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Fabric wall coverings are a great alternative to wallpaper. They are easy to remove and do not damage walls, making them perfect for renters, college students, or those who just find it hard to commit. Imagine the possibilities... and they are not limited to the walls. Use this technique to dress up other surfaces, such as bulletin boards, headboards, storage boxes, trunks, chairs, or create your own decals!
Supplies:
Fabric Starch
Lightweight fabric in a pattern you love
Sponge or paint roller
Pan
Instructions for starching fabric on walls:
1. Measure the height of your walls. Cut fabric in sections to fit wall, adding a couple extra inches. If fabric has a design, match the design before cutting the next panel in the same way you would wallpaper.
2. Pour liquid starch into a paint tray or shallow pan.
3. Make sure wall surface is clean. Starting with the top half of the wall, apply liquid starch evenly to wall using a roller.
4. Apply fabric to top of wall, smoothing it out with your hands. You might want to add tacks to the top to secure it in place while you're working. Apply starch to the bottom of the wall and continue smoothing the fabric. Watch for air bubbles. Leave approximately 1 inch of overhang at the bottom to be trimmed later.
5. With your roller, go over the top of the fabric with liquid starch and continue smoothing and stretching as you work your way down the wall.
6. Position the second panel, matching the design along the edge. Repeat steps.
7. Fabric overlap should be cut when the fabric has dried and any shrinkage has already occurred. It will cut clean and easily.
Removing fabric from walls:
To remove, pull gently from one corner. Peels off easily, however, if it doesn't, dampen the fabric with a wet sponge and it will come right off. If you wish to keep the fabric, simply throw it in the wash and it's absolutely reusable!
When starching smaller items or objects, it's much easier to pour liquid starch in a bowl or small bucket. Cut fabric to slightly larger than your object. Saturate fabric in starch, then apply to object, smoothing out bubbles as you go. As with applying to walls, allow fabric to dry and any shrinkage to occur before you trim.
To see my Great Day St. Louis segment with a quick demo click HERE!
By Trenna Travis, Trenna Travis Design Studio
