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Young House Love » Our First House » How To Make DIY Cork Vases (And Cover Them In Cute Fabric)

| By Sherry Petersik | August 12, 2010 | 114 Comments

How To Make DIY Cork Vases (And Cover Them In Cute Fabric)

You may have spotted our little DIY cork vases back in the big office reveal (and the follow up guest bedroom/playroom post). And now we’re back to share our two-different-looks tutorial. Yup, you can keep them au naturale…

Cork Vases Final Pins Offic

… or cover the cork with fabric for a playful printed look:

Cork Vases Boxes Fabric Aft

We first got the idea to create cork vases for pinning up little reminders and paint swatches that we loved from seeing an expensive designer cork lamp a while back. It seemed like such a smart way to keep from forgetting Clara’s checkups along with our dental appointments- and to add some aesthetically pleasing function to the room as well. But we didn’t need a lamp, and we just happened to have two glass vases lying around (one from Ikea and one from a bouquet of flowers that we received a while back). And so the cork vase idea was born. All we picked up was a pack of cork from Target for around $5 and we were ready to go.

Cork Vases How To DIY Steps

The four squares of cork in the pack provided more than enough material to cover both vases. And they even came with self adhesive squares that we used to stick our cut-to-size rectangles on each side of each vase. We just laid the vase on the cork, and traced an exacto knife along the edge of the vase to create our rectangles for each of the four sides for each vase. Then with a sticky square on each of the four corners for each plane we stuck them carefully to the vase (going slowly enough to ensure that they were straight and lined up with each other before firmly sticking them on).

Cork Vases Tutorial Pic2

Before we knew it we had two cork vases. Easy, peasy. Oh and here’s a tip. Since we used the white adhesive squares to secure the cork, if you look on the inside of the vases you can see them (since they’re clear vases and the squares are white). So it helps to consider what you’ll be filling your vases with to hide those white squares (a plant and some paint decks did the job for us). You could also use dabs of clear glue from a hot glue gun in each corner to adhere the cork if you plan to leave the vases less full and don’t want to worry about the white squares being seen if anyone peers down into each vase.

Cork Vases Final Pins Offic

Although we loved the rough natural texture of the cork, we actually decided it would be fun to take things one step further with some printed fabric. The pins would still stick through the textile and grab the cork (so none of the function would be lost) and we really liked the idea of gaining some pattern and fun since we knew these babies would sit on Clara’s bookcase in our office/guest room/playroom. First we roughly cut out a strip of fabric that could easily wrap around the entire circumference of each vase (with extra fabric on the top and bottom to allow for a “hem” to create a more polished and finished look).

Cork Vase Fabric Step1

Then we whipped out some iron-on heavy duty hem tape…

Cork Vase Fabric Pic2

… which instantly added those polished looking hems that we were going for.

Cork Vase Fabric Pic3

When it came time to apply the fabric around the vase to cleanly cover the cork we knew that a tight fit was the only way to go (something loose or baggy would have looked messy and weird). So we used duct tape to hold the soon-to-be-hidden edge of the fabric in place so we could pull the other side around for a nice and tight look. We hemmed the other side of the fabric so it would have a finished edge when it overlapped the duct tape (completely hiding it for a snug fit and a professional looking result).

Cork Vase Fabric Pic4

We debated using a glue gun to adhere the hemmed side of the fabric (the one that hides the duct tape) but couldn’t find any glue sticks so I quickly stitched the hemmed flap over the other side of fabric to create a tight fit that would really hold up over time. The seam landed right in the middle of the back of the vase, and thanks to some white heavy duty thread it looked nice and clean back there:

Cork Vase Back Seam

And of course the front looked even more seamless:

Cork Vase Fabric After00

Fun right? The whole project only ran us around $5 for the cork since we already had the vases and the fabric (scored for cheap at U-Fab here in Richmond for Clara’s weekly photo project).

Cork Vases Boxes After0

We love that we can use our DIY cork vases to house everything from magazines and paint decks to plants and pens in our multifunctional home office/guest bedroom/playroom.

Cork Vases Boxes Fabric Aft

And the fact that they help us remember all of our appointments is the icing on the cake.

Have any of you guys worked with a roll of cork or the same pre-cut cork squares to DIY something fun in your house? Do tell. And do you have any quotes that keep you going or make you smile? We pinned one of our favorites up: “Do what you love. Love what you do.” So share those cork projects and inspirational quotes!

Psst- Looking for another fun cork project? Check this out.

