I have done my fair share of fabric painting and have learned a lot through trial and error. I love the process of painting on fabric because it really allows you to get the exact color and design you want at a relatively low cost. I thought I would put together a list of recommendations and products that I use to help you achieve maximum results when attempting to paint or stencil fabric. Here is what I have learned along the way…
2. If you are worried about bleed through and splotchiness from the back you either have to go with a heavier weight fabric or you have to really saturate your thin fabric so that the back is painted through too to avoid the uneven coverage. On this birth announcement pillow I used a heavier weight canvas to avoid that issue.
3. You can purchase a textile medium to mix in the latex paint if you want it to be less stiff. I generally don’t use it on household items like rugs and curtains because I don’t mind it stiffer. The textile medium does help with stiffness but it does not completely take it away so I find it adds to the cost of the project when it doesn’t make a huge difference. However, I recommend using a textile medium mixed with latex on clothes or anything that will come in contact with your skin. Stiffness on clothes is not comfy. Here is a project I used with latex paint and the textile medium…
4. If you want to avoid the textile medium altogether I love the Simply Screen paints from Plaid for painting small projects. It is meant for screen painting but it is a nice fabric paint to use on any painted fabric project too. It washes well, stays true to color, and isn’t stiff at all. Here is a shirt using the Simply Screen paints that I did for Kayla’s third birthday.
5. If you use a stencil I recommend using a stencil spray or a repositionable spray adhesive to help keep your stencil in place. This will help to keep your stencil in place when you roll the paint on. Here is the fabric upholstered headboard I did using a stencil and spray adhesive to hold it in place.
Painted Fabric Upholstered Bed
6. Use a small foam roller when painting a large surface area not a nap roller. A foam roller dispenses a good amount of paint. A nap roller dispenses too much and can cause bleeding.
7. I recommend only using one coat of paint but maybe just rolling it and pressing it into the fabric to saturate it. If you are painting a light paint over dark fabric I will let the paint soak in for 2-5 minutes and then roll over it again. They key is not to let it dry and then paint over it – that doesn’t work. Here is a great example of that process.
8. Work in small sections, maybe a 12” square piece at a time. It is easier to correct mistakes on a small area.
9. I also recommend removing your stencil or tape right away (while your paint is still wet) so that you avoid the chance of bleed through.
10. Spray painting also works well on fabric but you will get more of a faded coverage rather than a really saturated one unless your really let it soak in and give it multiple coats. But sometimes that is the look you want. I did that on an outdoor rug and it turned out just like I wanted it to.
Here is a short list of products that I have used. I am sure similar products will work but this is just the short list of ones I have used personally and can endorse.
Simply Screen Paint 
Simply Screen – fun to make small screen-printed projects
Foam Roller
Martha Stewart Stencil Adhesive Spray
I hope these little tips help you next time you try a painted fabric project. I got a ton of questions about my painted striped curtains so I thought I would share what I know. Do you have any tips to add to this list?
I’m debating painting my plaid sofa. Have you ever done something like that? I’m curious how it turns out.
No I haven’t but check out Debbie Beard’s painted couch. You can google it. It is pretty cool
great post. very helpful. thanks for the info.
Wow, really helpful post! Thanks for the info!
Thanks Beckie!! What helpful tips! I’m bookmarking! Have a blessed day!
Thank you for all yours ideas and tanks for share. Kiss from Spain
Thanks for the tips and tricks! I’ve never tried painting fabric, but I’d love to. Especially after seeing your painted curtains!
Debbie
Many thanks for putting all of the tips in one listing. I did fabric painting a long time ago and was frustrated with the stiffness and saturation issues. I think the new products and application tools make these projects much more successful. I hope to send you some of my results!
What about patio furniture? I have some patio porch cushions that look terrible, but the fabric is good. If so, what paint would you suggest? Great tutorial!
You could certainly try. I am not sure how it would work. I would probably try a latex paint mixed with a fabric medium.
Heey, I want to make a banner, thinking of using Latex paint,
but i was wondering if the way of letting it dry can help te let it chip less when it is dry…
i know with clothes that after washing they dry more soft and flexibel in the wind then just in the plain sun. does this aply to painting aswel? and maybe more thiner layers?
thanks
I don’t see why it would chip if you paint fabric. I usually don’t have that problem. If you want it to wash well or be softer, use a fabric medium mixed with your paint. Hope that helps.
I have upholstered a rocking chair. The back cushion is double thick linen. however since doing it i am wanting to stencil a small section of it with black as it is very plain. I am not going to be able to remove the material. Is it possible to apply with a stencil the paint direct to the material with the foam underneith or will it not work.
Thanks
Sure, that will work. Just tape your stencil down really taut. I would use a small pounce foam brush and do light coats. Then slowly pull back and see how it turned out. If you have anything to touch up, take a fine brush and do that. Good luck!