Lately, I've been drawn to all of the painted burlap projects floating around Pinterest. I've seen everything from burlap pillows to burlap-wrapped canvas. I really like the look and over the weekend I decided to create something of my own. We're currently in the process of repainting our entryway, so I thought it would be great to have a new welcome sign to hang in the soon-to-be spruced up space.
I created my sign using:
Once the cut was complete, I weeded out the actual word so that I was only left with the negative space. This was then applied on top of the burlap with the help of some transfer paper to keep things in place. I took special care to smooth down the vinyl along the edge of each letter so that none of my paint could seep under the edges.
The next step was to apply the paint. I started out using a foam sponge dabber, but quickly found that most of my paint was being absorbed into the sponge rather than transferred to the burlap. After a few moments of frustration, I switched to a stiff-bristled fabric paint brush. Much better! Rather than using sweeping brush strokes, I repeatedly tapped the burlap with the brush. This helped the paint to seep in and coat the individual fibers.
Once I painted all of the letters, I waited a few short minutes to let it dry a little before peeling the stencil away from the burlap. Considering the rough, uneven texture of the fabric, I was nervous that some of the paint and bled beneath the vinyl. However, I found myself extremely pleased with the crisp edges that were left behind. No seepage! Per the instructions for the fabric paint, it has to sit 48 hours to dry, but I couldn't resist placing it in my frame to see what the finished product will look like. Viola! My homemade burlap welcome sign!
I created my sign using:
- Burlap - nothing fancy, just the inexpensive, itchy kind from Jo-Ann's
- Adhesive vinyl - cut with my Silhouette CAMEO to create a "Welcome" stencil
- Transfer paper - to apply the stencil to the burlap
- DecoArt SoSoft fabric paint in Lamp Black
- Stiff fabric paint brush - I started out using a sponge dabber, but found that the sponge mostly just absorbed the paint
- Black frame - a rectangular collage frame that I removed the matting from
Once the cut was complete, I weeded out the actual word so that I was only left with the negative space. This was then applied on top of the burlap with the help of some transfer paper to keep things in place. I took special care to smooth down the vinyl along the edge of each letter so that none of my paint could seep under the edges.
The next step was to apply the paint. I started out using a foam sponge dabber, but quickly found that most of my paint was being absorbed into the sponge rather than transferred to the burlap. After a few moments of frustration, I switched to a stiff-bristled fabric paint brush. Much better! Rather than using sweeping brush strokes, I repeatedly tapped the burlap with the brush. This helped the paint to seep in and coat the individual fibers.
Once I painted all of the letters, I waited a few short minutes to let it dry a little before peeling the stencil away from the burlap. Considering the rough, uneven texture of the fabric, I was nervous that some of the paint and bled beneath the vinyl. However, I found myself extremely pleased with the crisp edges that were left behind. No seepage! Per the instructions for the fabric paint, it has to sit 48 hours to dry, but I couldn't resist placing it in my frame to see what the finished product will look like. Viola! My homemade burlap welcome sign!
