How to turn vintage fabric into art

I have a closet full of vintage fabric that I have collected over the years.  For the most part, I have used it to make and sell things in my Etsy shop.  Pillows, bags, cuffs, and other odds and ends.
I love these fabrics so much for their texture, color and character.  I don’t want them to be hidden away in the closet any longer.  I want to display them and be able to see them every day, so I am working on creating a wall with frames and hoops full of colorful vintage fabrics.  This was my first project.
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I started with a trip to the local thrift store where I scored a 69-cent wooden frame and a $1.50 wooden bowl.
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The bowl isn’t for a craft project, I just thought it was pretty.
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I looked for a frame with interesting shape and texture, then headed over to Michael’s for paint and a brush.
Painting was fun although a bit messy.
I have been learning embroidery techniques recently from Wild Olive and used some coordinating thread to add interesting texture to a couple of the flowers.
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After the paint dried, I used sandpaper to rough the frame up a bit and give it more of a rustic look.  Then I wrapped the fabric around the original glass, taped it up and put the back of the frame back on.
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I think it turned out pretty, don’t you?  Next week I will show you some of the hoops I have been working on!

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  • Jiggs June 16, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    Love it!

  • LifestyleBohemia June 16, 2011 at 9:25 pm

    I love this! I have a vintage Dior scarf and you've just given me a great idea – I am definitely going to frame it!
    xx

  • Katie June 17, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Oh, I love this! This would be a great project for a studio space. I love that bowl too. It's just the type of thing I would pick up at a thrift store.

  • Mollie. June 18, 2011 at 2:10 am

    Yay! What a lovely piece…and the embroidery takes it from fabric to art. Nicely done.

  • Alysa June 18, 2011 at 8:25 pm

    Jiggs, thanks!

    Lifestyle Bohemia, I would love to see your framed scarf!

    Katie, thanks, I love good thrifty finds!

    Mollie, thank you so much for the inspiration and tutoring 🙂

  • Anonymous June 21, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    Super Cute!! It is hard to tell the dimensions from the photos, but if the gorgeous fabric was under the glass, I immediately thought it would make a cute drink serving tray. (With the frame prop removed from the back.)