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Sunday, February 13, 2011

Grain Sack Mantel Runner

Here are some quick and easy directions for getting the look of a vintage grain sack using acrylic paint and a drop cloth. I used this technique for my mantel runner.



Begin by prewashing your drop cloth to remove sizing. Then cut to the desired size allowing for a simple hem all the way around. My drop cloth was already the perfect length, so I only had to hem the two long sides. I then folded the length in half (see the crease) and placed painter's tape about 1/2 inch from the crease on each side. No need to measure exactly. Remember that you are going for a vintage look. It doesn't need to be perfect. Then open the cloth and you will have a 1 inch wide center. Add another row of tape on either side, again at 1/2 inch. Your tape should look like this.


I used FolkArt brand acrylic paint to which I added some FolkArt textile medium - 2 parts paint, 1 part textile medium. This will keep the paint soft and flexible once it dries on the fabric. I simply applied the paint with a foam brush. Not too heavy and neatness really doesn't count here. If you want your fabric to be washable, FolkArt recommends setting the paint with a steam iron. You can find the details here.



And here is the result.



I love the added texture on my mantel.









I'm going to use this same technique with blue paint and make some grain sack pillows!



I'm linking to...





Very Merry Vintage Style Blog Button freckled laundry


BCD 125


Photobucket


Domestically Speaking

Photobucket Anything Related

Photobucket Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays
Today's Creative Blog


The DIY Show OffPhotobucket

mmm button Making


It's So Very Cheri
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44 comments:

  1. Cassie BustamanteFebruary 13, 2011 at 9:54 PM

    that looks great, sharon!!! love the red, very farmish.

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  2. NanaDianaFebruary 13, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Sharon...What a great job. I love it. I am going to HAVE to try this one of these days. I do remember the old hopsacking bags my mother had...and do you remember the bags that flour came in...well, not remember them probably..but I do..flour came in heavy cloth bags back in the 50's. Wish I had some of those old bags now. Hugs-Diana

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  3. KatFebruary 13, 2011 at 11:23 PM

    That looks fantastic!!! I love everything on the mantel.

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  4. Tire Swing MomFebruary 13, 2011 at 11:30 PM

    Wow! I love it. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. KellyFebruary 13, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    I've never thought to do a runner on a mantel...what a great idea. It's lovely!

    Kelly

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  6. KellyFebruary 13, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Oh and I'm following you now! :)

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  7. LauraFebruary 13, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    How beautiful! And I just love that scale.What a great looking mantel!

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  8. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    your runner looks fabulous!!

    Kathy

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    This is great! I may need to make one in blue!

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  10. AndreaFebruary 14, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    Awesome! It looks authentic, too!

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  11. MarianneFebruary 14, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Your mantel looks great! Yes grainsacks are the new burlap aren't they. They make everything look so much better. I have some stripe painting to do myself so thanks for reminding me to just do it!
    Have a wonderful week.

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  12. PamelaFebruary 14, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Loving that idea!! It looks fantastic!

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  13. Amy R.February 14, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Love it! Drop cloths are the best!

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  14. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed BoysFebruary 14, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    gotta love drop cloths! That scale is pretty darn cool too!

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  15. AmandaFebruary 14, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    What a nice idea! It really does add an extra layer of interest to your mantel-scape! Thank you for the tutorial! I am visiting from Making the World Cuter Monday! Happy Valentine's Day!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

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  16. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalFebruary 15, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    This turned out so cute Sharon! I have been meaning to give this a try. I have some flour sack dish clothes I may practice on.

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  17. Hi, I'm Suz!!February 15, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I love this!! Dang it! Now I'm going to have to paint some stripes on some drop cloth!! Double dang it - - I don't have a mantle!!

    Love the whole group!! Great job!!

    Come see my drop cloth curtains I painted!!