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Filed Under: Crafting & Art, Our First House

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Comments

  1. Avatar for NicoleNicole says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    Love it! What a great way to make a vase do double duty. I’m using the same fabric for some curtains in the guest room.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Cheri (I Heart Old Houses)Cheri (I Heart Old Houses) says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    So much prettier than a plain ol’ bulletin board! Any chance that you guys remember the name of that awesome fabric? I might need to add it to my stash.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 12:25 pm

      Here’s the fabric info: http://www.tonicliving.com/productsDetails.asp?categoryid=26&productid=1185&currentpage=1&onsale=0

      It’s Sweet William in “teal” – hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  3. Avatar for Jessica @ How SweetJessica @ How Sweet says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:25 pm

    I would have never, ever ever thought of this! Brilliant!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for JannaJanna says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I love this!!! Thanks for this awesome idea! I happen to have 4 cork wall tiles I took down but didn’t know what to do with them – I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for katekate says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Excellent! I have some cork tiles and a vase just laying around the house…I know what I’m doing this weekend! :)

    Reply
  6. Avatar for kyleykyley says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I have this slight obsession with cork/memo boards. I have them all over my house. I have a MASSIVE one in my living room which I put anything from vintage botanical prints to family photos on. Then my husband and I each have one in the office, and I just finished making one to hold spare keys by the front door.

    I love this idea, and seeing as how I just got a slew of tiny cardboard boxes in a shipment, I’m going to use them. I bet I could use wrapping paper too – although fabric would be the best.

    When I make my memo boards I actually use foam board behind my fabric. It’s cheaper and seems to work just fine with taking pins and tacks, I haven’t had any problems with it.

    here’s a photo of one of the memo boards I made for my living room: http://studio3framing.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/dsc02981.jpg

    thanks for the inspiration as always!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Amy WolffAmy Wolff says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    Love the idea!!!!! and LOVE the fabric choice!!!

    Are they the same cork boards that you used in the kitchen- on the door to hang recipes and such?

    THANKS!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 12:36 pm

      Hey Amy,

      Yup, they’re the same brand of cork boards (scored in a set of four at Target) but we didn’t reuse the ones from the kitchen since we love them and would never take them down! So we picked up a second set of four for this project. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  8. Avatar for Carly S.Carly S. says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    I used those cork squares to create a cork board wall pattern in my room when I was in high school, we alternated the squares making a checkerboard pattern. After the squares were secure on the wall I decorated them with pictures, notes, etc.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for ChristineChristine says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    I LOOOVE that fabric. Such a great idea to add some pretty pattern to a room too. Pretty AND functional!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for AlisonAlison says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    This is amazing, love it, love it, love it!

    On a side note- I see Pat the Bunny on the shelf, such a classic!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Sara RSara R says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Super cute and easy! This would be perfect for a pen holder on a desk…I think I know what I am doing this weekend! ; )

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Bethany SBethany S says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:43 pm

    What’s the name of the fabric underneith (that you’re ironing on?) With the red and teal flowers? LOVE IT! It’s probably just your ironing board! :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm

      Yup, that’s just our ironing board (which was a gift from a friend). Don’t know that fabric off the top of our heads though, sorry!

      xo,
      s

  13. Avatar for Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}dAmanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    The vases look great! It’s such a great idea, and so versitile. I wish I would have thought to cover my magazine file in fabric, rather than painting it: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/08/12/craft-day/

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Amanda@The Hand Me Down House[email protected] Hand Me Down House says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    What a fantastic idea!!! I love how you guys are always incorporating functional yet adorable things into your home — it’s the perfect combination! :) I’m so excited to try this out in my house — oddly enough I just bought those cork squares at Target for the inside of a cabinet, and I have lots left over. Love it!!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for MarissaMarissa says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    AWESOME! I LOVE this idea!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Mrs.BuckMrs.Buck says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    This is such an amazing idea, I love it! – defs bookmarking this for a future crafting idea! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for KristenKristen says

    August 12, 2010 at 12:57 pm

    I love this idea! They look great! I might need to make one for my desk at work, it would definitely spruce up my cube! :)

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Marisa @ vinyasa mamaMarisa @ vinyasa mama says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:01 pm

    Great ideas as always! i have a few of those cork tiles and was going to throw them out – but now i’ve found a use for them! Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for candace @ thecandace.comcandace @ thecandace.com says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:02 pm

    Such a cute little DIY project – thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for onepianomomonepianomom says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:10 pm

