How to Paint Your Own Patterned Fabric

I am obsessed with today’s post. OBSESSED. There is something SO satisfying about painting patterns  – especially when they are this simple. Now, let’s bet clear. I do NOT consider myself an artist by any stretch of the imagination. I’m a crafter who masquerades as an artist from time to time. Today is one of those times. I’m teaching you some incredibly easy techniques for painting fabric…and once you’ve painted your fabric you can head over to Creativebug to see how a few simple stitches can turn your fabric into a adorable zipper pouch.

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

First, let’s talk supplies. There are a few things I recommend when it comes to painting fabric and you’ll see them all here!

  1. Round Foam Pouncers – these are ESSENTIAL for making perfect polka dots and awesome fruit shapes
  2. So Soft Fabric Paint – this stuff will make you wonder why you ever used another fabric paint!
  3. A set of brushes – I Love THESE from Target. Having an assortment of brushes is key. They’ll allow you to paint different details and create varied brushstrokes.
  4. Acrylic Paint – this comes in huge selection of colors so if the shade you need is not available in So Soft fabric paint, you can use your acrylic paint
  5. Fabric Medium – if you are going to use acrylic craft paints, you MUST mix it with Fabric Medium to make the paint softer and more flexible.
  6. Matte Fuse – this iron on vinyl is GREAT for transforming your painted fabric into a oilcloth-like material. Perfect for making durable projects like seat covers or makeup bags
  7. White Canvas Fabric – this will be the base for your painted fabrics
  8. A spray bottle filled with water – this is  perfect for spraying on to your fabric to prepare it for painting. This is especially useful when you want your paints to blend nicely.
  9. Paint Palettes- duh.

CHECK OUT THIS FACEBOOK LIVE SHARING EVEN MORE TIPS OF CREATING YOUR OWN FABRIC!

HOW TO PAINT A BRUSHSTROKE BACKGROUND FABRIC

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask loveSTEP ONE:

Add acrylic paint and fabric medium to a plate or bowl. You should mix one part fabric medium to one part paint.

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP TWO:

Blend the mixture together to create a smooth, well mixed paint
How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP THREE: 

Spray your white canvas fabric until it is damp with water

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP FOUR:

Use a wide paint brush and gentle stroke on your fabric. This will create a beautiful brushstroke effect.

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP FIVE: 

To add dimension to your brushstroke pattern, add a darker shade of paint to your palette and mix well. This will create a slightly darker shade of the same color

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP SIX:

Now, use the same brush and the same gentle brushstroke to go over your fabric,

HOW TO PAINT A CITRUS PATTERNED FABRIC

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask loveSTEP ONE:

Use the circle foam pouncer to create circle shapes on the fabric. You DO NOT need to spray your fabric with water to create this pattern. By leaving the fabric dry, you will get more defined circles to create your citrus pattern.

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP TWO:

To make lemons, use the pouncer to place a yellow circle on the pattern. Then use a medium size brush to drag the paint out of the circle to create rounded points on both ends.

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP THREE:

Use a fine detail brush and green fabric paint to create leaves

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

STEP FOUR:

Use a thin pointed brush to add dot details to each citrus fruit. You can also add dots to fill in the white space on the pattern. BEWARE, THIS GETS VERY ADDICTIVE!!

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

Once you are done making your patterned fabric, you have a ton of options for how you will use it! I love to use iron-on vinyl to add a protective layer on the fabric. Then you can use your Cricut Maker to cut the fabric and use it to make an adorable zipper pouch!

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

How to Paint your own Patterned Fabric | damask love

NOW FOR SOME EXCITING NEWS!! WE’RE PARTNERING WITH DECOART TO GIVEAWAY A FULL SET OF SO SOFT FABRIC PAINTS!! THAT’S 40+ BOTTLES OF PAINT!

