Decoupage table tutorial...another oldie but goodie

Decoupage (gluing paper, fabric or other textiles for embellishment) is a great way to fix or enhance a table surface. It can hide blemishes or spiffy up a dull top. There are just a few simple steps and supplies. I had this table in storage and because of the damaged top, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. It had a hole where a glass top would go and it was super-dated.  I saw this peice in PaintMagic Magazine and ripped it out a while ago. I was going through my "tear sheet" box for ideas and found it. When I tore it out, I knew sometime I wanted to do a piece of furniture with the red and beige like that so it became my "inspiration"piece.  Because of the damage on the top, I knew decoupage was the perfect way to fix it. You'll need: *regular Mod Podge decoupage medium (I like the satin finish) *a wide foam brush *braided trim *a water based polyurethane or varnish *cotton duck, or 100% heavy duty cotton fabric with a flat printed surface that is non-stretchy. *tacky glue I started with the red paint *If you are going to paint the piece, like I did, it is best to do that step first and do the decoupaging after the paint is cured. Do not paint the area to be decoupaged. Fill any damaged areas with wood filler or spackle. I opted for spackle this time because I was going to be decoupaging over the hole, not painting. Sand your surface. If it is a leather top, sand it until all of the shine is gone. I normally wet-sand to cut down on the dust. Cut your fabric to fit. If the edge isn't perfect don't worry, that's where your braided trim will come in. Apply Mod Podge to the entire top....  ....and the back of the fabric. Work quickly, as it can dry fast. After completely covering the surface in medium, lay your fabric on the surface being careful not to stretch it. Use your hand to push out all of the air bubbles and excess glue. If you leave either under the surface it will dry that way.If you need to reposition your fabric, pull it up gently, and reapply the medium. It may stretch the fabric slightly, so it is better to put it on right the first time. If it seems like there is a bubble you just can't get rid of, use a pin to poke holes in the top and then push them out again. After all of the bubbles are out, spread another layer of medium completely over the surface. Let dry. Now is the time you can treat the table top like a canvas as I did with acrylic paints on top. I lightened my fabric with a cream and aged brown wash and added a floral motif to match the sides.If you do, let the paint dry completely before adding the next layer of medium. Otherwise, you can leave it as is and move on to the next step. Add another layer of decoupage medium and let dry. Spread on a layer of a protective medium such as water-based varnish or polyacrylic. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. I normally add 2-3 coats of a satin finish.I would definately recommend doing this part in a very well ventilated area. I normally do this part in my garage because it's stinky and I don't want the kids breathing it. It will appear blue or cloudy, but will dry clear. Depending on the use, I put 2-3 coats on, following the manufacturer's instructions. After dry,the surface may have slightly rough feel to it. The more layers of poly, the smoother it will get. After the varnish/poly has cured, use a tacky craft glue to glue your braided trim around the edge. This will hide any rough or unevely cut edges. Clean the excess glue off with a slightly damp paper towel. Enjoy your table top. It's ready to be used in about 48 hours... There is a Mod Podge that dries in a hard finish so you don't need an extra poly, but that says it takes 4 weeks to cure...I don't know about you, but I don't have 4 extra weeks hanging around anywhere. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail. Also, if you do this project, please send me a picture or if it's a post let me know... I'd love to see your results!