October 5, 2010

Fabric And Liquid Starch Furniture Transformation

Grab your favorite fabric, soak it in liquid starch and cover your furniture.  It is a great way to cover  almost anything with fabric. 


Here is my subject, a blanket chest.


The supplies are liquid starch, pocket cutter with a new sharp blade, wallpaper brush, and of course your favorite fabric.  Liquid starch is a little hard to find, it use to be everywhere, but it is no longer available at my Target, Kmart, or Walgreens.  I did a little internet search and found it at Winn Dixie a grocery store chain we have in the south.


I decided to apply the fabric in 3 pieces, it could have been done in one piece, but since I was doing it alone and the fabric is heavy when it is wet, I cut 3 pieces of fabric larger than what I was covering.


Completely wet your fabric in starch.  To get the excess starch out, run the fabric between your 2 fingers.  If you scrunch the fabric up to get the excess starch out you will end up with wrinkles. 

Did I mention this is a messy project, you will want to do it outside or put plastic down.



Put your wet fabric on your furniture and smooth out the bubbles.  I use a wallpaper brush, but you can use your hands.  The air bubbles are not as bad as gluing paper or wallpaper, as fabric breaths.


Use your pocket cutter and trim off the excess fabric.  The fabric cuts very easy, just like wallpaper.


Here it is all trimmed up


And Finished!  I added a little cushion in matching fabric.

Back in my Boudoir!




Here is the best part!!   For those of you who change your decor as often as some people change underwear.........It is removable and reusable!!!!  To reuse, pull up a corner and peel it off, or wet it slightly.  Now, just throw the fabric in the washer to get the starch out and use it for another project!!!  Then just wipe down the surface it was on and it will be back to it's original finish.  I have used many different fabrics, the only ones I would not use are those that run when wet, so you will want to test a small piece.

Fabric wet with starch will adhere to almost any surface.  You could use it to cover:

1. Any furniture or drawer fronts
2. Line the inside of drawers
3. Backing for china cabinets
4. Cover the glass in old windows used for decorating
5. Dress forms
6. Mirrors
7.  On painted walls instead of wallpaper.

I will post some more projects I did with fabric and starch next week.

What projects have you done with fabric and starch?

Happy creating!!

Carol

I am linking up with Cheap Chic Home "Fabric Fun Thursday and 
Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Feature Friday
Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday










41 comments:

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Wow Carol you have blown my tiny mind!!! I had never thought of that and yes it makes sense it would work wonderfully on the projects you named! I will have to check my local stores and see if any of them have liquid starch. I can hardly wait to see what else you have done with it!
I have already thought of some great uses and it would be very economical also. Thanks a bunch Carol.
Tina xo

La said...

Carol! This is amazing. That would look great in my bedroom. I certainly hope you submitted this to the magazine. It is stunning! La

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

oooooh it looks beautiful too !
Well I did wallpaper...uh I guess that would be "fabric" a wall once. Don't think I'd have the patience to do it again though ... but doing a chest, maybe!
(())
Francie

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

Hi Carol :) I have seen this process done on an HGTV show a long time ago, and placed on the walls (below the chair rail). Your blanket chest looks wonderful with the pretty rose fabric, and your bedroom looks so dreamy!! Love your Chandy!

Warmest hugs, Brenda

Gina said...

That's great! Your blanket chest is beautiful & it looks fabulous in your bedroom.

Debbie said...

I love your blanket chest and think it looks beautiful! I had never thought about using this technique on the furniture.

I want to do it on the walls. I haven't yet. I keep thinking that it would be super in a dorm room. I have done it on some decorative things like a set of chargers. I painted the chargers and then I switch out the fabrics when I want to. Works for me...

But NOTHING as cute as your starched blanket chest.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Carol,
I haven't tried projects using liquid starch, but I think that's about to change! LOL!

I love how your chest turned out. It looks so pretty and the fabric is so sweet.

hugs
Sissie

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I better run out tomorrow and find some liquid starch...that is AWESOME!!! You have the best ideas! I have some very ugly closet doors...hummmm better find some fabric for them!
Also read the post about your "special" find...scary!!! Can't think of any good accidental finds...
Your bedroom is so pretty!
Warmly,
deb :)

kelly said...

Carol this looks wonderful. Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday , becoming a follower and leaving lovely comments. I saw that you won the prize on Tea Cup Stitches. (That is where I found you) So glad I have found you. Your projects are really inspiring. I went out to second hand stores today. I looked out for anything with porcelain roses and I looked at anything that could be used for material. There's a whole new way of looking at things.
Thanks for the inspiration.

Kelly

Michelle said...

Wow Carol! Your blanket chest looks beautiful! I've never heard of this method before...thanks for sharing this! :)

Blessed Serendipity said...

Wow I didn't ever try this on furniture. I am going to have to try this. I have starched fabric on my walls and it did come off very easily and cleanly. Your trunk came out so cute!

-Danielle

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Fun project! And I love that it is easily removable, too! Thanks for sharing!