Don’t forget to use all the entry options! Each option has a point value and you have the chance to submit up to 15 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

AND JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO WIN MORE THINGS!!! YOU CAN ENTER HERE TO WIN A $250 GIFT CARD TO JOANN OR A 12-MONTH SUBSCRIPTION TO CREATIVEBUG!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Keep on crafting with these other posts

About the Blog

Hey, I’m Amber Kemp-Gerstel - the crafty brain behind Damask Love, where creativity, color, and a little chaos come together. I’m a suburban mom of two, known for turning up the volume on everyday DIYs and showing up like your colorful, crafty BFF. Over the years, I’ve gone from psychologist to full-time content creator, TV host, and brand partner, with appearances on Making It, Today, and HGTV. When I’m not making stuff or on set, I’m chasing around my two boys, Markus and Maxwell, and laughing my way through the mess.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

70 Comments

  1. 2.15.18
    Linda Williamson said:

    I probably paint some geometric shapes, dashes, hashtags, etc. Thanks for the video. Loved it.

  2. 2.15.18
    Edna Pendleton said:

    Love the painted fabric.

  3. 2.15.18
    Lina said:

    something quirky and geometric

  4. 2.15.18
    teresa said:

    Love the tutorial today on making the makeup bags

  5. 2.15.18
    Stephani Vick said:

    I would love to do a brush strike pattern. I love that it can be customized with any color palette!

  6. 2.15.18
    Michelle McFarland said:

    I would to make a table runner and monogram it. I just got married, and funds are low right now but soon I will make it. Amber I will be sure to tag you. I am new to your videos and have literally fall in love with your energy. Cant wait to make

  7. 2.15.18
    Wendy said:

    I would definitely paint strawberries for my daughters next bday party…but in a different color than the tipical red

  8. 2.15.18
    Jeanne Beam said:

    I love the brush strokes. Thanks for sharing..

  9. 2.15.18
    Marcella said:

    Love the fabric tutorial! You are my craft inspiration, Amber! Wouldn’t have my Cricut without having watched you. ❤️

  10. 2.15.18
    Mari Johnson said:

    I would paint flowers or polka dots, or both.

  11. 2.15.18
    Amanda F said:

    Looks so fun! I’ll have to break outta my shell and try it!

  12. 2.15.18
    Emily said:

    I’d paint either some abstract patterns or try my hand at some abstract florals for spring!

  13. 2.15.18
    Allison said:

    Such a cool idea!

  14. 2.15.18
    Melissa Page said:

    I would try all of them!!!!!

  15. 2.15.18
    Linda Davis said:

    This video is giving me CRAFT INSPIRATION!

  16. 2.15.18
    Janice said:

    I would paint the citrus

  17. 2.15.18
    P boszko said:

    So much fun!

  18. 2.15.18
    BriAnne Bentivegna said:

    I would definitely start with a brush stroke pattern! Nice and simple as I get the feel for the paint 🙂 Then I would try painting donuts!!!

  19. 2.15.18
    Kelli said:

    I love the citrus pattern! I want to try that first.

  20. 2.15.18
    Usha said:

    Loved your FB live today! I’d probably paint a brushstrokes design. As much as I love the citrus and cherries, I tend to design more abstract stuff. Also I don’t trace those “dobber” sponges and I don’t need any more procrastination to try a new project! ?

  21. 2.15.18
    Colleen Roganovich said:

    I would do something with lips because I am a speech pathologist.

  22. 2.15.18
    Teresa Beggerow said:

    Love these painted fabrics!

  23. 2.15.18
    Dellin Cook said:

    Rootie tootie something fruity!

  24. 2.15.18
    Clovis said:

    Loved the video today making your own fabric.

  25. 2.15.18
    Cheri Givan said:

    I would love to try the cherries!

  26. 2.15.18
    K mueller said:

    I absolutely love your live videos! I watch them, then I want to create. Thank you for all the easy and fun ideas!! ?

