How to Frame Textile Fabric

By
Krystle DeSantos
Krystle DeSantos
Krystle DeSantos is a lifestyle expert with a decade of experience covering DIY decor and home projects. Her work has also been seen on Blavity, AphroChic, Apartment Therapy, and Crafty Habit. Krystle also has professional event decor experience.
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Updated on 06/30/20
Cutting a textile pattern

Maskot / Getty Images

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: One art piece
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $20 to $75 (for picture frame)

Have you ever looked at a textile pattern that you absolutely loved but knew that it wasn't right for pillows or upholstery? Don't put it back just yet because it might be the perfect piece to hang on your wall.

This simple DIY project is an easy and inexpensive way to create art for your home. It's fun and safe, so this is a good one to get the kids involved with. And it will work with any appropriately sized textile fabric. Whether it's a kitchen towel, a deconstructed pillow, or anything in between, you can create your own amazing works of textile art. One framed textile will look lovely on its own, or you can create a stunning gallery wall using several swatches of similar fabric.

Supplies for Framing Frabric
Krystle DeSantos
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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Clothing iron

Materials

  • Chosen display fabric
  • Spray starch (optional)
  • Double-sided mounting tape
  • Picture frame with mat board

Instructions

  1. Iron the Fabric

    To give the overall art piece a finished look, remove any wrinkles from your chosen piece of textile fabric before framing:

    Glide an iron over the towel to remove any fold creases and wrinkles. Add a burst of steam here and there while ironing to make it easier to remove the creases.

    Crafters working with embroidered fabric with decorative stitching often turn the fabric face-side down and place it on a soft cloth, then iron it from the backside. This prevents possible damage to the decorative stitching. If you wish, you can also apply spray starch to the backside to enhance the stiffness of the fabric.

    Iron Fabric
    Krystle DeSantos

  2. Position the Fabric

    Disassemble the frame and place the mat on a flat, even surface. Lay the fabric out to the desired position and smooth out any folds to ensure you have everything lined up just right. 

    Positioning fabric
    Krystle DeSantos

  3. Secure Fabric to the Picture Mat

    Time to tape it all into place. Use double-faced tape or adhesive tabs to attach the fabric to the mat:

    Peel off the sticky back of the mounting tape and apply to the four corners of the picture mat then secure the fabric to the tape. This will hold the fabric in place and prevent it from sliding around when you hang it.

    Securing fabric to mat
    Krystle DeSantos
    Fabric secured with tape
    Krystle DeSantos

  4. Reassemble the Frame

    Reassemble your frame according to manufacturer's instructions and get ready to hang your new piece of amazing one-of-a-kind art!

    Reassembling a frame
    Krystle DeSantos

  5. Hang and Admire

    You can use your new art as the main focal piece in your kitchen, an accent over your dining room table, or as part of a living room gallery wall. Also, keep your eyes open while surfing the web or perusing stores; pretty soon you'll have a whole new art collection.

    Hung fabric art
    Krystle DeSantos