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

Carol you are just a wealth of knowledge!!!!! I have never done this before but now you have me thinking what I could do this with, ha!!!

Hugs,
Jacalyn

Unknown said...

Oh just stunning and delish! I want to borrow that room, lay there, read a good book, take a nap and wake up and be told prince charming is waiting for me outside on his horse (grins).
Thanks for sharing!
Roselle

Life on the Edge said...

I came her from "Far Above Rubies" and I have to say, this was a great post! I love this idea, and to know that it can easily be peeled off once you get tired of it...well, wow! There are so many possibilities. I never thought to use this as wallpaper. I wonder if I could do this since I rent. Hmmm.

Great post!

Kady
Life on the Edge

Debbiedoos said...

Carol who knew you could do that? You did, and it is fantastic. I really like the idea...now what can I liquid starch? My kids? My husband? hmmmmmm....
loved your project!

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Hi Carol!
You are one clever lady!! Your project turned out so cute and a real shabby chic transformation!
My mind is racing with ideas!
Thanks for sharing this fun - although messy :-)) technique!!!
Hugs,
Lynn

KimMalk said...

Carol, this is such a great post! I've seen this technique done in lieu of wallpaper, but not on other items. I think you've opened up a world of options for us.

Jen T said...

Hey Carol! That is SO clever! I love how versatile this project is - thanks for posting it. I'm in the south, so hopefully I can find some liquid starch!

Ginger said...

Great idea and your trunk is beautiful. Thanks

Stephanie said...

I just saw this on Miss Mustard Seed's link party and had to click over. I just did this same type of treatment in my pantry on my walls! http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/2010/09/pantry-revived/ Never thought about using it on furniture! Great idea!

Susan said...

I will have to try that on some project. I WONDER IF IT WOULD WORK ON SHOE BOXES. ?

Anonymous said...

Well...aren't you clever! Never ever thought of doing this and will stash the idea back in the recesses of my feeble little mind. And your boudoir is so ethereal and romantic looking.....love it! Yep, Girl we are going junking and I would dearly love it if you were joining us. What fun we would have! xoxo

Melissa said...

Thanks for your comment! Hope you will stop by and follow Simple as 1-2-3 ! Your blog is way cute!!

. said...

Carol - since I can't email you, I'm posting here in hopes you'll receive this....I have given you an award!! :)

Stop by my blog and just follow the instructions to accept it!

http://wherebeautymeetsfunction.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-received-award.html

Alison said...

Wow -- Thanks so much for posting this! I am already thinking about what I can cover with fabric using this easy method! Love your creations!
Alison

Unknown said...

This is an amazing idea Carol! I have so much fabric from when I worked at a Design showroom. Hmm, now what can I cover in my house....

KimMalk said...

FYI, I featured this today.

Pam Kessler said...

I totally forgot about the liquid starch until I read your post. Thanks for reminding me.

Debbiedoos said...

Thanks Carol for joining:)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol.
What a fantastic idea!! I will be sending Joe out looking for liquid starch soon!!
Thanks for letting us know about this great transforming tool!! LOL!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Christine said...

I had never heard of this, thank you for posting! I will need to find this. I wonder....is the starch removable from glass? I have an awkward window that needs a cover but drapes won't work.....

the old white house said...

I missed this post...GENIUS! I love the way your brain works :) I just went through some of your posts and am thrilled with all of the things I can recreate with starch! You have been as busy as I have with my pumpkins... I am loving all of your new things! Theresa xoxo

best furniture Chicago said...

I specially like the cover of those sofas. Now i can get some idea to redecorate the interiors of my house.

Cheyenne said...

This room is so dreamy. I'm having fun looking through your blog!

Dolunay -Alanayarts said...

vaaooov muhteşem olmuş.bravo!

Cherub Cottage said...

OMG how creative is this...I always have that blue jug of starch in my house...My hubby uses it on his uniforms {we purchase it at Wal-Mart}
I love this idea I am going to create something with it. Thanks :)

Maki said...

I loved you starch fabric project when I first started following you.
Now many months have gone by & today is the first time I've tried it. I
had bought some fabric from GW back in the summer. Turq. & white stripes.
($1.00 yd, still on the bolt. After
my hubby built some bookcases for me I thought they needed a perk-up so this morning I added this fabric to the backs. So easy & I love the look. Lots of fabric left so got to think of a couple of other ways to use it in this room. A pillow maybe, for one.
Thanks so much for posting this fun technique! Maki


Sandy said...

I did a family room with brown craft paper & starch... looked wonderful. I wrapped the ceiling fan blades and the mirror frame all in the same technique. Some areas I stamped with a gold color... some areas I tore images in the brown craft paper for someone to find. It was fun & creative and made it look like an English Library.

Ashlee Rolfson said...

Wow, what a fantastic and informative blog post! I was originally drawn here to learn more about the fabric and liquid starch furniture technique, and I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed with the creative ideas and inspiration shared.
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Back to the main topic of the blog, I must say, the furniture transformation techniques shared here are truly fascinating. I can't wait to try them out and add a personal touch to my home decor.