    What did you do with the edges on the bottom of the vase?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 1:11 pm

      They could have been hemmed the same way the top edge was (with hem tape) but we opted to keep them a bit long and raw and then tucked them under the vase, using a bit more duct tape to fold them (like you would wrap a present). Worked like a charm. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  21. Avatar for liz @ bon temps beignetliz @ bon temps beignet says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:12 pm

    love this! Ever since I sent you the email last week with the link to the cork lampshade and glass bottle lamp, I’ve been on the hunt for some thin cork to wrap around our drum lamp shade. This stuff might work!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 1:13 pm

      Hey Liz,

      They also sell thin rolls of cork at places like Target and even Home Depot (in the shelf-lining area). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  22. Avatar for kelli s.kelli s. says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    you can buy an 8 pack of those cork tiles at BJ’s wholesale, for only $6.50 :) I used them for a map project in my office

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 1:28 pm

      Thanks for the tip Kelli!

      xo,
      s

  23. Avatar for SusanSusan says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:29 pm

    These are great ideas! I have my project for the weekend. I saw you guys on myhomeideas.com and have enjoyed looking through your posts.

    Reply
  24. Avatar for hi-dhi-d says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Another great idea!!! Thanks for sharing.

    I posted this quote on my facebook wall yesterday…it’s so funny: “A good wife always forgives her husband when she’s wrong.” (Milton Berle)

    Reply
  25. Avatar for AshleyAshley says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    Cute! <3

    Reply
  26. Avatar for KarenKaren says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    That’s it. We’re going to Target. (As if I ever really need an excuse to go to Target) You just gave me a great idea for our ‘new’ home office in our kitchen. TY!!!!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for PattiPatti says

    August 12, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    I bought a roll of cork to cover the top of a small end table for my den but never used it. Now I think I’ll try doing some sort of variation on this theme.

    I love words and I love quotes, here’s one I’ve had on the fridge forever: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do” (Eleanor Roosevelt). It spoke to me because I’m a scaredy cat most of the time :)

    Reply
  28. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    Ingenious! I’m definitely going to do this with my sewing extras!

    I have to share my favorite quote:

    “I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, ‘If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.'”
    Kurt Vonnegut said so many things so perfectly, in my opinion.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}dAmanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    To Liz @ Bon Temps Beignet, You can get rolls (rather than tiles) of cork at Michael’s.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for AlisonAlison says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    [email protected]
    I recently saw a roll of cork made to stick like contact paper. At Home Depot made by Contact Paper. I bet it would be easier to wrap around your drum shade.

    Reply
  31. Avatar for DD says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    I love this idea! Unfortunately, I’m lazy and I’d end up forgetting the post-its and ‘reminders’ would get left there for years haha.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for ElizabethElizabeth says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    What a brilliant idea!! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ~ Elizabeth
    http://www.to-be-charmed.com

    Reply
  33. Avatar for MandyMandy says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    This is such crazy perfect timing – I just got 5 feet of cork to do a project but will have plenty left over (it was cheaper than what you got at Target) and now I have the perfect thing to do with my leftover fabric from pillows, leftover cork, and leftover vases from our wedding last year. Can’t wait to make these!!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for Jocelyn StottJocelyn Stott says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Looks great!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for Kasey @Thrifty Little BlogKasey @Thrifty Little Blog says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    What a cute idea! …and I love the fabric, I actually just bought some to make a pillow with a couple of weeks ago :).

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Lesley HLesley H says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    LOVE this! I’ve been waiting all week since your little teaser. So fun and versatile! Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply
  37. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    August 12, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    What a cool idea! I can’t wait to try this project for my office. Much cuter than a cork board on the wall, although covering one of those with fabric would be cute too!

    I’m an artist. Here’s a couple quotes about work that I like:

    “Whatever you are, be a good one.” -Abe Lincoln

    “Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.” -Robert Motherwell (one of my favorite artists)

    Reply
  38. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Love the cork vases idea. What a neat way to practically and purposefully spruce up an office space. I love all things multifunctional.

    Here’s an idea that I used and changed off of another one of your cork posts: paint the inside cabinet door of your pantry using chalkboard paint. That is where we now write our as-it-runs-out grocery list.

    Reply
  39. Avatar for StaceyStacey says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    What a clever idea! I’ve been thinking of putting up cork tiles on a narrow wall in my kitchen so I could easily display my kids’ artwork, school notices, even family pics. By covering the squares w/ different fabrics, I’ll get some much needed color and pattern in that room…and it will be cheap to change them up when the mood strikes! Brilliant!

