DIY - A FRAMED FABRIC FOCAL POINT

If you're like me and don't sew (YET) and you have collected so many pretty printed fabrics you'd like to share - why not frame them? My friend Jose shared several sample fabrics with me from his studio. He said, "take what you want" and so I did. I had displayed a color blocked stack on lucite in the office and then I finally put some of them to use. I simply used the fabric samples I had, cut to fit existing frames, spray painted card stock for each (reusing backsides of an old calender), and framed the fabric showing both front and back patterns to create a new focal point in my refreshed dining space for Spring.

I measured & cut rectangles of the pattern I liked...

from the pile of free fabric samples I had...

to make a new focal point in our refreshed dining space for Spring.

The rectangles weren't going to be large enough for the existing matt, so I thought I would use some placematts...

I was going to spray them gold - but the placematt and the fabric would have been too thick together. I needed something thinner - so after cutting the pieces, I went to hunt for an old calendar I thought might work.

Other tools you'll need: A straight edge, a utility knife, an Xacto blade,

foam tape squares and some good old duck tape.

My old NYC calendar - still keeping some pics to frame...

The calendar paper would work - it was too large, but

that would give fresh clean cuts after painting...

The fabric was just a smidgen too small,

but the gold painted card stock would solve that...

I used drop cloths in the driveway on a sunny day

to do a quickie spray paint ...

After spray painting the card stock (or you could use poster board) I cut it to fit on the matt - it also added a layer to the framing. I choose gold to pair it with silver frames to show a more modern metal mix in my refreshed space.

Before lining up the matts in a row on the floor, I numbered their backs

and the backing of the frame they matched.

I frequently use the kitchen floor to lay out projects on...

Kitchen floors make great working space for projects:

It's an open area with good light.

I had spray mount backs of card stock out in the garage

(TIP: lay on newspaper to avoid sticky over spray on your garage floor).

Lay the cut fabric onto your layered matt and

place foam tape squares to their corners to attach & secure fabric.



When I was ready to put matts back in, I cleaned each one and checked for any "Sephora" hairs before sealing their backs with the duck tape.

Gotta love her! =)

I used the Xacto (or use a utility knife) for clean cuts of the tape.

Flipped to double check the arrangement and made notes

of measurements for mounting them to the wall.

I used a yard stick and a level to line up my holes & make a grid.

I added double face tape on the back corners to ensure they'd stay straight!

I finished the look of the mixed metals in a dining room with some thrifted brass pieces.  To make smaller brass taper holders more substantial, set into glass hurricanes. I added green moss (found on clearance at West Elm after holiday) to layer in shades of green for spring. The two brass wall sconces (also thrifted @ $8 for the pair) relate to the gold detail in the frame and flank the new focal point.

While thrifting this weekend, I found some round frames I want to paint and put to surround the sconce back and make it larger - it gets lost in the ferns =)

The trellis-like pattern helped give an outdoor garden setting to the space for Spring.

Still want to paint the table black.

Over the weekend, I met up with Jose, and he gave me some sewing lessons and helped me to make a slip cover I had been wanting to make for our black leather bench. More about that coming up shortly - so stay tuned!

Happy Spring!

SPECIAL THANKS TO :

CENTSATIONAL GIRL

THE STORIES OF A to Z

TIP JUNKIE

for graciously featuring this project on their blog!

LINKED POST TO:

The Lettered Cottage - How To Party

Beneath My Heart - March DIY Projects

Centsational Girl - Spring Projects Link Party

The Stories Of A to Z - Tuesday Tips & Tutorials

Tidy Mom - I'm Lovin' It Fridays

504 Main - Tickled Pink 45 Friday

Thrifty Decor Chick - Before & After Party

The Frugal Girls - Chic & Crafty Party