Last week I posted about the obscenely cheap fabric wall panels that I made, and because having a “how to” post inside of a “my dogs mauled each other” post is at least a little awkward I thought I’d show you how I did it here….
Fabric Wall Panel Supplies
- 1.5 meters of cute discount fabric ($10)
- 1 panel of half inch green guard or similar panel insulation from hardware store ($10)
- 1/4″ staples
- Staple gun
- Finishing nails
- Hammer
1. Using a swiss army knife I cut the green guard into two four foot by one foot panels.
2. Cut the fabric right down the middle, length wise. Lay the fabric down and place the green guard on top of it.
3. Pull the fabric over to the back of the panel, measuring how much you have gathered over the back. Minding this measurement will make sure the pattern doesn’t drift. Start stapling it into the panel until that side is done.
4. Turn the board around and repeat with the remaining fabric on that side.
5. Work on one of the remaining two sides of the panel and bring the fabric around the to the back, folding it underneath its self to ensure a clean finish. Or not, if you’re not anal. Just be careful to bring the extra fabric around to the back when you’re working on the corners, as it tends to gather on the edges of the board and if you leave it like that the sides will appear over stuffed and uneven.
6. Because the panels are so soft, you can hang them by hammering finishing nails straight through them and into the wall, which adds to their plush, upholstered look.
Total Project Cost: $20 because I only needed to buy the green guard & fabric. Projects that use stuff I just have around the house are my absolute favourite.
Ways you can make it your own:
Use cork board so you can pin things into it
Use cork board, add a frame and use it as an interactive shadow box
Pad the fabric with batting on the finished side & add sewing detail
Use the same method on smaller pieces like T-Shirts or antique quilts
Have fun- and make sure you e-mail me pictures if you make them!
kylaroma[at]gmail.com
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
This is awesome! I am so bad when it comes to decorating. I would have NEVER thought of this.
.-= Jessica @ How Sweet´s last blog ..Mini Smores Tarts. =-.
This is something that honestly never would have crossed my mind either. I love it and it adds so much color to your space. Crafty projects and DIYs are so much fun to read about.
.-= mandy´s last blog ..Sense of Direction =-.
I love cheap DIY projects. You could also add cork boarding and then cover it in a pretty fabric, so you have something beautiful and functional!
.-= SoMi’s Nilsa´s last blog ..Privacy =-.
I have a similar idea for our dining room/bed room. I will definitely send you pictures if I get around to doing this project. :)
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..When you realize you miss someone. =-.
Can you just come to NYC for a weekend and do all these DIY projects for me!
.-= Little Fish´s last blog ..In Defense of Men =-.
LOVE this. i have some cork squares that are just begging to be covered. :)
Absolutely adorable! I’m always looking for cheap ways to spruce up my house!
I love this DIY, I’m thinking of doing it in my daughter’s room!
.-= Margarita´s last blog ..The Morning After =-.
Even with step-by-step instructions I still don’t know how well I’d do at this project. I wish I had more crafty bones in my body =)
.-= Nora´s last blog ..The Weekend of Smiles =-.
Thanks you for the “How to…”…. that might come in handy :)
.-= san´s last blog ..You think I am a little weird? – So what. =-.
I’ve actually had this project scheduled for this week! I actually picked up canvas because the other option hadn’t occurred to me. I’m picking out my fabric this afternoon and hope to tackle it this evening!
That’s too cool Ben, I hope it works out well! And that you send me pictures. Because let’s face it, I’m kinda needy like that. -kr
.-= Ben´s last blog ..Boob Tuesday #9.5 =-.
OK, it’s official. … Will you just come to TN and help me decorate my home? Because you’re so crafty and creative, and I need that in my life these days!
Dear Erin,
Where do I sign up for that?? I would love to. I’ll get on a flight immediate and we can work out the details when I arrive ;)
-kr
.-= E.P.´s last blog ..Looking forward =-.
I’m absolutely going to steal the cover-cork-boards-with-fabric idea when I get settled into and decorate my new place! I’m determined to have a “work space” carved out of my room or a corner somewhere, and that seems like a perfect touch.
I’m glad you like it! If I give myself something else to clutter up I’m sure I would cover the panels with pieces of paper that would drive me crazy, but for people who are really visual workers this is a great twist. I’ll just need pictures of it is all… =) -kr
.-= Doniree´s last blog ..Omaha Star =-.
Thanks for sharing, Kyla! I’m 99% positive I will be making these with corkboard to hang photos on! <3
.-= Amber from Girl with the Red Hair´s last blog ..Reminisce with me =-.
So cute Kyla! And I love the suggestions at the end for how to modify them…I love crafts but am not creative at all, so your how to’s are perfect for me :).
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Wherein My Mother Channels Nicole’s Mother =-.
I’m going to have to steal this idea! My husband and I will hopefully be moving soon, and I will find a way to use this! =D Thanks for sharing.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Forward Movement =-.
For everyone who doubts their ability to do this, I’m not crafty at all and mine came out great!
