Quilters.
Listen to me.
Did you realize that your fabric stash holds a fabulous use beyond being quilt material and emotional support?? Did you know that your gorgeous fabric can be used as wallpaper … with no damage to the fabric or the walls?? Yes! Your fabric stash can become wallpaper, and I know this is true because the internet told me!
You see, in my quest to get a new view, I have learned about various home improvement things that do not cost a fortune. My quest very recently revealed to me that cotton broadcloth — and maybe other kinds of fabric, but broadcloth/quilter’s cotton is the only kind of fabric I have and boy to do I have it — cotton broadcloth can be hung on walls like wallpaper using only a bit of elbow grease and liquid starch. Sta-Flo, people! That’s all that stands between you, your favorite fabric, and a new view!!!
A PATCHWORK VIEW! You can piece your walls! Or at least just roll on that killer Mary Fons Small Wonders Heart Plus Logo fabric in your kitchen, right?? Heh, but you can still get some, you know.
I figure the reactions to this fabric stash-wallpaper information fall into three categories:
Reaction 1
“Mary, my entire house is wallpapered with fabric. I’ve done this for years. I change the fabric out from season to season to suit my stylish whims. You’re just now figuring out about the fabric wallpaper? Better late than never, kid.”
Reaction 2
“I do not share your love of wallpaper or patterned walls, Mary Fons. I like my walls like I like my cheesecake: simple. So this information stirreths not my soul, so I’m going to go read people argue with each other about politics on Facebook. That’s always so much fun.”
Reaction 3
“AAAHGHGHGHGHHGHGHG WHAAAAAAAAT????? WHATTTTTTTTT?????”
For those in the third category, I understand. Because that was me.
Just go on YouTube and type in the search box, “fabric wallpaper tutorial” or “hanging fabric wallpaper tutorial” and you’ll get all the instruction you need. It’s real, hanging fabric as wallpaper. And it does not look difficult. For a pattern/textile junkie like me, this is truly a revelation. One of the tutorials I watched suggested that it was a two-person job, which looks about right. So I have to have a buddy help me when I do mine. But I won’t need help picking the fabric. I’ve already got it alllll laid out.
If you do it, tell me how it goes?
R MacKinnon
Mary – all I can say is don’t use striped material. And as someone who has hung real wall paper – your walls are never really “true”.
Have fun.
Martha Moore
I guess I’m sort of in the first and second categories. I haven’t done this since the 70s, but it is awesome. We currently have a home with wall paper from the 80s and i hate it. I hope you find the perfect fabric. Maybe something from your fabric line, which I loved. Good luck! Your new view will be beautiful. I hope you’ll share pictures.
Janet Medina
I have done this! Right now, I have covered my pegboard so it looks pretty. Then I use an ice pick to pock the holes for the jooks.
Patsy Noyes
Apparently the starch can attract ? Silver fish and assorted other insects. Read that on the internet also!
Ivy
Exactly! I sometimes starch fabric, but I don’t paste it on my walls (ew), and I wash the starch out before too long–to avoid bugs. However, it’s cold in Chicago, so it may not be a problem. Bugs might be more of a problem in hot and humid locales, like Florida, where I live.
Shayne A
I thought all large walls were supposed to be covered in flannel and used as design walls. Then the decor automatically changes as you work on different quilts.
Judy Forkner
Yes!!!
Annie
I LOVE that idea Shayne. Great thinking. You are smart like two colleges :>).
Margaret
Love it!
Paula
I remember using this method to put dinosaur patterned sheets on my son’s wall 37 years ago!
Cindy
Love the idea! I am contemplating moving my sewing machine and cutting g table to an u finished room in basement. Painting the brick, put in a drop ceiling. One wall has sheet rock, no texture. Maybe I just cover with fabric!
Laurinda
Holy crap- I never knew it was that easy! I wanted to do that back in the 80s, but I thought it had to be tacked to the wall!! Thanks Mary
Judy Forkner
Back when my husband & I were into wall papering, we always did it together! I have known people who pat fabric on their walls–not sure if they did it with starch, though. Be sure to post a picture when you’re done!
Brenda King
Mary, you’re brilliant! I’ve wallpapered many a wall, but never with fabric. I’ve seen it done tho’, usually in magazines. Now I just go for simple, easy to wash, or paint, walls, no fuss, no expenditure of energy or money! Can’t wait to see your finished project! Take care, and many photos too, please! Brenda King, Bend, Oregon : )
Ginny R
Why yes, the White House has fabric wallpaper. Me? Nope. Don’t have time. But, love the look of it.
Ann Bailey
An Idea that just floated in – instead of all that work, get a huge decorative (or not) rod and hang beautiful fabric like a curtain across the whole rod. It can be changed out easily.
Cheri C
When I graduated from college way back in 1982, I moved from Pittsburgh PA to Dallas with two of my college friends. In our first apartment we put a cool tropical fabric above the fireplace. It was an inexpensive and unique way to decorate. A year later when I moved into my own apartment I did the same thing (different fabric). Hadn’t thought about this decorating technique until now! Thanks for the memories!
Barbara
When my friend wallpapered her bedroom wall, circa 1980, I was like “Wow, are you kidding me?” Actually, it looked quite nice.
I also have a friend who ran out of scotch tape and used straight pins to wrap my birthday present.
So, go for it Mary, Hope you and your helper friend enjoy the wallpapering. xo
Jody
A cousin of mine (in a different state) hung fabric as wallpaper in a bedroom years ago. I heard it was gorgeous!
Michele Leonard
Oh yeah ! I’ve seen it done many times! I was an interior design student in the 70’s . My roommate and I couldn’t afford material…… So we put up HEAVY DUTY ALUMINUM FOIL. !!!! Don’t remember what we used to put it up . That was a statement wall ! I agree you better check out the Sta flow , it attract bugs. How about using large pieces of Foam Core and hanging them like pieces of Art , singularly and in combos??
Nadine Donovan
Wow! Never heard of this. Never would have considered this until now. I have been wanting to redo my bedroom.
Catherine
I like the one comment using a decorative rod. You can hang quilts or fabric using those rod clips. As a person who hung wallpaper over the years, believe me, you will get tired of it and the removal isn’t fun. Paint is the way to go. Warm wishes whatever you decide.
susan
“Stirreths”…too fun and now my word for the day!
Lucile Lapin
I would put up a frame size panel and then hang the empty frame on top for more dimension. Thanks for the idea.
Betty
In the movie, “The Goodbye Girl” (1978, I think?) she uses fabric to cover her walls and I thought that was the greatest idea! (My husband and I were on our first date – New Year’s Day, 1978 – when we saw this movie.)
Michelle Powae
Hi Mary, I am truly proud of you and all you have done so far. Have fun at your dream job. Post you and your degree photo. Love you and I will keep following you and all you do. Thank you for Quilty I love it.
Rose
I did it for the first time a few years ago. It is very different from hanging wallpaper in that the fabric has no body while wet. It’s just a blob. I got around that was thumbtacking it ahead of where I was working. With that little addition, it worked great.