How to Make Old World Mirrors

Give your household mirror an Old World look with just fabric and plastic foam. Follow these step-by-step instructions.

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Filed under: Mirrors, Traditional, How To, Decorating, Design Style

Old World mirrors like this are easy to create. See the instructions below for details.

Materials:

1" plastic foam
magic marker
plate or other oval object to trace for pattern (if round or oval frame is desired)
steak knife
low-melt glue (regular-strength hot glue will melt foam)
corrugated nails
quilt batting
craft knife
putty knife
fabric cording
mirror

Optional Materials:

furniture stripper
steel wool
decorating cording

Steps:

Draw a pattern for the frame onto plastic foam. Trace an oval (or circular) shaped item shape (such as a plate) if an oval or circular mirror is desired.

Figure A

Score plastic foam with steak knife (figure A) and break over the edge of a table to cut out the pattern.

Figure B

Rub pieces of plastic foam together to sand the rough edges where it was cut (figure B).

Figure C

Glue two halves of the plastic foam together and support the seams with corrugated nails (figure C).

Draw a line about 1/4-inch into the foam from the center, and another line about 1/4-inch from the surface along the inside of the frame.

Figure D

Cut out the area between the two lines (figure D), making a small lip along the interior of the frame where the mirror will rest. Sand rough edges with another piece of foam.

Cut frame pattern out of quilt batting with a craft knife. Lay batting on top of the frame.

Figure E

Lay fabric on top of the plastic foam (figure E). Cut small lines along the inside of the fabric so that it will fold down into the center easily.