    Hugs ~~ Suz
    inspiringcreativeness.blogspot

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  18. Donna T.February 15, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Too cute...this technique would also work well with a table runner...I see a project in my future...

    Thanx for the inspiration..

    Tinglelaneprimitives.blogspot.com

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  19. MandyFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    I love this! I've been needing a new table runner for my dining room - this may be it!

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  20. KarlaFebruary 15, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Hey!! I LOVE this idea! Do you know how much money I paid for a runner almost just like this? I mean really. Can't wait to see the pillows. Will you make some for me?

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  21. Lindsey February 15, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Jane @ Jane's Junk and TreasuresFebruary 15, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    HA
    What a great idea!!!!!
    I am so copying this !!! NOW - TODAY!!!
    Thanks!

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  23. Kindra-At Home With KFebruary 15, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    I just love your stenciled runner! I love the look it added to your mantel display! Thanks so much for linking up to Terrific Under Ten Tuesdays!!

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  24. Laurel@ChippingwithCharmFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Looks great...love all the treasures on your mantel too. Laurel@chippingwithcharm

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  25. LibbyFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    You make it look so easy! I am definitely going to try this. Love your mantel with all the treasures displayed.

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  26. bjFebruary 15, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Love it..I did one last year and stilll love it.
    Bet the ones in blue will be cute, too.

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  27. Kim @ Savvy Southern StyleFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    That turned out just like a grain sack. Thanks for sharing this.

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  28. Pam KesslerFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    That turned out very cute. I have a drop cloth sitting here that I have yet to make anything out of. This looks like something I could do. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  29. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovementFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Very cute! Thanks for the tutorial.

    Have a great day!
    Pam

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  30. Susan FreemanFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Love it!! I am your newest follower.

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  31. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresFebruary 15, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    This would cost a fortune in the good stores. The possibilities are endless. I love drop cloths, I use them to cover my tables at my antique shows. I think I might have to give them a face lift.

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  32. Megan GunyanFebruary 15, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    It's awesome! I tried to do that to a canvas, but I think you did a better job! Well, I know you did. Love it!
    p.s. Hope you can check out the giveaway for a free printable of your choice! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com

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  33. DonnieFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    That really turned out great. Looks authentic.

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  34. Tammy @ Type AFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    looks like the real deal! love everything on your mantle, thanks for sharing this at my party.

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  35. very merry vintage styleFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    Very nice! I would love to make some pillows with this technique--it's just enough red for me! Thanks for the tutorial! Come over and link up to my new party if you like, I'd love to have you include this great project!
    Mary

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  36. SLRFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    very cool idea...love it!! i recently saw a slipcover made out of a drop cloth...my these cloths are useful!

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  37. JenniferFebruary 16, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Hi I am a new follower. I found you on the Not just a housewife link party. This is a great turtorial~ I can't wait to try this!!

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  38. Kelli@Restore InteriorsFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    This looks So amazing! Thanks for sharing the medium tip! I would have never thought to put that in my paint. I painted pillows a while back like this and I can see how that would help! I am going to try it out! Thanks for linking!

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  39. SueFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    That looks great! I would have never thought of that. Thanks for the tutorial.
    Have a great day!
    Sue

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  40. the old white houseFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    That looks great! I have seen the pillows and have been wanting to make them but a mantle runner is a great idea! Thanks for sharing you how-to...Theresa xoxo

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  41. {oc cottage}February 19, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Way to go!!! LOVE this!

    m ^..^

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  42. UnknownFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Love it all and I featured you today: http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/2011/02/time-to-shine-features-6.html

    Please feel free to grab a Featured button!!!

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  43. Jenn EricksonFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Wow! I love the way you transformed the drop cloth to look like a real vintage feed sack! The runner is perfect and an artful compliment to your beautifully assembled mantel vignette! Thank you so much for linking up another wonderful project at Rook No. 17!

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  44. UnknownFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    Gorgeous, Sharon! Thanks for linking with air your laundry Friday.

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