|

How to Make Framed Fabric Wall Art Using a Picture Frame

Love this post? Share it! :)

Have you ever found such gorgeous prints and wanted to make framed fabric wall art using a picture frame?

That’s what happened when I found this beautiful floral linen fabric that reminded me of watercolor paintings. It was stunning!

Watch the Tutorial!

 

Framed fabric wall art: Gorgeous turquoise linen fabric framed in a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

There’s no other word to describe it.

So I did what any DIYer would do:

I mounted the fabric on plywood with staples, popped the fabric back into a $7.00 thrifted picture frame, and–voila!–framed fabric wall art!

 

Framed fabric wall art: How to hang your favorite fabric on the wall - Thrift Diving

 

The Watercolor Fabric

So, I’ve been teaming up with an awesome company called Arrow Fastener that makes some of the hand tools I’ve been using in recent projects (like this awesome riveter for those DIY backyard bean bag tosses I created).

I started this project with the intention of finding a large picture frame and creating a DIY message board.

My first stop: my favorite thrift store here in Maryland! It’s so funny how I always find exactly what I am looking for, like this $9.99 framed mirror with a 30% off coupon! For $7.00, it was a steal because you know how expensive frames can be, especially ones with mirrors! (FYI….Thrift stores are generally a good place for wood frames for fabric and other DIY wall art).

P.S. Or you can make your own DIY picture frames using a miter box, especially if you want a custom-sized picture frame.

 

BEFORE

 

How to frame fabric - Mount fabric in a thrift store frame. - Thrift Diving

 

The next stop was the fabric store. There is a local fabric shop called G Street Fabrics that I typically will go to in-store. I was on the hunt for fabric and cork to glue to a DIY message board. The moment I walked in, my eye caught this gorgeous fabric 100% linen fabric which had just been added to the fabric stock that day!

 

How to Frame Fabric: Find pretty fabric you love and staple it to plywood and insert into a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

I “oohed” and “ahhhed” over it to the saleswoman until I saw the price at $49.99 per yard.

YIKES!

So I shuffled along to find something more in line with my cheap budget. But I couldn’t get my mind off that stunningly beautiful fabric. The saleswoman could sense my eagerness and I kept hovering nearby, fingering the fabric and sighing in disappointment over its price. She was nice enough to lend me 15% off, and while that wasn’t much, it was just the push I needed to buy one glorious yard, with which I had no idea what I was going to do. (I found it on their website later for under $38/ft). 

I’d come up with some idea later, right after I finished my message board…

 

Framed Fabric Wall Art Using a Picture Frame

I have this intuition with DIY. Some call it creativity, but I like to think of it as intuition. Sometimes a project just feels right. (Does that ever happen to you?)

As much as I loved the idea of organizing my family for the impending school year with a DIY message board, I couldn’t shake the idea of doing framed fabric wall art and prominently displaying it where I could admire and enjoy it daily.

I didn’t want to stick push pins through it. It was way too expensive (and pretty) for that.

So I decided it deserved a place on my Sherwin Williams Rainwashed bedroom wall!

AFTER!

How to frame fabric -Gorgeous watercolor print linen fabric in shades of blue and turquoise for inexpensive wall art! - Thrift Diving

 

Here’s how I created my framed fabric wall art.

Materials Used

(I participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites).

STEP 1: Remove the Old Glass or Mirror From the Picture Frame

This frame had some yucky adhesive holding the mirror in place, but because it was so hot outside at the time, it softened enough for me to easily lift the mirror out.

How to Frame Fabric: Find pretty fabric and staple it to plywood then insert into a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

It was still a pain to scrape away all the leftover adhesive on the frame!

 

How to frame fabric - Remove a mirror from a frame and mount fabric inside. - Thrift Diving

 

STEP 2: Clean and Paint the Picture Frame

Don’t you love how easy it is to paint stuff now compared to years ago??

No sanding, no priming (as long as the piece is in good condition).

This frame, while dirty, was in good condition. With a little bit of wiping down after removing all the adhesive, it was ready for a quick coat of bright white paint to freshen it up!

(RELATED: What’s the Best Paint For Furniture?)

 

How to frame fabric - Paint a picture frame and mount fabric inside. - Thrift Diving

 

STEP 3: Measure the Width and Length of the Plywood

1/4″ thick plywood is perfect for mounting inside of picture frames to create framed fabric wall art because it’s sturdy, yet thin enough to still hold inside of the frame with a thin layer of fabric on it. It doesn’t create a lot of bulk.

I popped the 2″x4″ sized plywood inside of the frame as best as I could, then marked how much I would need to trim away.

You could use a measuring tape, but for me, just laying the plywood on the frame and marking where to trim was most helpful.

(Or it could be that I’m just lazy. HA!)

 

How to Frame Fabric: Measure plywood and cut it to mount inside of a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

STEP 4: Cut the Plywood to Fit the Picture Frame

The jigsaw is one of my favorite tools because it’s soooo easy to use! (Helpful: Check out my full tutorial on how to use a jigsaw if you’re a newbie).

