The success you find in your projects depend mostly on the product that you use. So, the first step is to identify your project and the paint you want to use. To find a chair or couch or something to transform, I would recommend going to garage sales or second hand stores.
I never dreamed you could paint fabric, I always assumed it would turn out stiff or rough until I found out about some awesome fabric paint products! This is just a fun thing to do, to take a piece that you have already had, or even a new second hand couch or chair and transform it into a new accent piece!
This method can also be used for carpeting, upholstery, draperies, rugs, lamps, and any other cloth or fabric.
1. Choose the color/paint method
There are a lot of different fabric paints out there. You can use a spray on fabric paint or a brush on paint. The brush on paint is easy to use. There are some projects that may be easier to complete with one, rather than the other. Upholstered furniture is easily painted with a brush on fabric paint.
2. Dilute the paint
Add water to dilute the paint to a consistency that will soak into the fabric. Some are already the perfect consistency, but if you are using a heavy duty upholstery fabric (or indoor/outdoor fabric) it may need to be thinner to soak all the way into the fabric.
3.Begin to Paint
Use a brush to paint and a rag to rub it in to any areas that may be harder to soak in. Be careful about using too much paint, because if you leave paint on the surface, the fabric will turn hard and be stiff. If you let the paint soak in, the fabric should be as soft as it is supposed to be.
4. Let it Dry and Coat Again
The paint needs to dry all the way before you do anything else with it. Because the chair has indents, it may take longer to dry than normal. If necessary, put a fan on it to dry faster. This may take up to a day. Once it’s completely dry, go ahead and add another coat if you feel it is needed.
5. Sand It
This isn’t a step that has to be done, but you can try it if you want either a weathered look or you want to soften the chair up even more. Sanding the chair will break the paint up a little so it’s not as stiff and hard. However, it will leave streaks and scratches on the surface, which gives it a vintage and distressed look. If that’s not what you’re going for, then consider not doing this step.
This is fantastic! Where is the best place to buy the SoSoft paint and about how much did that blue chair use? I have an antique upholstered chair that is done in the tacky 1970’s gold/orange/green/brown; however the chair itself is gorgeous. The material is done in patchwork squares which are 3″x3″ and is very dark and bold, and the texture is not smooth. I wonder if… 1) Could I cover up those dark colors completely with fabric paint? and 2) How would the paint soak in evenly because of the texture of the fabric? Any advice? Also, what color was your chair before you painted it?