Make fabric prints with tape | How About Orange

August 31, 2010

Make fabric prints with tape

I'm still on that tape kick. I have a deep love for anything self-adhesive; peeling and sticking are two of my all-time favorite activities. So I tried an experiment with painter's tape to make a pattern on fabric.

You'll need: fabric, a measuring tape or yardstick, scissors, masking or painter's tape, fabric paint (I like Jacquard Textile Color), a foam brush, a protective surface of some kind, and any sewing supplies you'll need to turn the painted fabric into something.

I decided to make simple envelope pillow cover. It's the easiest home decor sewing project there is—four straight seams and you're done. For pillow cover instructions, see here.

To prepare your fabric, cut out a piece a few inches larger than the total amount you'll need for your project.

With painter's tape, make a pattern on your fabric. I thought the torn edges of the tape were interesting, but you could cut your tape if you like things straight. I varied the width of the tape pieces for a little variety.

Place the taped-up fabric on a plastic tablecloth or other protective surface. Some paint might seep through to the back side of the fabric and you probably don't want a checkerboard on your dining room table. You might even tape the fabric to the plastic to keep it from sliding around. Then dab on the fabric paint with a foam brush, filling each tapeless area.

Let the fabric dry, then pull off the tape pieces. Set the paint by following the manufacturer's instructions; usually ironing it will do it.

Then sew the fabric into something nice.

82 comments:

Amanda @ Heart Tree Home said...

WOW! Cute idea! It would be much faster than freezer paper for simple designs!

Justina Blakeney said...

I absolutely LOVE this idea. And so well done. The brown/white is so chic, too. Great share!

Sharon said...

This is such a great DIY tute! Looks easy enough to achieve. Thx for posting:)

Grandma G said...

Looks like you've been having fun lately! Very cute! Courtney likes it, too.

Mum 'n Courtney

Bonny said...

FUN! I'm adding this to the list of 10 million other things I want to make. VERY COOL!

Heidi Rohr said...

WOAH!!! Awesome, love it...I think I might even do this on a t-shirt! I'm constantly painting designs on tshirts with acrylic paint!
p.s. I just discovered your blog yesterday via my friend Carly, and all i have to say is WOW!! I'm a graphic designer also and I'm sure you hear this ALL the time but your stuff is killer!! Seriously! I've subscribed to your blog and now I'm a total fan :)

Allison Patrick said...

What a great project! My mind is already spinning to think of all the other designs I could make with this technique. Thanks for sharing!

Me? A Mom? said...

Brilliant. I LOVE this idea. Thanks!

LacyHolly said...

This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I will have to try this some time :)

carolyn said...

awesome DIY! so many great ideas popped up reading this :)

Katie said...

So awesome and creative!

torrie said...

the tape i can handle...
...but if only i knew how to sew.

kat said...

so awesome! your blog rocks.

Strange Beauties said...

very cool idea! Thanks for sharing.

Georgia said...

I LOVE that fabric. It looks really great!

Anonymous said...

beautifull idea!!!!

nerd1 said...

thats fantastic!
great job.

Dennis

Anna said...

oh that is so cool. love the edges the tape leaves and the variation is great!

waywardmedic said...

This is great, you make it look easy, now if you can only show me how to sew...

bink and boo said...

You are a genius! I love the organic feel the torn tape left.

Mere said...

This is such a neat idea. I love it!

carrie @ brick city love said...

Very cool idea! So simple and yet incredibly versitile.

Erica @ Acire Adventures said...

It looks like it might be a little time consuming, but totally worth it! I really like how you left the edges of the tape rough, it really adds to the pattern.

Larissa Holland said...

i so cannot get out the blue tape right now, but you make me want to.

Kelle said...

That is awesome! What a great and easy DIY. Thanks for sharing!

Bek said...

I'm a big fan of the rough edges on the tape.

Maybe it appeals to my messy and lazy nature, haha. But seriously, it looks awesome!

tinajo said...

Fab idea! :-)

Lynda said...

Love this! Something to put on my to do list. Thanks.

Alisa said...

I love this! My daughter and I made a tee shirt using this method, except sprayed on the paint for a splattered look. Turned out very cute!

CALM ELM CRAFTS said...

This is fantastic! Love it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Tanya said...

come ON! That is so easy and cool! thanks for sharing.

Elissa @ faucethead creative said...

That's so clever and I love the imperfection of the shapes/edges. Really well done!

Jessica Jones said...

Thanks, guys! Now: Any suggestions for what to do with a big crumpled ball of used painter's tape? :)

Unknown said...

I love the effect of the torn tape edges. Great job! Someday I will have to try this.

kathi said...

Okay, this is why I love your blog.

S.E.Minegar said...

This is adorable. Lovely design.

