eye candy for your walls

I'll start right in with my very first tutorial.

I recently made these super-easy and very inexpensive fabric wall dots. I feel a little silly posting directions as they really are EASY, but I know someone out there will enjoy them.

First your supplies:
- any fabrics that your heart desires (fat quarters were a good size for my 10" and 12" dots)
- cake circles of your size choice(these are merely cardboard circles, which you could obviously cut yourself, but how simple to have them perfectly done for you - you can find them at Michaels or anywhere that sells cake supplies)
- scissors
- needle + thread
- fabric marker ( or other marker)
- removable foam mounting squares

That's it!

Now to get started...

1. Trace your circle on the wrong side of your desired fabric. If you want you can take the time to place the circle exactly where you want it on the fabric...make sure to leave a few inches on each side.

2. Cut around 2-3 inches outside your line.

3. Hand stitch large stitches all around the margin using doubled up thread (or for more strength, floss).

4. Pull both ends of the thread to gather the circle slightly. Insert the cardboard circle. Pull more to tighten the fabric around the circle and tie it off.

5. Press the gathers so it lays flat against the cardboard.

6. Attach the foams squares (2 or 3 per circle) and stick on the wall wherever you want.

Voila!

I love this as a fun way to showcase some of my fabrics. One of the best part is it's totally removable when you change your mind and you can even reuse the fabric after you're done with them. Certainly a similar effect could be created by using embroidery hoops, but I didn't want to have to use nails and I liked the low profile.

Now that I figured out how easy this is, I see myself putting them up all over the place. The ones I did are above a big bay window in my studio. But I think next I'd like to try an arrangement like this:

Have fun...and if you put some up, please send me a picture!

JT

Comments

[April]

I love these fabric wall dots, this would be a great way to spruce up a party. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Paige]

What a great idea! Thanks for taking the time to post the tutorial...and welcome to blogland, btw!

[Megan]

Love it! Great use of your creativity and favorite fabrics!!! thanks for sharing!

[Scott at Blue Nickel Studios]

great idea...I have a bunch of embroidery hoops piled that I was going to do this same kind of thing...Moda did it for one of their ad promos once...somewhere...
anyway...I love your alternative method!
Keep those great ideas coming!

[stacymae]

These are great and would look fantastic in a child's nursery, especially the polka dot one I dream of.

Thanks for sharing

Stace

www.kidsstuffworld.com

[CJJ]

I have seen this done with embroidery hoops but I am digging this method! Now to decide on the 'favorites' that would gain wall status. :D I am thinking it could be changed with the seasons too. Mmmmmmmm

[hannah m]

You are so clever! Here via Craft magazine (and that gorgeous dahlia table - LOVE it!) and am enjoying perusing your craftiness! So inspiring!

Thanks for sharing...

[Christine]

Hi Jessica,

This was a great idea and I snatched it up immediately. I needed something both effective and inexpensive for my living room wall. As soon as I saw your tutorial I knew I had found what I was looking for! You can see the results of your inspiration here: http://wonky-eye.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much!
Christine

[Jennifer]

exquisite

[giggles]

Fabulous idea and they look awesome!! Lovely personal style too!!

Peace Giggles

[Astreia]

Thanks for the idea!! I'm going to try it out in my classroom because I'm doing a button theme. :) These will look like big buttons. Except I'm *not* doing the holes for the buttons. :)

[Jennifer]

so cool!!! But I always expect that from you...

[Melissa]

These are lovely and what a wonderful alternative to using embroidery hoops! Thanks for sharing!

[Abbi]

I did a similar thing with scrapbook paper--created an impromptu 'platter' for some cupcakes I made.

I think we're going to do something similar for my step-daughters' room. They want polka-dots, but I'm not too keen on the idea of permanently painting the walls. This will be a great solution!

[becky]

I have a huge blank wall in my bedroom that this will be perfect for and a lot cheaper than the painting i was considering.