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DIY Lace Vase

April 22, 2023

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Here's an easy way to decorate a glass vase with lace to create an elegant and romantic home decor accent or centerpiece for weddings, showers and more.

It's a unique way to use furniture transfers on glass.

A furniture transfer scrap and glass vase

When I was in college, I majored in fashion design.

Well, that was my first major anyway, but that's another story.

This one is about fashion and glass.

You see, I've always been drawn to the elegant lines of women's fashion from the 1940's and 50's.

There was just something so sharp, yet feminine, about the designs.

And the way the models wearing the clothes posed.  

One hip jetting out, broad shoulders and an angled head.

Now that was style.

I loved looking at the clothes and drawing them.

Envisioning my own designs.

And putting them all down on paper.

Of course, today, decades later, I'm not sure I could even draw one of those vintage ladies anymore.

And not having any use for model drawings, here in my lovely little cottage, my artistic pursuits have taken another form. I dress my house instead.

However, I still find myself pulled toward those same classic, elegant, lines.

And, while this probably seems like a stretch to you, I often find them in glass vases. Yup. 

For real.

Whenever I go into a thrift store, they're the first thing my eye catches and I immediately start surveying the choices.  I rarely leave without one.

Next to brass candlesticks, my largest collection is glass vases.

I have an array in different colors, sizes, shapes. And lately, I've found myself dressing them, as well. 
However, most recently, I decided to combine my love of form and fashion and dress one in lace. 

For spring. And it's absolutely divine.

Lace Wrapped Glass Vase DIY


The idea came to me when I was digging through my craft cabinet and found a scrap of the lace furniture transfer I used on my wooden sign DIY

I knew right away it would look fabulous hugging my vase and best of all it would hold up to water better than actual lace.

And it would be simple to apply.

Dollar Tree tall cylinder glass vase

My model had great lines, a thrift store find, but I know for a fact it was a Dollar Tree vase.

Step 1: Wash and Dry


I washed and dried the glass and set it aside while I gathered the rest of my supplies.
  1. lace transfer and rubbing tool
  2. scissors 
  3. ruler 

Step 2: Measure 


Next up I had to measure the height of the vase to get an idea of how much transfer I would need to cover the height and width.

Measuring Glass Vase For Transfer


More home decor furniture transfer ideas:

Step 3: Cut The Transfer To Fit


Once I had my measurements firmed up, I cut a piece of the furniture transfer large enough to fit all the way around the glass.

Cutting furniture transfers to size

Then I wrapped it around the vase, and made a small cut to mark the exact size, since there was a little lip where there was no print.

I needed to make sure I had a bit of an overlap or there'd be a blank spot on my vase.

Cutting Transfer To Fit Glass

When I was done snipping, I had a piece that fit around the glass perfectly.

Wrapping cut transfer around a glass vase

Cut The Height


Ok, this part was purely for design. I didn't want the entire vase covered. So again, I measured the glass and cut off several inches of the transfer. 

Cutting vinyl furniture transfers on a rotary board

This way it would only cover about 3/4 of the vase.

Step 4: Put Transfer On Vase


This was the fun part, putting the transfer onto the glass. I started by peeling the backing paper away from the patterned part of the transfer.

Peeling  Backing Away From Vinyl Transfers

Then I carefully positioned it on the glass and pushed it down with my fingers to set it on place.

Vinyl Transfers Applied To Glass

Now this was the tricky part.

I used the rubbing tool that came with the transfers to press down on the pattern and literally transfer it onto the glass.

Transferring  Onto Glass with a rubbing tool

This took a bit of time, since the vase was curved.

Definitely not as simple as a transfer to a flat surface. 

Step 5: Peel


The last step in the transfer process is peeling the backing away to reveal the lovely new look.

Revealing transfer pattern on glass vase

If any part of the transfer seemed like it wasn't releasing, I just put the backing paper down again and rubbed some more.

When I was done I had a lovely, lace covered vase with an etched glass appearance. 

Dollar Tree Vase Covered with a Lace furniture transfer

Although, it has a bit of an unfinished look. It needed more. 

Step 6: Embellish


So I dug back into my craft closet for some inspiration and came up with a piece of curtain trim I had leftover from my lace valance and I glued it on.

Adding Fabric Trim To A Glass Vase Makeover

A little decorative accessory to finish the edges. 

And add a kiss of romance to my spring kitchen.