Once I marked the measurements on the plywood, I used my jigsaw to cut it.

 

How to Frame Fabric: Use a jigsaw to cut plywood to mount inside of a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

After cutting the plywood to size, I checked the fit and–BOOM!–perfect fit and no “do-overs.”

Don’t you love when DIY is easy?? 🙂

 

How to Frame Fabric: Mount 1/4" plywood inside of a frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

STEP 5: Staple the Fabric to the Plywood

For this project, I used the Arrow Fastener T50X TacMate™ heavy duty staple gun that Arrow Fastener sent to me. It’s perfect for this framed fabric wall art craft project.

Since the wood was only 1/4″ thick, I used the #504™ staples that are 1/4″ long which barely went through to the other side.

 

How to Frame Fabric: Use a heavy duty stapler (T50X TacMate™ by Arrow Fastener to attach fabric to plywood and then frame it for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

With the fabric right-side down, I laid the plywood over the fabric and then turned the sides up and over the edges of the plywood.

 

How to Frame Fabric: Turn fabric over and mount it to plywood and then frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

Starting with one edge, I stapled the fabric into place, securing it with staples every 3″ or so.

 

How to Frame Fabric: Use a heavy duty stapler by Arrow Fastener to attach fabric to plywood and then frame it for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

The key to doing this right is to make sure you start on one side, then pull the fabric tight on the opposite side while stapling.

For example, I started on the RIGHT side.

Once the right side was stapled, I pulled the LEFT side taut and began stapling, pulling snugly as I stapled along. I made sure not to pull too tight to prevent warping the fabric.

After the LEFT side was done, I pulled the TOP taut and stapled.

I checked the fabric regularly to make sure that the fabric pattern was straight, not warped or crooked.

Lastly, I pulled the BOTTOM side taut and stapled.

When I got to the corners, I folded them in slightly before stapling so that they didn’t add bulk around the edges.

 

How to Frame Fabric: Attach fabric to plywood and then frame it for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

How to Frame Fabric: Use a heavy duty stapler to attach fabric to plywood and then frame it for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

Once I was done, I turned over my new framed fabric wall art and made sure the fabric was lying FLAT against the plywood without any wrinkling or sagginess.

TIP: If there’s saggy fabric, use an Arrow Fastener staple lifter to remove the staples and try stapling and pulling again.

 

How to Frame Fabric: How to staple and mount fabric prints in a picture frame for inexpensive wall art! | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

STEP 6: Mount the Fabric Board Into the Picture Frame

If you used a frame like mine, with the little metal prongs, you’ll be able to simply fold them down, holding the covered plywood into place (as long as your fabric isn’t too bulky).

 

How to Frame Fabric: Clip the plywood-covered fabric in the picture frame. | Thrift Diving - Over 500 DIY posts and projects!

 

BEFORE

Let’s have another look at the “BEFORE”!

At about 2 feet x 3 feet, it was a good size for displaying the fabric and its pretty pattern.

 

How to frame fabric - Mount fabric in a thrift store frame. - Thrift Diving

AFTER!

Although the fabric was pricey, a picture frame with fabric inside is still affordable when you think about how much DIY wall art costs when you buy it at a store!

The plywood was perfect to adhere to the fabric so inside of the frame.

 

Easily Change the Fabric Each Season!

The best part about fabric framed prints is that with the seasonal changes, you can easily pop out the plywood, loosen and remove the staples and add new fabric to the wood frame without having to buy new wall art. (Plus, since we’re not gluing it down, we’re not ruining the fabric, which was can later use for pillows or some other home decor project).

Isn’t it to die for??

 

How to frame fabric - Gorgeous watercolor print linen fabric in shades of blue and turquoise mounted in a picture frame - Thrift Diving

 

Related Posts and Projects

You might be interested in reading more:

Arrow Fastener was awesome for sponsoring this project! Be sure to check out more information about the T50X TacMate™ and other tools and fasteners at ArrowFastener.com.

So what do you guys think about this framed fabric wall art project? Have you ever framed your favorite fabrics?

Leave a comment below and let’s chat about framing fabrics for easy DIY wall art!

Love this project? SAVE it on Pinterest!

How to Frame Fabric - Save this project on Pinterest - Thrift Diving

How to Frame Fabric and mount it in a picture frame - Includes a video tutorial and detailed blog post. - Thrift Diving

 

Download the 5 freebies!

Thrift Diving inspires women to decorate, improve, and maintain their home themselves...using paint, power tools, and thrift stores! Use these 5 printables, checklists, and ebooks to get started!

Now go check your email for those freebies! Powered by ConvertKit

Love this post? Share it! :)

Similar Posts

32 Comments

  1. I saw you on Designthusiam & Shabbyfufu’s Style Showcase and had to pop over. What a great idea! I’ve seen fabric I love, but have no idea what to do with – now I know! Thanks Serena! ❤️

  2. What a cool idea! I can think of some quilting fabrics I’d like to frame!

  3. Looks beautiful! And it seems easy enough to DIY, it’s a nice way to get a new look without spending too much.

Leave a Reply to Katherine Cruz Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *