Inter-Changeable Fabric Stacked Server That Comes Apart!

I needed a cheerful, inventive tall Server for my Spring and Summer parties.  This version is three tiers.

It also needs to come apart to use in different configurations (small & tall!) and so that it can be cleaned easily.  So I invented one!!  This version is two tiers.

It is made out of old white dishes, a recycled shirt, some tin cans, and a couple of secret TRICKS!  Which of course I’ll share with you!  Can you believe it?  This version is one tier.

Wouldn’t this be perfect for a party, event, wedding, or shower?

To make this work optimally, you’ll need to apply the tricks!!!  So please don’t skip them, read them all!

One of great things about this project is that the covered cans can be changed up to fit the occasion by using different fabric any time you want!

 

AND….the whole server comes apart for washing!  How?  Well, you’ll see below as the instructions unfold.  The center is also weighted so that the Server is more stable.

So first off:  Use 3 recycled cans—wash them thoroughly and remove the label.  Mine are dog food cans.  They measure 4″ tall and 3″ in diameter.  You can use any size you like.

Next, find a set of dishes (these were my old white ones).  You’ll need a large dinner plate, a bowl (or if you prefer, a salad plate), and a cup and saucer.  If you don’t have dishes for this project, thrift stores, Dollar Stores, and tag sales are filled with them at very cheap prices.

Now choose fabric you like.  This fabric is from an old shirt of mine that was scheduled to be donated.  I’ve got my eye on a couple of the Hubby’s striped shirts which will look very cute (in a more tailored way), too!  Recycling is a good thing!!

Trick #1:  Purchase a bag of Quikrete very inexpensively from Home Depot or Lowes—-and don’t worry if you have to purchase the smallest bag (60lbs) for a couple of dollars, we’re going to be doing all sorts of Quikrete crafts this Spring and Summer!

In a disposable container, pour in about a cup of Quikrete (I mix the amount for each can separately so I don’t have waste).

Mix in a small amount of water and stir with a disposable stick until it is mixed.  (Use the least amount of water you can so that drying time is minimized).  DO NOT RINSE ANY QUICK CRETE DOWN YOUR DRAIN!

If there are any drips on the outside of the can, clean them up immediately with a paper towel and throw it in the garbage.  Let each Quikrete filled can dry completely (it takes about 24 hours because of the depth of the cans).

 

Lay one of your dry Quikrete filled cans on your fabric and measure out enough to go around the perimeter with a tiny overlap, and about an inch extra on BOTH top and bottom.

Soak your cut piece of fabric in white glue or Mod Podge if you have that, and apply it to the can.  Leave at least 1-1/2″ in the center of the can free of fabric (you’ll see why on Trick #3).

Let it dry.

Trick #2:  Apply at least two coats of my very favorite hard (glossy this time) sealer Ceracoat Exterior/Interior Varnish–Gloss, letting it dry between coats.  This will give your fabric covered cans a nice hard finish which will wipe clean (it’s so good that I even used the matte version as the sealer on my kitchen cabinets when I redid them).

Now for trick #3:  Purchase flexible magnetic sheet, which you can cut with scissors in a circle slightly smaller than the diameter of the can.

Attach the cut magnet (if you get the self adhesive kind, peel and stick— if you need to glue, use Gorilla glue and attach to the center right-side

and center bottom-side of the bottom plate ONLY.

Then to the right-side of the bowl (or salad plate), and saucer.  Don’t put a magnet on the cup (it will be held on by trick #4).

The magnets hold the cans to the dishes because–scientifically, tin cans have steel in them and magnets stick to steel (and some other metals)!  Isn’t science fun when it applies party decor?!

Now you can make your Server as short

or tall as you like, any time at all, because your Stacked Server comes apart.

Note:  When the Stacked Server is more than one dish tall, the bottom dish always needs a top and bottom magnet so you’ll need to cut the same circular magnet for bottom of that dish, and attach it.

HOWEVER, If you stack only one dish, you do not need to do this.  Example:  Can + Plate,  or  Can + cup and saucer (use trick #4 for cup and saucer).

Now for trick #4:  Use Elmer’s Tac N Stik Reusable Adhesive (white) to connect the tops of the cans to the dishes for a temporary hold to the top side—–and it’s reusable!  And because most plates have a little rim at the bottom of them, the white tac doesn’t show!

Now for trick #5:  You can change up the look of your Stacked Server simply by adding different fabric covered cans!!  Yipee!

To put the Stacked Server together:  Place the first can upside down, then place the dinner plate on top of it (they are stuck together by the magnet)

place another can right-side up on the dinner plate’s magnet on the top rim of that can place white tac all around.

Next, place the bowl (or salad plate).  Because most dishes have rims at the bottom of them, the white tac doesn’t show!  Continue in this manner until you get to the top cup and saucer and white tac them together.

Fill your Inter-Changeable Fabric Stacked Server with goodies and enjoy!!

I can do that!  And you can, too!