How to Make a Fabric Wall Art Piece From Family Photos

Family is important to most Americans. We find ways to show off those people who mean the most to our lives. However, sometimes it simply isn't feasible to post pictures of family members all around the house or even to hang photos on all of the walls. There is, however, a fun and innovative way to show off family photos while blending in with the natural home decor. Make a fabric wall art piece that shows off the family while also decorating the room.

Things You'll Need

• Computer system with scanner, printer, and photo program
• Fabric for wall art piece (or pre-made tapestry or quilt item)
• Trim (like ribbon, braid, ribbon roses, or anything else desired)
• Iron-on fabric photo material (with iron-on capability)
• Backing (foam, stiff material, or fiberboard)
• Fabric glue
• Needle and thread and/or sewing machine
• Tapestry bar
• Tacks or staples
• Scotch Guard

Instructions

1. Decide whether to use an existing wall tapestry or quilted item or whether to construct something from scratch. Also decide if some sort of backing is needed in order to make the piece lie flat against the wall.

2. Decide how large the finished art piece should be, what type of fabric(s) will be used to construct it, and how the item will be hung on the wall. All of these decisions may have an effect on the number and size of photos that can be used.

3. Determine which family photos will be included on the wall art piece and the size and shape (such as rectangle, square, round or oval) of each photo to be used. These decisions may be effected by the condition and size of the original photo, the number of photos being used in the wall art, and the amount of space allotted to the piece.Scan each photo into a photo program in the computer, if it is not already saved on the hard drive.

4. Make any necessary purchases of supplies needed to complete the project.

5. 

   Make any changes (like cropping, shaping or image alteration) needed to the chosen photos using a photo software program.

6. Print the desired photos to be used on the wall piece in the sizes and shapes desired on the iron-on fabric material. Remove any excess material to prepare it for use on the wall art.

7. Sew together the fabric backdrop piece on which the photos will be placed, if a pre-made tapestry or quilted item isn't being used. This can be done either by hand or on a sewing machine in any desired pattern or shape using standard sewing techniques.

8. Back the wall art piece if needed to make the piece lie fat. A stiff material, foam or fiberboard can be used for this purpose. Make certain the backing does not stick out from the fabric. It should be hidden so as not to show from the front of the art piece.

9. 

   Iron the photos onto the wall art piece as outlined in the plan. Be sure that all edges of the material are secure against the fabric background. If the iron-on material doesn't work properly, use an iron-on fiber material or fabric glue to secure the edges.

10. 

    Trim the wall piece as desired using braids, ribbons, ribbon roses or anything else desired. However, keep in mind that the items must be washable along with the the remainder of the wall piece.

11. 

    Scotch Guard the entire fabric wall hanging in order to prevent staining.

12. Mount the wall art piece as planned on a tapestry bar, by securing it directly to the wall with tacks or staples, or by any other method desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Vary the size and type of photos used on the wall piece. Use both color and black and white photos to add interest and texture.

• Use trims around photos that somehow relate to the people pictured therein.

• Don't be afraid of three dimensional items as long as they can be washed or dry cleaned along with the fabric piece itself.

• Be careful not to burn yourself with a hot iron. The bonding heat of iron-on fabrics is often quite hot.

• Be careful not to scorch or burn photos as you iron them onto the piece.