Using Spray Starch to Adhere Fabric | Days of Chalk and Chocolate

Using Spray Starch to Adhere Fabric

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Hi all! I'm so excited to show you my latest project:  Adhering fabric to the back of my china hutch!  Want to know how to do it?  Read on!

So I revealed my china hutch the other day. It's not finished. But I wanted give a little info on how I was able to adhere the fabric to the back. It was SO easy!




First I measured the back of each shelf area and then cut the fabric to that size. Then I held it to the back to check the size...perfect!

HA HA HA HA!  That was funny, wasn't it?  Hold on while I wipe my eyes. Ok, there. So we all know what really happened. I measured, then cut, then held it up to the back to  check the size which was WAY off. So I eyeballed the amount I needed to trim and cut it crookedly. So then I had to trim it some more to even it out. Of course, then it was too small on a side so I had to ditch it and do it again. Except this time instead of trimming it by eyeballing it and I just ran my open scissors along the crease. Perfect!  HA HA!  HA HA!  I did it again!  Bazinga!  I kill me. So again I had to trim it and then decided it was just fine if it wasn't perfect because really, is anything in life perfect?

Then I got out my new favorite product.

Spray starch!  You know my mom actually uses this stuff to iron my dad's shirts??  I'm not sure which is cuter...the fact she irons or the fact she uses spray starch for its intended purpose. She's so quaint. Anyway, buy the aerosol kind not this one but it's the same stuff. Some brands call it sizing.

I sprayed the back of the cabinet pretty heavily. It smells purty. Then I just stuck the fabric on top and moved it until it was in the position I wanted. It dries quickly but you still have plenty of time to move the fabric around. Then I just sprayed under and over the fabric, smoothing it out as I went.

The best part is that when I tire of this print I can just peel it off, wipe the back of the cabinet, and adhere something else. If I wash the fabric then I can use that for something else too!

There is so much you can do with this method. As a teacher, my mind started reeling. Wouldn't it be cute to adhere a big fabric tree to a wall and then change out the leaves, flowers, branches, etc. for the seasons? Or how about having kids make different planets using fabric and creating a fabric solar system?  Then they could create their own planets and decorate them in crazy fabrics and use it a a creative writing prompt. 

I will make a confession. I have a white blouse hat is super thin and gauzy. I tried the spray starch on it while I ironed it and wow, it is awesomely pressed and crisp. So while I poke fun at my mommy, she is a smart lady who irons a mean shirt.


In other news,  I spent the day in a great third grade and tomorrow I'm in second. I am finding myself loving being back in a classroom and I am leaning toward going back in September. I'd love to do part time but full time may be ok too. But as soon as I made that decision I changed my mind when I rocked Ellie before bed. I felt like I hadn't seen her all day (which I really hadn't) and I also didn't have any alone time with her. So then I decided I wasn't going back! LOL! I guess we'll see what happens as the time gets closer.

Cheers!
Jenny

27 comments:

  1. First of all, this looks amazing and it's such a great tip! I recently tried putting fabric up in a cabinet and struggled with cutting it as well! I finally gave up. :) Maybe I'll try again. Second of all, I can empathize with your teaching dilemma! I miss the classroom but love being home...

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  2. This is so good to know, because that spray adhesive (glue spray) stinks! I'm always thinking about lung cancer while I use it on projects! lol I'll have to try starch next time.

    --Katie
    @ Creatively Living

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  3. I love those dishes!! I wanted them but they didn't have enough for me to have a set at TJ Maxx. They look beautiful!

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  4. Love the grey and yellow dishes! Thank you so much for the tip! I'm in the process of adhering fabric to the backsplash of my pantry shelves. Will I need to smooth out the surface (sand) or will it stick to textured walls? Mmmmm... Hope you stop by Sweet Ava Kate. I'm your newest follower! Hope you follow me too!

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  5. Great tip I never knew this! I do remember one time as a child spraying the wall of our rec room with starch...got in loads of trouble for that one! If I had only known about this I may have skirted a punishment!

