DIY Glazed Linen Fabric

Put a drop cloth on the floor and arrange four pieces of inexpensive linen – your practice pieces – on top. Tack the linen pieces to the drop cloth with masking tape, so you can work freely with the painting supplies.

Spray the first piece of linen with a light layer of glaze spray. If you like the way it looks, let it dry and move on to the next step. But if you notice the color is too “splotchy,” rub the fabric lightly with a sea sponge, a paintbrush or an old toothbrush to disperse the paint. This helps achieve a look that more closely resembles glazed linen.

Mix an assortment of paint colors in small, plastic containers. Mix 2 parts of acrylic paint to 1 part of fabric medium to create your glazed paint. Depending on the brand, this might be known as a textile medium.

Dip a small roller lightly into one of the paints, making sure it is barely wet as you roll it over the fabric.

Dip a rag into one of the paint containers, and dab it onto the fabric to build up the color. Alternatively, roll the rag vertically -- so that it looks like a sausage -- then hold the ends in your hand and roll it over the fabric.

Dip a sea sponge into one of the paint containers, and dab it onto the fabric until you achieve a full, robust color.

Inspect your four samples – the spray, the roller, the rag and the sponge technique – and see where you might add more color or, better yet, a contrasting paint color or technique. The sheen is important to glazed linen and can sometimes be best achieved simply by buffing -- and spreading -- the paint.

Select your favorite technique and finish, and apply it to your linen fabric. Let the paint dry thoroughly, or for at least 24 hours.