Starch Your Walls

Kathy Miller (of Michael Miller Fabrics) told me she would be doing this a couple of months ago and I've been dying to try it- starching fabric to your walls.  She and her sister did a room makeover for Designing Spaces (scroll to the bottom of that page and you can watch the video).  Of course, the show makes it look like it can be done in a little over 2 minutes.  I would allow more time than that for your project.

Anyway, Kathy gives a quick explanation of it on her blog.  The great thing about it is the fabric stays as long as you want, but pulls down with a little water when you are ready to move on.  It sounds like a great alternative for apartment dwellers forbidden to wallpaper or paint!  Or for those that don't want a long-term commitment with their wall choices.  I'm sure the technique would work for fabric appliques on the wall as well.  (I see visions of flowers and trees for children's rooms, scroll designs for living rooms).  The great thing is it appears that the technique is infinitely redo-able (so mistakes can always be undone), the fabric won't rip like wallpaper, and someone on the web claimed you can wash the fabric when you take it down and use it for something else.

Kathy used Sta Flo starch for their project (the liquid kind, undiluted).  If you can't find liquid starch at your grocery store (it will be with the laundry soaps and spray starches), you can make your own from cornstarch.  The Argo Corn starch FAQ's say:  "In a large bowl or pot, stir 1/2 cup of corn starch into 1 cup of cold water. Stir in boiling water (2 quarts for a heavy solution; 4 quarts for medium and 6 quarts for a light solution)." For these purposes, I'd go with the "heavy" solution.

Now everyone, everywhere can stick fabric to their walls.  And if you do it, be sure to show me a picture in my Furniture DIY flickr gallery (again, Jessica and my projects are so lonely over there)!  The fabric on the walls above, by the way, is Dick and Jane's Harlequin fabric.  Where can you get that fabric?  Hummm, let's see--  oh yeah, from me, here.

Comments

[cindy k]

oh, i LOVE this idea and agree that there are so many options. a headboard for a bed would be cool. i like the look of wallpaper, but removing it is just - ugh!

thanks for sharing!

[alison]

i did this about 6 years ago--it was a fun project.

[Maureen]

When I was growing up my bedroom had the flat sheet pasted to the wall of the room instead of wallpaper or paint. It was really a nice and bright room.

[Nanette]

Hmm that seems a bit much with the fabric in the picture but it is a nice idea.

[Amelia]

Wow, what a fun idea!!

[Missy]

I love this idea! I was going to paint some birds on my daughters' bedroom wall, but now I think I will cut them out of fabric and put them up this way!!

[Renovation Therapy/I Love Upstate]

My best friend's Mother had a huge business in the 1980's of covering walls with fabric. She used to putting batting behind it and it looked...puffy. I never liked it, kinda reminded me of a padded cell. BUT...I love this idea where the fabric is flat and not...puffy.

I'm tempted to do the inside panels of a door...

[Jennifer Paganellli]

You are so full of inspiration over here!!! Thankks so much for keeping your readers well versed in the art of design...You make it so fun..It was so terrific meeting you and getting to know you..thanks so much for carrying Bell Bottoms..It's such a treat for me. Jennifer

[sandi zeiger]

Can you use fabric starched on walls in a tropical environment? I am talking high humidity but moderate temperatures..... Would this work on concrete walls?

[Geri]

I'd like to also know if it would work on concrete. I'm cleaning/rearranging my (unfinished) basement sewing space, and have some large yardage, sheets, etc that I'd like to put up on the walls to make it look prettier. Has anyone tried this???

[Jack]

Wow, that's so pretty.

[Bob - Dial up Internet Services]

Amazing work,thanks for sharing the post.

[rc helicopter reviews]

Impressive blog! -Arron