Tutorial: How to Add Fabric to Your Framed Projects

In my last post, I mentioned that I'd been using fabric in my frames.  Today, I'll share how I did it.  You'll be amazed at how easy (and fun) it is to do!

First up, I'd like you to see what I added to one of the frames from my last post.  The background is fabric.

I've used elements from a Simply Scrappin' Kit!  Want to see the rest?  It's at the end of the post.

I've added buttons and used dimensionals, to give it a happy look.

So... how do you add fabric?  Here we go:

You need fabric, cut to the size for your project.
You need an iron and you need our roll of Fabric Adhesive.

Cut the Fabric Adhesive to the size you need and iron the DULL side of the Fabric Adhesive to the WRONG side of your fabric.  Let it cool.  Gently peel off the Fabric Adhesive backing (as in photo below) and you'll see the shiny side exposed.  This will be kind of tacky.

Place the shiny (tacky) side of the fabric/Fabric Adhesive onto the back of whatever you'd like to attach it (in this case, chipboard) and gently iron again ON THE FABRIC SIDE.  Here, you see the back of the chipboard, after I've attached the fabric to it.  (This is the chipboard that came with the frame.)

Carefully trim off the excess fabric, after it cools.

Notice that, with fabric that has a definite design (in this case writing) you'll want to be sure you attach it so it's straight.  Line it up with one edge of your chipboard and it should be fine.

Before reassembling your frame, decide if you'd like some ribbons around the edge of the frame.  In this project, I used torn strips of fabric as the ribbon.

You'll notice that the glass is on the BACK side of my frame.  I needed it to make the thickness right for the frame, so it would go back together correctly.  If you don't want to use the glass, cut a piece of cardboard that is about the same thickness.  I just like to use the glass so I don't have to worry about throwing it away.

Now, you're ready to add a photo or stamped image or whatever else you can think up to make a cute display.

So, want to see the large frame again?  ... all of it?   Here it is!

In this frame, the fabric is ironed onto and directly attached to the glass.

I've left room for photos or other memorabilia.  See how much fun it is?  

As for the Fabric Adhesive, remember that you can iron it onto chipboard or glass.  It works!  

Here it is on chipboard (above and below).  I did both sides, so the project has a nice finished look to it.

Here it is on glass (behind the mat). 

 Fabric adds such a wonderful touch to a project.  I hope you'll give it a try.  

It's About Time

If you're like me, you're probably feeling like 2013 is already marching along pretty fast.  It's about time for more calendars, too.  Today's calendars are made from heavy coasters.  I don't like clutter all over my fridge, but I do like to have a little calendar there, so these work out perfectly.

These are covered with fabric!  I used our Fabric Adhesive Roll and ironed the fabric directly onto the coasters.  I embellished them with scraps of ribbon, Antique Brads and some of our Pop-Up Posies.

I purchased the coasters from an online craft supplier, but I can't remember the name.  You buy them in bulk, so I've had them around long enough to forget the supplier.

 

You can get them square or round.  I kind of like both.  I use a magnet on the back, so I can put it on the fridge.  I made some (with a fishing theme) for my husband's file cabinet, too.  

This is one we made at one of our Hostess Scrapbook Club crops.  It has DSP on both sides and I've used our new woven ribbon, along with various buttons, for embellishments.

If you don't have coasters, you can create a beautiful calendar on a smaller piece of CS.  You can also cut a shape from CS or cardboard, using your Big Shot and make your own unique calendar.  Stamp an image for the top and place a calendar on the bottom.  Embellish to your heart's content.  

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

You've Been Framed - Part 3 ... a Fun Bulletin Board

A bulletin board can be a very useful item ... in your kitchen, craft room, laundry room, office, teen's room, classroom, child's room ... AND it can certainly be a lot of fun, especially if you get creative with it!  My bulletin board is 'fancied' up with fabric.

Using our Fabric Adhesive, I ironed the fabric directly onto the cork.  It worked beautifully!  I then added some fabric flowers to really brighten it up.  I actually made this bulletin board for my booth (Prairie Treasures) but I liked how it turned out so much that it was very difficult to let it go.  I may have to make another one for myself!

Here it is!

I love it and hope you do, too.  The nice thing is that you could make a project like this take on whatever look you would like, depending on your choice of fabrics and embellishments.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

You've Been Framed - Part 1 ... and ... How to Make Fabric Flowers

This week, I want to share some of my framing projects with you.  Today's project started as a plain, square frame.  I love making projects for home decor and frames are especially fun!

I did it all with fabric!  Did you know that you can iron fabric directly onto cardboard?  It's really easy.  I used our Fabric Adhesive Roll and attached the fabric to a cardboard insert for the inside of the frame.  I love the look of the cheery red with polka dots!

The fabric flowers are made with our Fun Flowers die.  I used 2 of each size of the cut flowers and layered them.  I pierced a hole with our piercing tool and then inserted a brad to hold them together.  Sometimes, I sew a button to the center instead of using a brad.   To fluff them and give them shape, I used a product called Stiffen Quick.  I got them quite wet and then pushed them into a mini muffin pan, so they would hold a more rounded shape as they dried.  I usually speed up the process a bit by using my heat tool on them.  I like to give them plenty of time to dry and then fluff them a bit before attaching.  I used my hot glue gun to attach them to the frame.

I could see a frame like this in a baby's room, a little girl's room, a teen's room, a craft room...

Tell me what you think... and be sure to come back tomorrow and I'll show you a vintage frame I made, using our flower trim.

Don't forget about the Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet class this Friday night and the Collage Frames class coming up on Feb. 21.  I hope you'll join us for 1 or both of these fun classes.  Have a great day!