How To Make a Fabric Covered
Decorating Backdrop
Hello~Hello!
I hope everyone had a great weekend! We did some junking, I got over a nasty headache, we procured a new vehicle to replace the one that got totaled… & Jimmy is pulling the ceiling out of our shower!
It’s just all magic & rainbows over here! hahaha.
Real quick though, before I jump into How To Make a Fabric Covered Decorating Backdrop project I’m sharing… while I was trying to shake that headache, we snuggled up on the sofa and watched SPY. The new DVD release starring Melissa McCarthy. Have you seen it? Well, I swear the laughing is what made me headache go away. I’ll be watching that again for sure!
Now then, are you ready to move onto my super simple fill-a-big-blank-space “backdrop” layering filler-y thing project. About time right? Sorry… you guys now I am a talker!
What do I even call this!?!? Typing in a title for a post is one of my most hated tasks. Ugh. Is “How To Fill Empty Spaces When Decorating” searchable, so someone can find what I’m sharing? Um… I don’t know… maybe? hahaha
I’m telling you, this blogging is HARD. Making me use my brain and stuff. Pfft…
Here is the deal – I’ve got open cabinets in my kitchen. There is a lot of blank space above the shelf and I was trying to figure out what I could put there that would be kind of there-but-not-there. A space filler. Something temporary. I like removable, then when I change my mind five minutes from now, I can.
I know it’s great if you’ve got some reclaimed lumber just laying around… or some super-fabulous architectural element, or shutters… etc… to use those for layering when decorating, but if you don’t have that handy, then this might work for you!
I knew what I did have, I had a few blank canvases that I picked up real cheap. I thought why not cover them with some really neutral fabric and see how that worked? So I did! I was easy and they are light, and they don’t take up much room to store!!
YOU WILL NEED:
- Blank Canvas
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Staple Gun (I specifically bought an electric one [here] affiliate link and I loooove it.)
- Staples
Optional:
- You might also try; tacks, spray glue and/or possibly a glue gun to secure your fabric. I grabbed them and popped them in the photo too so your could see what I was thinking.
- If you have an old canvas with a painting on it you don’t care for, paint a primer coat on it so the scene doesn’t show-thru your fabric and use that!
- You can also build a wood frame and cover it with fabric.
1 – Gather your supplies.
2 – Ensure your staples are the correct size.
(long enough to grab you fabric well & short enough that they do not go through the wood frame)
3 – Lay out your fabric, place frame on top, cut.
(leave enough length so the fabric covers the side and folds over the back to attach)
4 – Get ready to staple.
(work on a smooth, flat surface)
5 – I like to start at the bottom. Work from the middle to your corners.
(for continuity, complete all your corner folds in the same way)
6 – Next do your sides, middle to the corners and then finish up with the top.
If you have any staples that didn’t go-in all the way, no biggie, just tap them down with a hammer. I get a lot less of that with my new stapler. I just used it to recover my dining chairs [here] and it’s so nice to work with.
It takes staples and brads! I got it at Ace and I just picked up the less expensive Ace brand staples to use in it.
I hope I never have to use a manual one again. I had no hand fatigue after using this one. I see many more “staple-y” projects in my future!! I hate to say “this isn’t sponsored” because I give my honest opinion regardless… but this isn’t sponsored. The electric stapler/nail gun was like ten bucks more that the manual ones. And when I saw that cord, it was a no-brainer for me. Last time I recovered chairs, Jim had to help me because I couldn’t hold the fabric and use both hands (which was necessary) for me to even use the stapler. Damn man tools! hahaha.
I hate to admit it, because most tools are not a problem but that one required man-hand strength. And I can hold my own most times when we are doing DIY but I don’t have the world’s strongest hands.
The new, fabric covered canvases do just what I wanted, so all-in-all, I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out!! As soon as I’ve got somewhere to work, I can definitely see making a much larger version for the fireplace!
The fabric is such a pretty, soft gold and the pattern is very calm. It should blend beautifully with my decor all through the Autumn season.
As you can see, the decor I paired them with is really simple. A candlestick on each side, an urn with a pumpkin and the Pheasants on one side and the pitcher & roses on the other. It’s muted… and, I like it.
I hope you do too!
If you decide to make a fabric backdrop after seeing this, I really hope you will share it with me!! I’d love to see it. You can email me at foxhollowcottage@gmail.com or tag me on Instagram!
Have a great week!! If I get a spare minute, I might throw a little something up for Halloween before it’s actually here… I still can NOT believe I haven’t done anything? Inconceivable. (read that like it sounds in The Princess Bride) You know, just for fun.
Really though, it might not, and I am okay with that.
Take care now!! xo Shannon
Click [here] for Halloween past!
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SOURCES:
- Staple Gun – Stanley Electric Staple Gun [order online here] affiliate link
- Fabric – Waverly
- Candlesticks – HomeGood [here]
- Urns – Thrifted
- Pheasant – Vintage 101
- Galvanized Metal Tray – HomeGoods
- White Leaf Dish – HomeGoods
- Lanterns – HomeGoods
- Linens – HomeGoods
- Casper Pumpkins – Safeway
- Roses – Safeway
- Velvet Pumpkins – Safeway
- French Script Pillows – HomeGoods
- Pallet Runner – DIY
- Dining Table – Estate Sale
- Dining Chairs – Goodwill
- Seat Fabric – Waverly
- Rug – Rugs USA [here] (direct link)
THANK YOU FOR VISITING FOX HOLLOW COTTAGE TODAY!
Shannon says
What a super smart idea. I love this idea because it can be changed depending on the season–very cool! I watched SPY a couple of weekends ago and loved it!
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Me too, you know I like to change things. I liked the movie too and we laughed!! I plan to watch it again for sure 🙂
Carolyn Creager says
I love the fabric with the script writing that you did the pillows in. I have been looking for this fabric without any luck. I want to make some valances for my great room. Could you email me where you found this fabric? Thank you in advance,
Carolyn Creager
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
I’m so sorry….I didn’t make those. I bought them at HomeGoods.
Try onlinefabricstore.com they have a huge selection.
melinda labombard says
I like your creativity
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thank you so much!
Jill Nelson says
I think your idea is perfect. I’m learning that it’s all about the layering! 🙂 Sometimes it’s the easiest projects that make the biggest difference. Large pieces of art can be horribly expensive so I really like this idea of using fabric…endless choices and easy to swap out (I’m always changing things in my home!)
Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says
Thanks so much. I know, art is so expensive!! I like the neutral/switch-ability factor too.