    As for fave quotes, I have a few…
    Whatever you are be a good one. ~Abraham Lincoln
    Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. ~John Lennon

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    super cute and super easy! Love it!

    http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

    Reply
  41. Avatar for TiffanyTiffany says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    such a creative idea! I will have to make it for my desk!

    XOXO,

    http://outfitidentifier.com/

    Reply
  42. Avatar for Emily @ The Happy HomeEmily @ The Happy Home says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    so cute! are you guys psychic? because i’m re-doing my office nook soon and this will be perfect!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for AnnaAnna says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    95% sure that those cork tiles were purchased from Office Depot. Foray is a private brand of theirs. Could be my mistake. I work at the Depot and I could be delirious from back to school fever.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 3:38 pm

      Hey Anna,

      Actually a lot of places sell that brand- we’ve seen them at Target, Home Depot, and even Office Max. So strange that it’s a private label brand for HD, but anything’s possible. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  44. Avatar for stylefylesstylefyles says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    simple, yet clever. I LOVE this!

    Reply
  45. Avatar for NiconeNicone says

    August 12, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    I love the way you do things that are so simple and flexible – and the results are always very charming. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for VictoriaVictoria says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    What a great idea!!! Such a pretty detail for any room… Beautiful, as always :)

    Reply
  47. Avatar for MizdenMizden says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    Hello Sherry and John!

    I recently found your blog (like last week) and since I like to be organized (as much as I can) I started in the “About” section and ended up at your wedding, house touring and magazine adventures, the links are such a help, you get all the details and yes I think the way you write gives that plus to your blog, I love being specific about things, so I really appreciate when someone else takes the time to do it as well.

    Your blog is amazing, I never though you could do soooo many things by yourself at home like converting a night table into a bathroom sink, well the brilliant mind for that in my family is definitely my mom, it’s such a shame she cannot read this (we are from Mexico, she doesn’t speak/read English) but she would totally love your blog even more than I do, she is one of those persons (like you guys) that see a whole project when I just see a bunch of rocks or just a glass vase or sand… she designed and made all by herself the invitations for my uncle’s wedding they had so many details that I don’t know how she does it, she loves doing center pieces (or arrangements I don’t know how they are call in English) for the weddings (I think she already made for at least 3 different weddings) and did all that for my sweet 15 (Yes in Mexico we make BIG parties for 15 year old girls) but I think she hasn’t pass the adventures of creating and renovating to more complicated things like an entire room because she doesn’t have many ideas of the “How”, but well I hope she likes the ideas that you kindly share.

    I must ask something that keeps coming to my mind and I really wouldn’t expect an answer for that one, just a comment, How do you protect your home?, you welcome everyone to your home each day thru this blog, we can see pretty much everything, I hope you have a super security system in there hidden, I’m not trying to be negative and I’m not trying to plant some fear either, but since for us right now insecurity is a reality, we have been taught to not trust anyone and that any plus info you give, can be potentially use against you by strangers, so my point is, you should really think about safety, you open your home to anyone who can use a computer and of course I’m not assuming that someone could be just reading to do something bad, but it is always a possibility that you might want to consider. My mom always says that it is better to prevent than regret!

    I hope you guys have a fantastic day and btw, Clara is adorable!!, think that one photo per week is a great idea! Maybe some day when I’m older and have children I’ll use it too and I hope I didn’t creep you out…..totally not the idea! But the opposite!

    Hasta pronto!

    Mizden

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 4:21 pm

      Hey Mizden,

      Thanks for the sweet note! So glad you found our blog. Here’s a post all about how we protect our beloved home: https://www.younghouselove.com/safe-house/

      Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for BlairBlair says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Cute project! I’m interested, though. Did you consider using a few pins/tacks to secure the fabric in the back? Or do you think that would not work as well?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 12, 2010 at 4:23 pm

      Hey Blair,

      We actually tried that but they popped right out. In order to get a tight fit the fabric really has to be held tight, and the pins weren’t strong enough for the job. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for AlisonAlison says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    I love that idea. Those are so perfect for a home office area.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for AnnieAnnie says

    August 12, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    I love this idea and was even more excited to see which fabric you were using – I just ordered a swatch of that same fabric from tonic living to make the upholstered headboard from your site! How fun! I’m really hoping it matches the green curtains we have – I just love that fabric. Your site is so much fun – thanks for sharing all of your wonderful tips!

    Reply
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