Fabric as Art

Published July 20, 2012

It’s not a new idea, but it’s a good one.

Fabric patterns have come a long way. The styles and choices now are varied and quite beautiful and definitely suited to pose as art on a well-chosen wall.

Every time I visit a fabric store I am always inspired to redecorate or at least do a little something in one of my kid’s rooms.

The next time you find yourself in a fabric store and stumble across a “must-have” fabric, purchase at least a meter of it because you now have an idea for its use.

Craft stores sell all sizes and shapes of canvas art stretchers. Ranging in price from $5- $100, some are unfinished and others are completely assembled. These stretchers are generally used for artists however; they also make fabulous frames for fabric.

Materials

• Canvas Stretcher (with or without canvas attached)
• Staple Gun
• Glue Gun
• Finishing nails and hammer
• Sharp Scissors

If you purchased an unassembled canvas you will need to assemble it beforehand.

Cut your fabric so that it has a one to two-inch seam around the edge of the entire canvas frame.

Carefully fold over the fabric by a one-half inch seam and staple the folded edge onto the underside of the canvas stretcher. Work on opposite sides first to avoid any pulling of the fabric.

Neatly fold and staple the corners of the fabric. Glue any edges with the glue gun.

If you are working with a pattern, be sure to center it and straighten any parallel or horizontal lines before stapling the fabric to the frame.

As an added effect, batting may be purchased from a fabric store and applied first to the canvas for more of a soft, padded look. The fabric is then stapled on top of the batting.

Using your hammer and finishing nail, carefully hand the canvas on the wall.

Experiment with smaller canvases and medium size ones. Smaller canvas’ look fantastic arranged in a pattern on the wall in groups of three or five and don’t be afraid of using the oversized canvas stretchers. With the right fabric, you will be amazed how it looks like a real work of art! And it is!