Stephanie Fazio (aka lealou) said...

very cool!!!

AgathaMChristie said...

You know, that's really pretty super cool. Love the pattern the torn ends of the tape makes, too.

Kimberly said...

This is stunning! And I agree, the torn edges are really interesting. Thanks for the great diy!

pi.pa.po. said...

Simply Brilliant! Thank you for inspiring me and now I can't concentrate on my work because I have to think about what colours or other designs would work ;-)

a said...

Great idea, thanks for that!!
Cheers

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. said...

Awesome idea!

Thanks for the link to my tute...you're the best!

Funnelcloud Rachel said...

Oh, I love this and it's funny you posted this because lately I've been inspired to make art from tape/office supplies - so cool!

carowill said...

This would be really neat on one of those canvas tote bags too - then you wouldn't need to sew - hmm... I'm thinking girl's birthday party activity.

Lyss said...

Oooh! I love this. I've got a few pillows to recover and this may just be the ticket for one of them. Thanks for sharing!

TJ said...

That looks very nice and so simple to make! Thanks for sharing.

LeS GrOsEiLleS said...

Tres belle idée, encore !!

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

I can do this! Yes!

Johanna said...

I say! Best ideas are simple and stylish - and cost next to nothing!

Nicole said...

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2010/08/23/one_orange_to_unite_them_all.html

Unknown said...

looks like a weekend project is in the works! thanks for the idea!

eldasinger said...

What an awesome project!!!

Joan said...

Two words - WAY COOL!

Oni said...

That printing idea is really, really excellent. Might try it....one day, far in the future when I get everything else done. *sigh*.

Julie said...

Such a great idea! Love how it turned out!

Susanna said...

This is really nice, I have to try this with all kinds of colors! Thank you!!!

Susanna said...

How cool is this??!! I have to try this out! Thank you for a great tip!

diane@onlinefabricstore said...

How fun is this and I love your black and white graphic print. I think even I could pull this one off. Thanks for sharing.

Vesna said...

Such an awesome idea! :)

Unknown said...

i DIE over this!!!!! i am SO trying this one!

~selina

Nancy Ward said...

Hi!

Wanted you to know I posted a link to this toturial today on my blog, PaperFriendly.

Nancy Wrd
PaperFriendly
http://www.nancywardcrafts.com

rebekah said...

this idea makes me SOOO happy! thanks for sharing.. i'm going to look for something to tape!

Punctuation Mark said...

this is really cool DIY... loving it!

Michelle L. said...

Ooh! Looooove this! And I adore your blog in general, U R a crafty one and an artist, and you are great at featuring both of those.

Mon Petit Lapin said...

Love this so original and turned out brilliantly!

Nancy Fleur du Luxe said...

Great idea! I love it.

Lauren May said...

I just came across your blog and I absolutely love your craft ideas! I just started my own blog and I'll definitely be coming here for inspiration! Your "keep it simple" projects are so easy but beautiful! Thanks! LM

www.culinaryartandcraft.com

Katherine said...

Thanks, I bet my little girls would love to do a more free-form version of this!

Virginia said...

looks like a designer store-bought pillow very smart and do-able!

Myrill Grace said...

Ahhh yes...this is in my queue of springtime projects to do. I want to try it with a chevron pattern!

Jessica Jones said...

I think that would be fabulous.

Denise @ niecynotes said...

Love this! So simple to make! Thanks for the tutorial :-)

Laurel {Make and Takes} said...

I love how simple this is and how awesome it turns out. I wanted to let you know that I submitted this to the M&T Spotlight: http://www.makeandtakes.com/spotlight

Kristin said...

Just found your site by a recommendation from another site I follow:) One of your commenters(if that is a word) suggested doing a T-shirt. I think that is a great idea. I wouldn't have to sew anything and sadly that is more my speed. Anyway I love the idea of tearing the tape with uneven edges, just really adds something to the print! Your site is very pretty, glad I found it!! So sweet!

isaidthankyou said...

Super thanks! I was looking for something to do on this dreary Saturday. I'm going to try this and then use your other tutorial about how to make fabric wall art. I'm so excited!! I'll post pictures on my blog, isaidthankyou.wordpress.com. Can't wait!

Peny@medical scrubs said...

Never knew that a tape could make a huge difference on a simple fabric. this is so cool. Love the idea of creating a great design on a fabric. Simply beautiful!

Missing_Pieces said...

Never would have thought of it! Fantastic!!! :)

BizCrafter said...

Gotta love tape!!!! this works nice on anything plastic as well. tin containers too! love it!!!beautiful work!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is too cool! I love It :D Cant believe its hand printed ^5

Chez Chouke said...

I tried it! Thank you o much for this great idea. See the result on my blog!

Jessica Jones said...

Yay!!

Anita said...

Me like a lot!!