Fun With Fabric: 15 Simple DIY Projects Worthy of Display
See how your favourite fabrics can be turned into all manner of home-enhancing creations with the greatest of ease
If you have a collection of leftover fabric you can’t bear to part with, or spot a divine design you’d love to use somewhere in your home, look no further. These ideas will bring your house to life, one room at a time. You don’t have to have a degree in design to pull off these DIY projects. All they take is a little imagination and a can-do attitude.
2. Cover a lamp
The right fabric can turn a dowdy lamp into a showpiece, and it isn’t difficult to do. A hot glue gun is the secret weapon in this DIY project. Hessian can be just as beautiful as brights and soft-textured fabrics, so explore all the options before settling on the fabric for you.
See other ways to use hessian
The right fabric can turn a dowdy lamp into a showpiece, and it isn’t difficult to do. A hot glue gun is the secret weapon in this DIY project. Hessian can be just as beautiful as brights and soft-textured fabrics, so explore all the options before settling on the fabric for you.
See other ways to use hessian
3. Dress up a pin board
Covering an inexpensive pin board in a fabulous fabric can give your home office some serious personality. Buy a large pin board from the hardware store for maximum impact (on the space and not on your wallet), staple the fabric edges behind it and then screw onto a wall. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. This one has been given an extra stylish edge with the help of some upholstery tacks.
Covering an inexpensive pin board in a fabulous fabric can give your home office some serious personality. Buy a large pin board from the hardware store for maximum impact (on the space and not on your wallet), staple the fabric edges behind it and then screw onto a wall. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. This one has been given an extra stylish edge with the help of some upholstery tacks.
4. Make a patchwork quilt
I yearn for the days when friends used to sit around together sewing a quilt while they chatted over cups of tea. Times may have changed, but you can still bring that feelgood vibe into your home with a quilt of your own. Use fabrics from your children’s outgrown clothes, leftover fabrics, and cherished finds to make one you love. Sewing squares together is the easiest approach, especially if you have a sewing machine handy, or tackle something trickier if you have the experience. I’ve only ever made one patchwork quilt – out of my mother’s old dresses I grew up seeing her wear. The quilt is falling to bits now, but it’s still one of my most precious belongings.
I yearn for the days when friends used to sit around together sewing a quilt while they chatted over cups of tea. Times may have changed, but you can still bring that feelgood vibe into your home with a quilt of your own. Use fabrics from your children’s outgrown clothes, leftover fabrics, and cherished finds to make one you love. Sewing squares together is the easiest approach, especially if you have a sewing machine handy, or tackle something trickier if you have the experience. I’ve only ever made one patchwork quilt – out of my mother’s old dresses I grew up seeing her wear. The quilt is falling to bits now, but it’s still one of my most precious belongings.
5. Upholster a headboard
A piece of particleboard or plywood cut to the right size, some padding trimmed into shape, fabric in any colour or pattern you please and some upholstery tacks – that’s about all you need to create a headboard with designer good looks.
Here’s how to make an upholstered headboard you can change with your mood
A piece of particleboard or plywood cut to the right size, some padding trimmed into shape, fabric in any colour or pattern you please and some upholstery tacks – that’s about all you need to create a headboard with designer good looks.
Here’s how to make an upholstered headboard you can change with your mood
6. Make beautiful bunting
Few things fill a room with more happiness than colourful bunting. Celebrate the everyday in a bedroom, living room or dining area with all the colours of the rainbow. The easiest way is to cut a heavy fabric (upholstery fabric works well and is less likely to curl) into triangles with pinking shears, then sew the base of the triangles to a length of bias tape. Simple!
Few things fill a room with more happiness than colourful bunting. Celebrate the everyday in a bedroom, living room or dining area with all the colours of the rainbow. The easiest way is to cut a heavy fabric (upholstery fabric works well and is less likely to curl) into triangles with pinking shears, then sew the base of the triangles to a length of bias tape. Simple!
7. Rustle up some indoor cushions
Changing the cushions in an oft-used part of the house is an instant way to give it a cheery update. Cushions are ridiculously easy to make, especially if you forgo the zip and piping and make them like you would a pillowcase.
Click here to see how: DIY Cushion Covers: Revive Your Home the Easy Way
Changing the cushions in an oft-used part of the house is an instant way to give it a cheery update. Cushions are ridiculously easy to make, especially if you forgo the zip and piping and make them like you would a pillowcase.
Click here to see how: DIY Cushion Covers: Revive Your Home the Easy Way
9. Transform your bedroom
Designer bedding made with quality fabric can be expensive, but making your own quilt cover and pillowcases can be done for a dramatically lower cost. Finding fabric you can’t live without is the most challenging part of this DIY project; the rest is easy.
Designer bedding made with quality fabric can be expensive, but making your own quilt cover and pillowcases can be done for a dramatically lower cost. Finding fabric you can’t live without is the most challenging part of this DIY project; the rest is easy.
10. Frame an outdoor space
String up some ropes and drape fabric over them – what could be simpler? Choose floaty fabrics for a dreamy feel or set the scene for a party with something bold and colourful. Sew different coloured lengths of fabric together to up the party atmosphere.
String up some ropes and drape fabric over them – what could be simpler? Choose floaty fabrics for a dreamy feel or set the scene for a party with something bold and colourful. Sew different coloured lengths of fabric together to up the party atmosphere.
13. Don’t forget the kitchen
This attention-grabbing splashback is just laminated fabric protected behind glass. What kind of fabric would give your kitchen a look you’d love?
This attention-grabbing splashback is just laminated fabric protected behind glass. What kind of fabric would give your kitchen a look you’d love?
14. Reupholster a Chair
Give an old chair a new lease on life with some fresh fabric. Use the same fabric for each chair in a dining setting, or mix and match for a more eclectic look.
Click here to see how: DIY Fix: How to Reupholster a Chair Seat
Give an old chair a new lease on life with some fresh fabric. Use the same fabric for each chair in a dining setting, or mix and match for a more eclectic look.
Click here to see how: DIY Fix: How to Reupholster a Chair Seat
15. Use ready-made frames
Frames that can accommodate changing tastes are the most inexpensive way to show off beloved fabrics. Swap the fabric when you need a change or when you spot another you can’t help but buy. Fabrics have a way of drawing us in against our will – resistance is futile.
YOU TELL US
How have you used fabric at your house? Let us know in the comments section below and snap a high-resolution picture to attach – we’d love to see it.
Frames that can accommodate changing tastes are the most inexpensive way to show off beloved fabrics. Swap the fabric when you need a change or when you spot another you can’t help but buy. Fabrics have a way of drawing us in against our will – resistance is futile.
YOU TELL US
How have you used fabric at your house? Let us know in the comments section below and snap a high-resolution picture to attach – we’d love to see it.
Displaying a variety of fabrics in a collection of embroidery hoops is a project anyone can do. Any excess material can be trimmed and then tucked in behind the hoop. Easy.