  27. 2.15.18
    renee lyons said:

    I would paint the cherries

  28. 2.16.18
    Elizabeth Santor said:

    I absolutely love all the projects that you do it looks like so much fun, I wish I had the money and could afford to go out and buy everything needed to do all the projects you do. Something I really need is a Cricut but they’re too pricey for me unfortunately but it would really help me with so many things!!!!

  29. 2.16.18
    Chesney said:

    The countdown is on until I get my Cricut Maker! I’ve been loving all the stuff with geometric shapes lately so I’d probably do something with triangles.

  30. 2.16.18
    Amanda said:

    I love polka dots and flowers so I would start there. I would also like to have some for the kiddos so maybe a princess theme and then some robots or dinos for my son.

  31. 2.16.18
    Melanie T. Swenson said:

    I love to see the talent on this blog. It’s my “go to blog” to light my spirits!

  32. 2.16.18
    Torrie said:

    You are killing me Amber. The citrus yells summer to me and I can’t wait for it! I would love to try it out too, with the help of your tutorial.

  33. 2.16.18
    Dee Parker said:

    I think your cherries look fabulous, so I would try those. Love this project!

  34. 2.16.18
    Lin M. said:

    Your video is great and so are your instructions. I had no idea that type of vinyl existed! That is SO COOL! I really like the patterns you showed and all the tips you provided! And even more that you made your own patterned fabric into a makeup bag! Is there anything you can’t do? Also love the craft with wine recommendation… 🙂
    Thank you for the inspiration!

  35. 2.16.18
    maria claudia said:

    Loved the class and the patterns. Almost convinde I can create my own 😉 I’d love to create a text/poem especially for a garment and have it printed. Tks for the tips!

  36. 2.16.18
    Kelsey M said:

    I would probably do mickey mouse or Minnie. Because we all know Disney fabric is expensive and I have a little girl that would love me to make her some mickey stuff. She would love to help paint too!

  37. 2.16.18
    CHARMAINE GETLER said:

    I would do a palm leaf print.

  38. 2.17.18
    Loly Borda said:

    I love your videos! I’d love to create the citrus pattern. TFS

  39. 2.17.18
    Puja said:

    Loved the prints and the photography is insane!! I’d try my hand at painting some abstract patterns <3

  40. 2.17.18
    Susan said:

    Thanks for breaking down the steps to make the patterns. I’m also crafty but not artistic but seeing the shapes evolve gives me the confidence to try this.

  41. 2.17.18
    Lisascreativeniche said:

    I would love to use these on the aprons that the kids are going to decorate at my daughters tea party! These would be perfect!

  42. 2.18.18
    Lynda said:

    I would probably use a stencil and make a damask style pattern. Thanks for your informative post!

  43. 2.18.18
    Meghan said:

    This is such a great idea! Thank you for this! I love the citrus the most (I love citrus anything the most, lbr), but I’m really drawn to the brushstroke patterns because of the bold colors.

  44. 2.18.18
    beth said:

    Wow, the possibilities are endless. I love all three patterns for different projects, but the citrus would make such a cute spring/summer tote.

  45. 2.18.18
    Alba R said:

    The little one of the household is asking for some ladybug PJs.

  46. 2.18.18
    lisa@hooplapalooza said:

    i would just love to make anything you make lol :>D

  47. 2.18.18
    Shari Welch said:

    This is amazing! Love all the designs and instructions are easy to follow. ❤❤❤

  48. 2.19.18
    MPaula said:

    I would make animal prints – zebra, giraffe, snake. Of course, I would first have to learn how to make the prints. I can think of lots of stuff to make with snake skin patterns.

  49. 2.19.18
    Rosemary B said:

    Oh this is great, so inspiring. I am obsessed with this tutorial. I want to try this.
    What fun. Your designs are beautiful and so are you. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity

  50. 2.20.18
    mich ro said:

    I would like to try a Christmas theme for a tablecloth and matching napkins