Monday, May 16, 2011

Hand Stenciled Zebra Print Fabric

Even though spray paint was technically invented in 1949 by a man, Edward Seymour, it was his wife Bonnie who asked him to come up with it. 

It wasn't clear what she hoped to do with her paint in a can but my guess is it wasn't painting fabric for her dining room chairs.  



But, why not?  I was tired of the fabric on my dining room chairs.  I paid $50 a yard for it so I've had to 
live with it (and myself) for a long time.  




I was in love with a fabric and a color that existed only in my head.  I'd have to create it myself.  

I'm lovin' my new look...



And, what's not to love?  The new fabric was cheap (painted on drop cloth fabric with 2 cans of spray paint) and easy.


***
 
The zebra like stencil pattern was cut from poster board and the back side was coated with spray adhesive.

The stencil was pressed onto the fabric.


 I used the darker bronze color first.  It's a metallic but it doesn't look metallic on fabric, thank goodness.  I sprayed it on lightly -- not saturating the fabric so it wouldn't be stiff. 

Then, I used the avocado paint to get the illusive color I was looking for.
 ***


 Hot dog!

I'm showing this project off here...




If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!
Posted by Lindy
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48 comments:

  1. maizie clarkeMay 16, 2011 at 7:08 PM

    I love LOVE this!!!

    Thanks for sharing!!

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  2. Country Wings in PhoenixMay 16, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    Hi Lindy Sweetie...
    What a gorgeous makeover. I simply love your choice of colors, and what a fun way to make a stencil. You are so darn creative. I love it. How beautiful these chairs look with the new makeover. The before and after are terrific.

    My DIL has been wanting zebra print for her bedroom, and I believe that drop cloths would work for this. I could paint with a can just like you did. Thank you for the wonderful idea. And not really expensive either, and I do believe it would be heavy enough to keep the sun out.

    Have a great week sweet friend. Thank you again for the wonderful tip. Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  3. Barb@curlywillowdiyMay 16, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    What a great idea-crazy good!

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  4. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Wow-these chairs look amazing!!

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  5. Michelle @ Dream Home DIYMay 16, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    Stunning, absolutely stunning :0) Is it crunchy feeling at all?? Id love to paint a bit of fabric we have but the mister is afraid of that super crunch factor a lot of painted fabric tends to get....

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  6. ChrissieMay 16, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I love the fun new look!

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  7. ℳartina @ Northern NestingMay 16, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    OMG Lindy I love it!!

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  8. NanaDianaMay 16, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    Great looking pattern-you did good, girl-very good! hugs- Diana

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  9. All That GlittersMay 16, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    ooooh......I like!

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  10. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Wonderful Project! I love the way you mixed spray paints.

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  11. The Sterling CherubMay 16, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    Wow, are you ever creative! The chair seat re-do looks fantastic! Love the pattern of your stencil, too.

    Nicely done!

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  12. The Inspired NestMay 16, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Super cool! I love the color and the pattern is just right!
    Lacy

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  13. TammyMay 16, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Looks great and to think it was spray paint..thanks for sharing the updated dining chair look..so cool
    tammy

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  14. Amanda @ Serenity NowMay 16, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    I think it looks great!! Love the colors too. :) Visiting from The Stories of A to Z! Hope you'll stop by my blog too. :)

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  15. The Polka Dot ClosetMay 16, 2011 at 9:11 PM

    I have never tried painting fabric, I love it, it turned out fabulous!!


    Carol

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  16. ArabellaMay 16, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    That's amazing - it looks like a very expensive printed fabric. Well done!!

    Happy Nifty Thrifty Tuesday :O)

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  17. halloweencoupleMay 16, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    I love this, spray paint comes in such awesome colors now days :)

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  18. Honey at 2805May 16, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    super neat idea..the chairs look great!

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  19. idesignMay 16, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    very cool project, love how the fabric turned out! visiting from tutorial tuesday, come by for a visit sometime :)

    Jackie
    http://jaclyndesigns.blogspot.com

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  20. UnknownMay 16, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    Most awesome! That turned out great! What a wonderful idea-thanks for sharing it. :)

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  21. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comMay 16, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Great job, I love the zebra.It really adds an updated look to your chairs.

