Fabric is needed for a home decor project, but the right size, shape, or color simply can’t be found. Or even worse, the right fabric is finally found and the price is way out of budget.
Over the years, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard this headache.
But today is a new day and there’s a new way to deal —starting with a $50 giveaway!
Let me explain.
3 Ways to Decorate with Stencilled Fabric
1. Custom Artwork
Can you believe that this rather large piece of artwork was made from upcycled items and leftover latex paint? The pattern was easily stencilled by shadow painting a Moroccan-style stencil. We love that the entire piece (including the frame) was able to be custom-sized and custom-colored to fit the space. Click here to learn how you can easily make this artwork to fit your space.
This post is sponsored by Cutting Edge Stencils, but all projects and opinions are 100% my own.
2. Custom Window Treatment
Although my laundry room faces West and gets a boatload of natural light, I really didn’t want a heavy fabric topping the blinds and blocking any of this glorious light. My vision for the space was a very light and airy fabric with just a simple pop of color.
The problem was, I could not find the right fabric anywhere. But what I did finally find was a fabric with colors that I simply adored. From here, my vision for the space was easily created.
How to Make This Stencilled Fabric
Paint
For this particular project, I bought four colors of plain old craft paint (about $0.79 each) and mixed them together to get the colors I really wanted.
Fabric Medium
And no, I did not add a fabric medium because I wasn’t concerned about stiffness in the fabric created by the paint. In fact, I wanted the stiffness. If the fabric needed to be softer, say if it was touching the skin, then a fabric medium would have been mixed in.
Brush
For this project, I used a #6 stencil brush to pounce the paint. A foam brush would also work. The key is to make sure that the brush holds a very, very light amount of paint that can be applied by gently pouncing, not stroking. A small foam roller would also work.
Fabric
The fabric choice was, like the artwork (above), an upcycled drapery liner. It is a thick, high-quality liner that is upcycled, but perfectly clean, thus making the choice a no-brainer.
Plastic from a roll (located in the paint section of the home improvement store) was taped to the floor and the drapery liner (slick side up) was then secured to the plastic.
But notice all of the wrinkles on the liner?
In order to make the fabric lay flat, I clipped the selvage about every inch on both sides of the liner. This released the pressure so that the wrinkles relaxed.
Note, too, that the selvage could also be trimmed away in order to get the fabric to lay flat. Doing this would easily work for this fabric since there is little concern for raveling.
And if a bit of paint leaks, just let the paint dry and then touch it with an artist’s brush in the appropriate color. In this case, I used the green paint to cover a red leak.
Ooooopsie. 🙂
Repeat this pattern over and over until the entire piece of fabric has been stencilled.
When the paint is dry, stitch up all four sides of the fabric using a simple straight-stitch seam and hang on a rod with clip rings.
And then stand back and let the sun. shine. in.
3. Custom Cushion and Pillow Covers
Luckily, I was able to use the leftover fabric to cover a cushion for a chair in the sunroom. And to be honest, I like it so much, I plan to make more fabric to cover the rest of the cushions.
And I probably won’t use any fabric medium on the rest of the cushions either. I compared the stiffness of the fabric to some outdoor fabric that I had and the outdoor fabric was much stiffer. So I think I will give it a try with just the craft paint.
Pillow Cover Kits
But just in case painting yardage isn’t your gig, pre-sewn pillow cover kits are also available in custom colors.
As an example, my bloggy friend, Sue at Housekaboodle, just wrote a post about how to use one of these kits to make a custom blue and gray pillow cover. It features birds circling a bird cage. Click here to see the complete post.
Another bloggy friend, Micki from Our Crafty Mom, just posted her pillow project, too. She also used blue and gray to create a damask cover. Click here to see the complete post.
Love how you customized the fabric to match your decor. This pattern is great. One of my favorite stencils is the Indian Inlay set. There are so many great ones to choose from.
ReplytheChelseaProjectJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:05 pm
Thanks Heather! I totally agree. I would like one of each, please. 🙂
Such a clever idea, Susie. Just checked out Cutting Edge’s site, and the Otomi craft stencil is very similar to some over priced fabric I’ve been eyeing for my daughter. And I also loved the Sarah Trellis Allover stencil, which would be perfect for our guest bedroom, which is lacking a headboard 😀 Oh gosh … now I’m obesessing about it … thanks??! Seriously, take care, Cynthia
ReplytheChelseaProjectJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Thanks Cynthia! I am so curious, I’m hopping over to the CE website to see which ones you chose. I might need to try them, too. Good luck!
