to try making some of these for my craft room! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sam. Why should something be plain when it can be pretty? 🙂
I love the idea, but was wondering, did the lids fit after the fabric was added. It seems like the thickness of the fabric might make that prohibitive.
Cheryl you are right the fabric was pretty thick and it was a tight fit, but they do close. In the future it is good to use a thinner fabric.
Just another thought, for all those who want tins without cookies, check at your local thrift stores. They often get tins donated in a variety of sizes.
Thanks for the tip Cheryl!
i had done this yrs ago with contact paper , man what a mess ! i have all sizes and shapes of tins so i’ll try with fabrics now !!
I have also tried it with contact paper. You are right about it being a mess. I think this was much easier with the mod podge because you can move it around and get it just right before it dries. Thanks for dropping by June.
Hi Mary! I remember this project!! I reuse cookie tins all the time ~ just found two Christmas ones that I just put out during the holiday season. 🙂 My favorite is an old tin from the 1960’s which I appropriated from my mother and still use as a sewing box. Mom was only too happy for me to take over all sewing from age 7 onward!
Happily shared,
Barb 🙂
Wow Barbara, that was such a young age to start sewing. And now I’m sure you are an expert and have mom’s tin by your side.
Love this idea Mary and the fabric you picked is perfect for jazzing up the tins.
That is such a happy fabric and just what was needed in that room.
These are so pretty and such a great upcycle! I love the colors and love how many ways they can be used. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go, I’ll be featuring you next week!
Thanks so much Chas. Hope you have a great weekend.
The Exterior
The Interior Bottom
I love what you did with these tin cans. Beautiful results.
Thank you so much Ivory. Wish I would have thought of it years ago!
I love these biscuits and the tin cans! They bring back so many memories! They look even prettier now Mary. Great color choices!
And you know everyone has some of these at home hiding somewhere.
These are so cute! Love the fabric and colors you used. I need more storage for little things all the time. I can see these stacked in a pretty closet keeping everything organized! pinned 🙂
I am going to put them front and center, since I went through all this trouble. They will match other things when I’m done.
These have such a lovely finish Mary, I love a details tutorial so all the steps are clear, so thank you for that!
I like how you painted the lids in a plain colour for a contrast, they look great.
Thanks Julie. I was glad I did the tutorial too. many times we just assume that others will know how to do something but that is not always the case. And its nice to see all the steps.
I saw this on instagram and I had to read all the details! It looks great and would make the perfect gift with some homemade cookies!
You are absolutely right. But I’m staying away from the cookies for now. I am going to use this as an organizer for storage.
Mary, these are really awesome! The use of the cardboard for the inserts is great and the design you created on the bottom is just awesome! Pinned!
Angie thanks. I figured if I was going to cover them I might as well do a proper job!
What a creative idea! You’re one of my features today at the Sew It Cook It Craft It Link Party.
Thank you so much Lina. I am truly honored!
I love the fabric that you chose. I have been into blue and green for several years now and used it on my back deck. Great job!
🙂 gwingal
Really beautiful colors Nikki. They are so soothing!
Your covering is so neat Mary and I love the colour of fabric you chose
Thank you Amber. It is soothing yet fun!!
Very clever upcycle! I love the colors you used!
Thanks Dara, I;m doing the room with a coastal feel and this fabric just felt so right.
such a cute makeover and fun fabric!!!
Thanks Kim, I want the whole room to be fun and bright!
That looks so pretty, the fabric you picked is just gorgeous.
Fun and happy, thanks Christine.
What a fabulous idea Mary! I love the fabric and colours you chose! Will have to try making some of these for my craft room! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Sam. Why should something be plain when it can be pretty? 🙂
Congrats Mary! Your post received the Most Clicks at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty. See here: http://grammysgrid.com/wednesday-aim-link-party-18/
Thank you so much, I am thrilled!
I love the idea, but was wondering, did the lids fit after the fabric was added. It seems like the thickness of the fabric might make that prohibitive.
Cheryl you are right the fabric was pretty thick and it was a tight fit, but they do close. In the future it is good to use a thinner fabric.
Just another thought, for all those who want tins without cookies, check at your local thrift stores. They often get tins donated in a variety of sizes.
Thanks for the tip Cheryl!
i had done this yrs ago with contact paper , man what a mess ! i have all sizes and shapes of tins so i’ll try with fabrics now !!
I have also tried it with contact paper. You are right about it being a mess. I think this was much easier with the mod podge because you can move it around and get it just right before it dries. Thanks for dropping by June.
Hi Mary! I remember this project!! I reuse cookie tins all the time ~ just found two Christmas ones that I just put out during the holiday season. 🙂 My favorite is an old tin from the 1960’s which I appropriated from my mother and still use as a sewing box. Mom was only too happy for me to take over all sewing from age 7 onward!
Happily shared,
Barb 🙂
Wow Barbara, that was such a young age to start sewing. And now I’m sure you are an expert and have mom’s tin by your side.
Love this idea Mary and the fabric you picked is perfect for jazzing up the tins.
That is such a happy fabric and just what was needed in that room.
These are so pretty and such a great upcycle! I love the colors and love how many ways they can be used. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go, I’ll be featuring you next week!
Thanks so much Chas. Hope you have a great weekend.