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  22. FarahMay 17, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Very perfect job... looking great
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/
    Love
    Farah

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  23. Homemade HeatherMay 17, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    WOW!!! Love it! Fab job! Thanks for sharing ~ please come by and say hi sometime!

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  24. SueannMay 17, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Love it!! Fabulous!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  25. UnknownMay 17, 2011 at 5:53 AM

    The two colors look great together! Love the pattern. What a fun, quick update.

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  26. Lisa {grey luster girl}May 17, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    I'm lovin your new look too!

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  27. HeatherMay 17, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    What a great idea. It really gives the chair a lovely update.

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  28. KaraMay 17, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    This turned out great!! Love the fact that you did it for super cheap too, especially after spending so much on the first fabric. Ahh...the miracles of spray paint...the world would be a lesser place without it!

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  29. Steph @ BirdhouseMay 17, 2011 at 6:23 PM

    Looks great! I wonder about the spray adhesive though. From my experience, it stays tacky for a while and light colored surfaces tend to accumulated dust and dirt. Did you notice that at all?

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  30. Joselyn @ The DIY Spot.comMay 17, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    This is a first. Spray painting with stencils. Neat! Just curious how the fabric feels. It looks beautiful.

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  31. abeachcottageMay 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Love what you did! Looks great, thanks for stopping by Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays and joining the party.

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  32. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalMay 18, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    What a great idea. It turned out so good and you got the color just like you wanted.

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  33. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereMay 18, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Hi Lindy! Where do you come up with all these great ideas? The seats look amazing! This could pass for very expensive hand screened fabric. Love it.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  34. MichelleMay 18, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Okay now, THAT is impressive! It turned out great! I would love for you to come link up at DIY Thrifty Thursday @ http://thrifty101.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-thrifty-thursday-16.html
    Michelle

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  35. LaurenMay 19, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Great job!! I love spray paint!

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  36. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleMay 19, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Lindy, more wonderful artistic creativity from you. Love that design! Thanks for joining the party.

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  37. AmandaMay 20, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    This is fabulous! You are one clever and crafty girl! Nice work! Have a wonderful weekend, Lindy!
    Blessings,
    Amanda

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  38. Courtney ~ French Country CottageMay 20, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    You amaze me Lindy~ this is fantastic!Thanks for linking up this week! :)

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  39. Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart)May 22, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    How creative, this looks great. hugs ~lynne~

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  40. AtticmagMay 23, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Very clever and effective. It's always so great to get the look you want for the house. Hope you'll stop by and take our tour. Jane

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  41. AshleeMay 23, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    Oh my gosh, this is amazing! I've never thought of spray painting fabric. Way to go.

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  42. DecRenew Interiors May 23, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    So awesome! I'm from Africa so this really makes me LOVE it!

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  43. JacquelineMay 24, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    This is so cute! I love the stencil idea for an old worn out chair that I might have thrown away. Great idea.

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  44. Funky Junk InteriorsMay 28, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Wow, this is a really awesome look. Very nice tutorial as well. Stunning outcome!

    Shared this on FJI Facebook for SNS 83. :)

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Funky-Junk-Interiors/175378011140#!/photo.php?fbid=10150258198191141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater

    Donna

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  45. JonathanMay 29, 2011 at 1:23 AM

    I love you because you think of ideas and then you actually do them, rather than sitting around talking about it. I've been wanting to paint a chair's upholstery, and you gave me hope that it can be done. Thank you!

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  46. D+BJune 4, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Love your blog!! I am definitely going to be your new follower :) I would love it if you followed me to @ for.the.luv.of.blogspot.com that would be great :) I am just starting out, but I am excited to share new recipes, crafts, and makeup.. And Giving away giveaways on mineral make-up!!

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  47. Tracy@GeneralSplendourJune 18, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Great chair - congrats! I found you via Google when I put in spray painting fabric chairs. Just bought four gorgeous dining chairs off of Craigslist and want to change them to a light grey. Thanks for sharing your results!

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  48. Katie OlthoffJuly 24, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    found this by googling! LOVE it!

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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.

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