How to Incorporate Vintage Fabrics into Frames

Repurposing vintage textiles is a fun way to color and personalize framing projects.

Utilizing vintage fabrics in craft projects is a creative way to repurpose old textiles in a fun new item. Whether sorting through old remnants or preserving parts of a quilt, T-shirt or table linen, incorporating sentimental textiles into framing projects keeps them a part of your living space. In particular, using vintage fabrics in framing is a great way to handcraft personal gifts for friends and loved ones, especially if a favorite photo is featured in the frame.

Things You'll Need

• Mat board
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Hot glue gun
• Double-sided tape
• Staple gun

Instructions

1. Choose whether to cover the picture frame or the mat board in your fabric. Use lightweight fabrics, such as cotton, on mat board. Save heavyweight fabrics, such as sweatshirt material, for frames.

2. Cover the mat board completely by tracing the exterior and interior matting outline onto the reverse side of the fabric. Cut the fabric 1 inch outside of the traced margin, then cut 1-inch diagonal slits on the interior and exterior corners.

3. Drape the fabric over the mat board, pulling the excess tight over the interior and exterior edges onto the back. Use hot glue or double-sided tape to secure the fabric to the back of the mat board.

4. Cover a portion of the mat board while leaving some exposed by tracing a pattern on the fabric, such as four-sided diamonds, cutting the pattern and arranging the pieces of fabric on the mat board. Secure to the mat board with glue stick or double-sided tape.

5. 

   Reusing old textiles adds flair to craft projects.

   Cover the frame with vintage fabric using these same techniques. Allow extra space between the frame and the mat board if heavyweight fabric is used. To secure fabric to frame, use a hot glue or staple gun on the back.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to using vintage textiles, also consider global textiles for your framing projects, like Indian saris, Asian silks or Middle Eastern patterns.

• Neckties may also be used to cover mat boards.

• Use caution when using hot glue tools, staple guns and scissors.

• Gently dust fabric mat boards and frames; do not spray with cleaning supplies if permanently affixed.