That’s right, I’ve changed careers.  Not really, but I think I might have a calling.

If you will remember, I told you I was going to copy my brilliant baby cousin (she’s in her 30’s; she’s just the baby of the cousins) and make my own piece of fabric art.  I did it!  I was terrified once I started getting into it but it all turned out ok.  It was actually very fun and satisfying.  Look at my finished masterpiece:

Here is how I did it:

1.  Get your supplies for creating the design: Canvas, Modge Podge, gloves, paint brush, large piece of fabric, scissors. I used a 36″ x 48″ store bought canvas.  If you have an old canvas laying around (you don’t like the picture anymore) you can use that.   I did buy a large piece of fabric (muslin) then returned it.  I had an old sheet which was perfect.
   

   
2. Think about the design you want.  Play around with it.  You don’t have to keep the fabric in one large piece.  You can cut strips.  You will not be able to tell it is strips of fabric in the end… unless you want to be able to tell.  All up to you.  I was able to use one large piece.  I’m glad I played around with it while it was dry but the fabric WILL NOT manipulate the same once you get going.  That Modge Podge is sticky.
3. Paint a layer of Modge Podge on the canvas.  I did the whole canvas at once.  I would maybe do smaller sections in the future, I’m not sure.
4. Start manipulating your fabric so it looks like you want.  And just keep going.  Modge Podge the canvas as necessary and just tweak and tweak until you are happy.
5. Once you have all the fabric as you want it, let it dry for an hour or so.  Then, carefully brush a thin layer of Modge Podge on top of your fabric.  This will manipulate your fabric a little more, which you might be fine with.  If you don’t want it to move at all, tread lightly.
6. Let the Modge Podge layer dry for another hour or so then repeat step 5.  I think I did 3-4 total layers of Modge Podge on top of the fabric.  In all, I used one full 16 oz bottle of Modge Podge to complete my masterpiece.
7. Now it’s time for either a hot glue gun or a staple gun.  I already own a hot glue gun so that is what I went with.  Trim any excessive fabric on the back.  Leave yourself enough to pull and glue/staple to the back of the canvas.  I like the edges being folded in different ways too; I feel it adds to the uniqueness of the piece.  I only burned myself twice with the hot glue gun.  Seems like a miracle.
   

   
8. Grab your desired paint color and a paint brush. I wanted white because I wanted to brighten up my room.  My cousin did red and it is fabulous!  I bought a sample size of Sherwin Williams paint and just started painting.
   

   

   The painting was painstaking. I had so many small folds and scrunches in my fabric, at one point I got out my kids’ old water color paint brush.   You know the ones that come in the Crayola water color thing. I needed to get in those nooks and crannies. I think next time I would try spray paint.  I think it would be easier to get even coverage but who knows?  It might be drippy?

   Even though it was tedious, I am very pleased with the result.

I am now available for hire.  Pick your size and your color and I’ll go to work.  Get in early.  I usually undercharge in the beginning so now is your chance to get an Original Emily at bargain pricing.