Take A Boring Thrifted Mirror To The Next Level With Some Weaving Inspiration

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Next time you're browsing through your local thrift store, you may come across at least one discarded mirror mixed amongst the piles of art and various bric-a-brac for sale there. Unlike thrifted picture frames or wall art, sometimes mirrors can take a little longer to reveal their creative potential. Yet if you want a dreamy, romantic accent, you only need to upcycle an old mirror with a quick DIY by creating a woven pattern with ribbon featuring velvet or another material. You also need glue, scissors, and cotton batting. The resulting piece can be the crowning glory of any space that leans towards cottagecore or bohemian chic.

Velvet is a timeless fabric, and is synonymous with elegance. Creating woven décor adds dimension and visual interest to a piece, especially if you combine complementary shades in your finished work. You do both with this repurposed mirror, plus add texture to your room. Once you're done, add a few whimsical elements using craft staples to create a one-a-kind piece that reflects your style. 

First, you need some ribbon. A sweet pink such as Toniful pink velvet ribbon mixed with a darker shade of pink or red is a winning combination, especially if you like to evoke a sentimental aesthetic. Take your cotton batting, such as Tatuo 59-inch polyester batting, then cover the mirror's frame completely with it. Next, lay your ribbon strips vertically on the frame, alternating colors, then add horizontal ribbons underneath the vertical ones, creating a woven pattern. Glue all of the ribbons' ends down and admire your handiwork.

The original Instagram poster, @genevavanderzeil, removed the mirror from the frame to make this project easier, and you can as well (if possible). She also made her own ribbons out of fabric pieces, stitching them together once cut to size. This upcycling project is ideal for a wooden mirror, since it's easier for the cotton batting to adhere to wood than to a plastic frame. You could accomplish this look with a picture frame as well, though a large mirror certainly makes a dramatic statement. Just ensure you have enough ribbon to completely cover the frame's edges for a clean look. You should avoid hanging it in your bathroom since moisture may degrade or damage velvet. However, it can be a great piece for a foyer or living room, or even hung as a bedroom's statement headboard.

The color combination possibilities are endless with this DIY. Try green and gold for a classic look that captures Hollywood glam, or usher in a beachy vibe by layering shades of blue to evoke the waves of the ocean. Other color combinations could be a deep purple and silver, yellow and peach, and an off-white with beige. Customizing the ribbons themselves is also an option, and this choice can add more character. Why not affix small pearl beads to the fabric? Using a hot glue gun, you could dot the velvet with small Macioze craft pearls, perhaps setting one in each corner or bordering the edges of the ribbon. Pinning a thrifted broach at the bottom or top can also be a way to repurpose random pieces of jewelry you may have thrifted or inherited. 

If you don't want to use velvet ribbons, the layered, woven effect is just as interesting with a mixture of patterned ribbons interwoven with solid color strips. You can also embrace a more fun look, and craft one as an ingenious update for a child's playroom or bedroom. Have a roll of ribbon left from a previous gift or project? Imagine crafting this mirror in fun motifs, such as ribbons featuring superheroes, dinosaurs, sharks, or fantasy creatures. If you go this route, you could even glue on small figurines to accent it a bit more.