How to Paint a Design on a Fabric Chair

Fabric chairs can add a lush look to your decor and give your space an added burst of color and texture. You can personalize your fabric chairs by putting your own designs on them. This is a simple do-it-yourself undertaking that can be completed with items purchased from most craft or sewing supply shops. For the more artistic, you can freehand draw your designs; if you aren't that confident in your drawing skills, you can purchase premade stencils for a professionally designed look.

Vacuum cleaner
Spray bottle
100 percent cotton lint-free rags
Stencils
Plastic bag
Painter's tape
Ruler
Fabric marker
Acrylic fabric paint
Paintbrushes
Paint trays or bowls

Instructions

- 1
  Clean your fabric chairs prior to painting to remove as much dust and dirt as possible. Vacuum the fabric surface. Mist your fabric chair with water until it is fairly wet. Rub it dry with your lint-free rags. Repeat as necessary to remove excess dirt and dust. Let the fabric of your chair dry overnight in a dry area.
- 2
  Purchase acrylic paint formulated especially for use on fabric. This paint flexes and bends with the individual fibers of the fabric; therefore, the paint won't feel stiff to the touch, and when someone sits on the chair, the paint won't crack.
- 3
  Place the plastic bag underneath your chair to protect the floor from any paint drips. Mark any straight line designs, such as stripes, on your fabric with painter's tape. Use a ruler to help make your lines straight and your spacing even.
- 4
  If you have a stencil, position it on your chair and tape it into place with the painter's tape. Use your fabric marker to trace the inner edge of the stencil onto the fabric of the chair. If you don't have a stencil, free hand draw your design onto the fabric of your chair. Remove your stencil after you've traced it.
- 5
  Pour your fabric paints into individual paint trays or bowls. Use fine paint brushes to paint the outlines of your designs. Let your outline dry completely in a non-humid area.
- 6
  Paint in the larger areas of your designs with medium-size brushes. Let your larger areas dry completely in a non-humid area. Remove any remaining painter's tape while the fabric paint is still damp.
- 7
  Paint any detail work, overlays or touch-ups with small brushes. Let these areas dry completely in a non-humid area.

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