Party Clothes for Tables

Ribbon Plate

Any clear glass plate with a smooth underside is a candidate for this treatment, which is basically a decoupage technique done with ribbons instead of paper.

Get a plaid effect without weaving.

• Clear glass plate, any size
• 8 sheer ribbons in several widths and colors (see Step 3 for lengths needed)
• Delta PermEnamel Surface Conditioner
• Silver paint for glassware, such as Delta PermEnamel (available at crafts stores)
• Scissors
• 1/2-inch paintbrush

1. Wash the plate in hot water, then clean the underside with Delta PermEnamel Surface Conditioner. Allow to dry.

2. Paint a silver border on the underside of the plate. Brush two coats of silver paint around the outside edge to make a border. Allow the paint to dry after each coat.

3. Plan ribbon placement. Place four ribbons in each direction -- horizontal and vertical -- under the plate, and cut each ribbon slightly longer than the width of the plate at the point where that ribbon will lie. Set the ribbons aside near work surface.

4. Affix ribbons to plate. Brush decoupage medium on the underside of the plate, in an area slightly wider than the first horizontal ribbon. Apply another coat of medium over the ribbon and lay ribbon in place, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go. Trim the ends of the ribbon slightly, inside the edge of the plate, while still wet. Repeat for the remaining horizontal ribbons, then for vertical ribbons. Allow to dry.

5. Paint another coat of silver on the edge of the underside of the plate, to cover the cut ribbon ends.

• When setting the cut ribbons aside, line them up in desired order.
• To simplify keeping the ribbons aligned, place the glass plate on a cutting mat that is covered with waxed paper, and use the printed grid lines as a guide.