Lace covered glass vase with pink tulips on a table

Fabulous.

And super stylish.

Dressed in its lacy best.

😉

Would you embellish a glass vase?

Dollar tree lace vase makeover for spring and summer
Kim Signature


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  1. I think this is one of my faves now of your DIY's. This is so pretty and with Mom's day coming up I think this would make a great gift. Have a great weekend. Hugs. Kris

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    1. Thanks Kris! That's a great idea. I was thinking about doing a round up post of Mother's Day gifts. I'll have to add this one to the list!! xo

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  2. This is such a pretty idea. Soon this will be filled with blooms from your yard!

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    1. Thanks Cindy! Yes, I hope so. I’m getting impatient waiting for a garden full of color!!

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  3. This is so pretty....I'm definitely going to make this!💗💗💗

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    1. So glad you like it and are inspired to create your own!! That just makes me smile. Thanks for letting me know!

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  4. How cute is that?! I love it!

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    1. Thanks Mandy! I really like this one, too.

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  5. Another brilliant idea! What a great way to add something extra to a plain vase. It's perfect with the tulips!

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    1. Thanks Mari! This was a very simple DIY, but I love the way it turned out. Happy Spring!!

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  6. This is so pretty, Kim! You are so crafty and talented with DIY things.

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    1. Thanks Melanie! It's my meditation...☺️

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  7. I love clothing from the 40's too! Such attention to detail, and everyone always looked so elegant. Your lace vase looks pretty divine too!

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    1. Aren't those clothes the best? I love watching old movies just for the fashion...they really knew how to dress.

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  8. You had me with fashions from the 40's and lace. This is such a wonderful way to dress-up a plain vase, Kim. Great idea!

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    1. Thank you, Ann! This vase was just begging for a makeover!

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  9. Very pretty Kim, love the lacy look, so perfect for Mother’s Day.

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    1. Thanks Linda! It’s really brightened my kitchen up. Have a sunny Sunday!

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  10. I have many of those cylinders from a daughter’s wedding. Lots of great things to do with them. This lace is brilliant!

    Deanna Rabe

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    1. Yes! So many things...I've decorated a few in different ways and they all look great. I do love the lace best though. Thanks!!

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  11. Lovely, Kim. I applied transfers to the glass shade of the pendant light in my dining room, and love the way it looks now. Hugs.

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    1. Oh! I love that idea!! I'll have to keep it in mind. I bet it's a very pretty addition...

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  12. That’s such a pretty way to enhance your plain vase, Kim. I used canning jars for my tea party and used that wide burlap lace ribbon to slip on mine to hold flowers. I’m posting tomorrow. They looked pretty. ❤️

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    1. Thanks Kitty!! I saw your pretty vases on the table. I think those blue ones are my favorite. Wow, what a color!!

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  13. Thank you, Kim. Your vase is beautiful.

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    1. Oh goodness, thank you!! Such a sweet comment!!

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  14. Kim, you are the crafting queen! I love the way you dressed up the vase with that lace effect. This would make a great Mother’s Day gift with pretty flowers.
    Julie’s Creative Lifestyle

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    1. Thanks Julie! Maybe I should add them to a Mother's Day gift round up!

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  15. This is so pretty. Great idea I must do. I like how you added the lace at top to finish it off.

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I really like that little trim piece, too. I had it leftover from a valance that hangs in my kitchen.

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  16. Another great idea! I am pinning! Carla

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    1. Thanks Carla!! Pinning makes me super happy!!

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  17. I just love the lace transfer you used Kim! Adds such a delightful charm to the already lovely bouquet of tulips! I agree with you about the 40s and 50s fashion, it was truly pleasing to the eye in form and detail. Your eye for design is always evident in all you do! Blessings to you dear friend!

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    1. Marilyn, you always leave the kindest comments. Thanks for the smile today my friend. I hope you're enjoying a lovely weekend!

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  18. Now THAT is pretty! If I did embellish a glass vase, I somehow doubt I'd get it as perfectly lined up as you did!

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    1. Haha! You could totally do it, Amy! I have faith! And thanks!

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  19. This looks so nice, and the tulips look lovely in it too.

    All the best Jan

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  20. That lacy transfer made such a big difference and the real lace trim finishes it off perfectly. I love how you transitioned from dressing up humans to dressing your house and that you can still explore you creativity in so many different ways too.

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