One piece of advice – iron and starch your fabric first. It will make it more forgiving when you stretch it. If you’re not perfect, then the wrinkles won’t show.
Great advice Tia! The fabric I used was extremely heavy so it was barely creased at all, and it lay very flat when I stapled it on. If you’re using something with less structure, ironing and starching it is key. Thanks! kr.
goodness! you are quite the crafty lady :)
.-= hillary´s last blog ..He Said That You’re Just As Boring As Everyone Else Nothing Ever Happens =-.
Such a nice idea! Our bedroom is so bland when you face toward the door. I just got a new (used) dresser because the drawers of my old one are basically crap. It’s so easy to take them apart that I’m thinking of doing something with some of the boards and turning them into homemade decors. Maybe something like yours! :]
Oh fun! These are a great way to add a graphic touch, and if you use a slightly less loud fabric than I did they can be a fun way to play with depth without shouting at everyone. But this is my little corner, and I don’t mind a little loud! -kr
yay, i was waiting for this how-to! i love love LOVE how these came out! and pretty easy too!
LOVE this idea, I was just talking with my friend Heather about how I wanted to do something really similar to this but with corkboard in my dining room (for my kids school crafts) & my bedroom for other miscellaneous important stuff! I love the little bit of cheer it brought to your room!
.-= Jimaie´s last blog ..Oh sorry, am I rambling again? =-.
This is great and I really, really want to do this for my room to get SOMETHING on my walls. Thanks, Kyla!
.-= Stephany´s last blog ..Ten on Tuesday (vol. 9) =-.
So excited to try this out sometime!!! Thanks Kyla!!!
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Leaving Home, Coming Home. =-.
They look great! My sister Katelyn posted about 2 years ago about a similar project she did, but she and her husband made the frames themselves. I like that you can use these as corkboards.
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Boy or Girl?? =-.
seriously these are so cute, i know i said that the first time you posted this but ah, love it and its cuteness.
.-= katelin´s last blog ..The Guest List Blues. =-.
Whoops…here’s the link to it!
http://fiveblondes.com/decorating/art-project/
I think I love this.
.-= Vanessa (Last Night’s Leftovers)´s last blog ..Get Outta Bed! =-.
Ok – this is actually something crafty that I could accomplish. I might do it in my bedroom… Or in my living room to mix things up a bit. I wish I had an office because I would totally do one in the office w/ a tack board underneath so I could pin up calendars, etc.
Thanks for posting this DIY!
.-= Lisa from Lisa’s Yarns´s last blog ..Midweek Miscellany =-.
I’m thinking that you need to move in with me and make my house Kylafied. I LOVE this. You’re so creative. I wish I had that in me!
.-= barbetti´s last blog ..And I’m Getting a Bit Ridiculous =-.
Love it! What a great idea!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..There’s only one thing to care about. =-.
dude! That is seeeeriously neat looking. If I weren’t as lazy as I am, I’d totally be all about it. Or perhaps if I just owned my own place. Or…didn’t live in a room of a house..ok. shutting up.
.-= deutlich´s last blog ..The Word on the Street =-.
Saw the new haircut on Twitter (though I don’t tweet). Love it! You can pull off short like nobody’s business. It makes you look more grown up – in a good way!
I’m totally loving this, and totally DOING this!
PS: Saw your hair on Twitter and it is ADORABLE.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Something to sweeten your Monday. =-.
SUCH a great idea. And I love more that you use a Swiss Army knife. You’re so cute! And I LOVE your new hair. So sexy.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Sweat it out =-.
You blow my mind.
.-= nicoleantoinette´s last blog ..phone calls, birth control, and bitches i sort of wish i could stab in the throat =-.
So cute!
This is a great idea, even for a dude like me! I’m wondering if I can recycle some of my old clothing instead of buying new fabric?
Definitely! I’m doing that with a t-shirt I designed for Halloween a few years ago- or you could use it as scrap fabric and make a quilt or mosaic looking item. Have fun! -kr
.-= [F]oxymoron´s last blog ..Men, Women, Nipples… And Baby Stuff =-.
Love the fabric you chose. Thanks for the how-to!
Those came out beautifully! My living room walls are still naked and I think that might be the thing they need. Thanks for the idea!
.-= Angie´s last blog ..Friendship Stories =-.
That is really cool! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been wanting to try to make something like this, and you’ve totally inspired me. I have more than enough blank walls around my apartment, lol. :P
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Hush, my heart, and live this moment. =-.
This is absolutely fantastic! I should probably do something to this effect to offset some of my brown walls. How easy is it to hang them with pushpins? Sadly I can’t use nails, as my landlord won’t let me put them into the wood paneled walls (which I get; but they’re so 70s… *sigh* for being a renter).
.-= Phil´s last blog ..Don’t You Mess Around With Me =-.
BRILLIANT!
.-= Christine (MIniMak)´s last blog ..Katie Joy Photography =-.
I used to do this with old canvas frames from failed paintings, it makes them easier to hang and super light weight. And then it’s super easy to embroider cute little embellishments on.
Love this idea! You’re so creative.
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