Apartment Therapy ohdeedoh | How To: Make Fabric Wall Silhouettes

(Hello again to Megan, one of the bloggers trying out for a spot on the Ohdeedoh team. Her first post is here and comments are welcome.)

Remember the one who got away? The love who wanted more, but you just weren't ready to commit?
If you still have commitment issues, you might fall for this temporary way to decorate walls that requires neither paint nor wallpaper nor heartache. All it takes are fabric and liquid starch to create a bold scene in your child's room.

We first took note of the magic of liquid starch last September, when Kayte, of Love Forever , adorned her walls with fabric flowers. This version lets you dictate the shape of your art, rather than following the fabric's pattern.

First, decide on an image you want to create. Look to coloring books or cookie cutters, like these, for inspiration.

Pin fabric of your choice to a wall, wrong side facing out. Our rooster friend here is made with Chocolate Lollipop, by FreeSpirit.

Now, draw the image on the back of the fabric, either by enlarging a picture on a photocopy machine to make a template; drawing it freehand; or, if you have access to an overhead projector, tracing the picture onto a transparency sheet, projecting it onto the fabric and following the lines with chalk.

Cut out the shape, flip the fabric over and begin "gluing" the fabric to the wall by applying the starch with a sponge brush. Apply it to the wall and the right side of the fabric as you go, smoothing out any ripples that form.

Once dry, your silhouette should stick to the wall until you're ready to remove it. Leave it up for years or change it to reflect the seasons or holidays.

When the time finally comes to say goodbye, peel the fabric off, wash the walls with a wet rag, and, like any good breakup, it should disappear without leaving behind a mess.

-Megan

Great post! I enjoyed the writing style, as well as the clear tutorial. Nice links too!

posted by mayaluna on June 5th 2008 at 2:41pm
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I love this idea...I love the wallpaper silhouettes but have been nervous about the permanence. Well written and beautifully photographed.

posted by mrs. french on June 5th 2008 at 2:50pm
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Nice post, Megan. I love this idea and am happy to have an alternative to a mural for my daughter's room.

posted by nicmariemc on June 6th 2008 at 3:57am
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Cool, creative, AND cheap! Wins me over! Thank you Megan and best of luck :)

posted by jennykilbo on June 6th 2008 at 4:16am
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I can't wait to try this! I love the vintage wallpaper decals, but they're so expensive! This is amazing.

posted by kitjule on June 6th 2008 at 5:18am
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Megan, as always great idea and thank you for the step by step instructions...my artistry inclinations are always surpassed by my lack of how-to knowledge. Your kids are lucky to have such a creative mom! Great post, great writing (love the refs to breakups...but why did mine leave some messes?!).

posted by MK Mom on June 6th 2008 at 5:24am
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Thanks for the great feedback, guys. Yes, this is definitely less expensive alternative to other wall art (cheapness is the mother of all invention in our house). A big bottle of liquid starch is only about $3. I paid about $14 for that fabric, but you certainly could find something on sale for less.
A couple other tips--when you're ready to start pasting the fabric onto the wall, it helps to hang it in place with a few tacks. Take them out at the end or as you go.
And the fabric might fray a bit on the edges. Just brush the little strands back onto the fabric--you won't really be able to see them once it dries.
The night I finished this my daughter was a bit freaked out to have a bit rooster over her head, but now she tries to make her dolls ride on his back.

posted by pennycarnival on June 6th 2008 at 5:35am
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My roommate and I did this in college to make an entire wall red. We had trouble with fraying edges though. I have to wonder if using a fusible webbing or something similar would help make smaller uses more durable.

posted by Mamaring on June 6th 2008 at 7:11am
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Fantastic post... easy to follow.... made me believe I could do it all by myself!
Although I don't have kids, I have been looking for ideas for headboards. And even if a giant rooster wouldn't be the best thing for an adult room, your post inspired me to make a run to the fabric store.
Now I can try out different ideas without having to commit!

Thanks so much for the time you put into your post!

posted by sarahrae on June 6th 2008 at 7:52am
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Great post. Good design, good instructions, and cheap to boot.

posted by JudiAU on June 6th 2008 at 8:02am
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A great hack I've learned from my Army husband for fraying edges and loose threads:

Just get a lighter to the edge of the material and it will put a decent seal all around. Just be careful not to light the fabric on fire!

posted by Lis311 on June 6th 2008 at 8:43am
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Love the post! Great job! Thanks for the detailed instructions and inpiration.

posted by bursua on June 6th 2008 at 9:48am
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Wow. Thanks again, everyone. Sarahrae--I definitely think you could apply this to adult rooms. We call our home "Hummingbird Ranch" because its a rancher and we have lots of hummingbirds who visit in the summer, so I'm planning on making a giant fabric hummingbird and flower for our living room.

posted by pennycarnival on June 6th 2008 at 10:11am
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Great idea! Like Sarahrae I first thought of doing this for a headboard. Thanks for the tutorial!

posted by absurdlittlebird on June 9th 2008 at 11:04am
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