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  6. what a great project! I don't even know where my ironing board is let alone owning spray starch. you are miles ahead of me LOL

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  7. I love how this turned out! It' such a nice alternative to painting or wallpaper!

    We have our first ever Beautify It Monday link party going on right now - we'd love it if you stopped by to link up!

    BringingBeauty.blogspot.com

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  8. What an awesome idea! I didn't realize you could use starch. I would have used glue, and it would have been permanent. This is a much better idea.
    I used to use starch as a kid to iron pillowcases. I love the smell of it. I haven't used it in years now, so I barely remember how it smells and feels! It might be kind of nostalgic to do this project!

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  9. and i have seen the finished product so i know how beautiful it is! that fabric was a great choice!

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  10. Great tip...have to try this as your turned out so cute!
    I would love if you stopped by to my Creative inspirations Linky Party opening late tonight to link this up! I would love to have you there!
    Stacey of Embracing Change
    http://staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com

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  11. I love the fact that the fabric goes perfectly with your dishes! So nice to hear from a DIY'er who confesses the reality of some projects! I can't measure for beans either! Numerically challenged unite!

    Tammy

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  12. You are a genius! I never thought of using spray starch. I have some. I use it when I iron linens. I'm quaint, too! lol I think I better follow you now so I don't miss anything! ~ Maureen

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  13. Your cabinet and dishes look great. It's funny how I found you this evening as I just tried this today. I wanted to adhere fabric to some cabinet doors, but the fabric kept falling off. First I thought I didn't have enough of the starch, but then it was dripping with starch and it kept falling down. What did I do wrong? What type of fabric did you use?
    Joy
    thriftyparsonageliving at g mail dot com

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  14. Looks great! Awesome idea, too! Glad to have you at Things I've Done Thursday!

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  15. That is such a cool idea! You're right, there are SOO many ways you could use that.:) Thanks for letting us in on it.:)

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  16. This is AWESOME!! I have been wondering how people did that! Thanks so much for sharing this! I think it is gorgeous and I am so excited to try out this technique! Thanks for linking to the Stache Party! I featured this!

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  17. I am so glad I found this post! I was just about to try to do a painting technique or something on the back of a bookcase--then saw this and decided I can use my favorite fabric! How awesome! The part I love is I can take it out later and make a pillow or something. Perfect! This is why I like blogging so much..it just makes life better! TFS!

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  18. Oh my gosh GENIUS! Not to mention I love your fabric, but what a great idea to adhere the fabric.

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  19. Great idea! I have some built-ins that are crying for something like this!

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  20. such a fabulous effect!

    hope you'll visit soon--a great giveaway hapenning:

    http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-giveaway.html

    smiles.

    michele

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  21. Visiting from facebook via finding home. Fabulous Makeover. I LOVE that fabric. And it looks so easy! Gonna have to try that on my China cabinet. Thanks for sharing. Adding you to my follow list.
    Angie

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  22. What a great idea, haven't heard of this one, and definitely must try. By the way, hehe - I used to use Niagra spray starch whenever I ironed. I miss it, will have to get some today!! Thanks for sharing this idea. ~ Abby

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  23. Found your blog through Shabby Creek Cottage and I love this! I have something similar I want to do but I had no idea you could use spray starch so thanks for sharing and I'm now following you to see what other amazing ideas you come up with (no pressure of course ;-)

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  24. So, I'm wondering: It's a year later, did it stick well? Does the starch damage the wood? I'd like to do something like this, but the piece is a family heirloom and I'm afraid granny would have a stroke if I damaged the wood.

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    1. Mary, I had one corner peel off recently but a little starch stuck it on again. It didn't seem to damage anything! Thanks for asking!

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  25. Have you tried sticking it to the side of a file cabinet? Want to use mine as a bulletin board in my classroom.

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  26. Love it! You are very funny, totes relate to the thinking ironing shirts with starch is quaint and the difficulty in cutting the fabric right. lol

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Thanks for your comments!