Wonderful idea! Outdoor fabric is so expensive, and our Florida sun fades it so fast. This opens up so many options for out door furniture. Thank you for sharing
ReplytheChelseaProjectJanuary 24, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Thanks so much! And yes, I’m right now in my sunroom planning out the Spring and Summer colors. Since it is so inexpensive, I may be able to make new covers every year.
You inspire me to the max how you stenciled the linens and did it 3 ways. You always go beyond the expected. The pattern is so fun and the colors you picked out look perfect.
ReplytheChelseaProjectJanuary 24, 2017 at 11:59 am
Thanks Sue! Your encouraging words are always such a lift to my little creative spirit.
Oooh, I really like the stencil and colors you used – so pretty! They look great in all three applications and I like how the pattern pairs so well with many others.
ReplyCristina@remodelandolacasaFebruary 8, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Susie, this is such a pretty project! I love the stencil and the colors you used. I gotta give stenciling a new try. <3
Thanks Christina! I am convinced that stencils are one of the most under utilized DIY home decor tools. I have ideas for more projects. Fingers-crossed they come out as planned. I’ll surely let yo know.
24 Comments
Love it Susie! The pattern is beautiful. What a fun project. I’m going to have to give stenciling linen a whirl next.
Thanks Carolann. It’s super fun!
WILD BERRY DAMASK DIY ACCENT PILLOW STENCIL KIT. I like this one but truly there are too many to choose from that I like!
Thanks Jill! I know exactly what you mean. I would like to try every single one!
These curtains turned out so lovely!! Great job!
Thanks Micki! They added just the right amount of pop! 🙂
Love how you customized the fabric to match your decor. This pattern is great. One of my favorite stencils is the Indian Inlay set. There are so many great ones to choose from.
Thanks Heather! I totally agree. I would like one of each, please. 🙂
I love that stencil and the colors work beautifully. I would not have been able to combine them myself, no courage, but they are perfect!
Thanks Toni! You are one of the bravest and smartest women I know! I totally believe in you!
Such a clever idea, Susie. Just checked out Cutting Edge’s site, and the Otomi craft stencil is very similar to some over priced fabric I’ve been eyeing for my daughter. And I also loved the Sarah Trellis Allover stencil, which would be perfect for our guest bedroom, which is lacking a headboard 😀 Oh gosh … now I’m obesessing about it … thanks??! Seriously, take care, Cynthia
Thanks Cynthia! I am so curious, I’m hopping over to the CE website to see which ones you chose. I might need to try them, too. Good luck!
Wonderful idea! Outdoor fabric is so expensive, and our Florida sun fades it so fast. This opens up so many options for out door furniture. Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much! And yes, I’m right now in my sunroom planning out the Spring and Summer colors. Since it is so inexpensive, I may be able to make new covers every year.
You inspire me to the max how you stenciled the linens and did it 3 ways. You always go beyond the expected. The pattern is so fun and the colors you picked out look perfect.
Thanks Sue! Your encouraging words are always such a lift to my little creative spirit.
Thanks for a great giveaway and the awesome tips for how to on fabric. I’m now craving anna damask all over stencil so my fingers are crossed.
Thanks Anj! Good luck! That damask sounds devine!
Susie this turned out so pretty. I love the light and airy feel you have created with the fabric and the sencil. All three projects are perfect!!!
everything looks so bright and fresh! I love the Anna Damask stencil. Your work is gorgeous, love the colors.
Oooh, I really like the stencil and colors you used – so pretty! They look great in all three applications and I like how the pattern pairs so well with many others.
Susie, this is such a pretty project! I love the stencil and the colors you used. I gotta give stenciling a new try. <3
Thanks Christina! I am convinced that stencils are one of the most under utilized DIY home decor tools. I have ideas for more projects. Fingers-crossed they come out as planned. I’ll surely let yo know.
[…] from The Chelsea Project recently shared how difficult it was to find cushions she loved. That’s when she chose to DIY […]