How to Build a Stretcher Frame for Fabric Painting

When you are painting fabric, you need to have a stretcher frame to keep the fabric taut. Otherwise, your fabric will become wrinkled, creating a non-workable surface. Fortunately, it is inexpensive to create a stretcher frame for fabric painting with materials you probably have about the house. Rather than buy canvas stretcher bars, you can make your own stretcher frame for fabric painting from an empty frame.

Things You'll Need

• Picture frame
• Push pins (steel) or thumb tacks (silk)
• Rubber bands
• Safety pins
• Fabric

Instructions

1. Find a wooden picture frame that is larger than the size of the fabric you wish to paint.

2. Stick push pins or thumbs tacks around the edge of the picture frame. Leave 4 to 6-inch spaces between the push pins or tacks.

3. Loop rubber bands around each of the push pins or tacks.

4. Open a small safety pin and slip the rubber band inside the pin and close it. Do this for all of the rubber bands. Do not pierce the rubber band with the safety pin as you do this step.

5. Pin the safety pin to the edge of the fabric you wish to paint when you make a stretcher frame for fabric painting.

6. Adjust the tautness of the rubber bands by either getting larger rubber bands or moving the placement of the push pins or thumb tacks on the picture frame.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are painting silk, the silk may stretch as you apply paint to it. Readjust the tautness of the rubber bands to keep the silk taut, but be careful not to tear it.