Friday, March 19, 2010

~Faux French Linen~


I wish I could afford real French linen, but since I can't, I decided to make my own imitation.  I saw the idea for painting a tablecloth in Country Living Magazine and Flea Market Style.  I believe one used a drop cloth and one used burlap.  I really wanted the look and feel of linen, so I chose osnaburg fabric that I got at JoAnn's Fabrics. 





I cut a piece of fabric the width of the table and about 12 inches longer.




I sewed a hem around the edges...



Measured and taped where I wanted the stripes...



And then painted with a mixture of acrylic paint and textile medium.  The textile medium makes the paint washable.




I tested two different paint methods.  First I just painted a solid stripe with a paintbrush.  Then I used a stencil brush and pouncing method.  I chose the stenciling - more of the fabric showed through and it had more of an aged look.


Then lots more measuring and taping to get three stripes on each side.


The result...



A faux French linen table runner for just a few dollars.

I'm thinking pillows, basket liners,...

Janet

I'll be joining a few parties.

Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Make It for Monday at Cottage Instincts

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses

Get Your Craft On at Todays Creative Blog



47 comments:

  1. Janet- Its gorgeous! You had me fooled for the 'real thing'! Wow.
    Love it.
    And thanks for the tip about adding textile medium making it washable. I'm a crafting idiot, and had no idea!
    I love your dishes. Love, love, love the whole thing!
    Happy weekend,
    ~Amy

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  2. Hi there, Janet!

    I am visiting your blog for the very first time as a result of New Friend Friday and I have to say that I have enjoyed everything I've seen! I love it when other ladies see things in magazines, are inspired enough to actually go to work on a project and then show me how easy it is to do it! I'll definitely be back...and I'm getting ready to head to your sidebar to "follow" you! Thanks for helping to get the creative juices flowing!

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  3. Well, this is so clever. I love it. Looks gorgeous. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Oh my goodness, you are so creative! You painted the stripes to look like French linen!

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  5. This really turned out well- thanks for sharing the how-to!

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  6. I love how this turned out. Looks like the real thing. Thanks for the tips.
    Jane

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  7. That is a fabulous how to - I had just been thinking about doing this with a canvas drop cloth for curtains, I'm glad to see it comes out so beautifully on the linen, I hope I can achieve something even close to yours! Found you via FF, glad that I did!

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  8. Terrific job! I love this...looks authentic.

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  9. Wonderful job Janet! Now why didn't I think of this? Love it.

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  10. Well... aren't you a clever one! I thought it was the real thing when I first saw the picture. Well done!

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  11. This project has been on my to do list for a while since I saw it in Country Living. I love how yours turned out.

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  12. This turned out wonderful! If you hadn't told us about this project I would have thought this was the real french linen.

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  13. This looks like the real thing! Thanks for the tutorial I have some good heavy drop cloth left overs that would work well for this I think! So glad I found your blog through SNS! Theresa

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  14. This is so amazingly close to the original look. I am duly impressed. You will surely be featured with this somewhere. Nice work.
    Pam @ Becolorful
    oh, I am visiting through The Girl Creative

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  15. You did a wonderful job. The entire table looks beautiful.

    Partying with you tonight.

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  16. Such a great idea! I love that you made it nice and wide. Looks fabulous.

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  17. This is a nice idea. I like the pouncing technique, too. Thanks for passing this idea along.

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  18. I am impressed as can be!!!! It looks great.
    Rhonda

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  19. What a clever idea...it looks fantastic. The whole setting is just gorgeous.

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  20. great job on the table cloth! I love the look! Thanks for the how to's!
    gail

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  21. WONDERFUL ...I love that your efforts totally paid off! You just inheirited a new follower!

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  22. What a outstanding job you did...it looks beautiful!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  23. That was a brilliant idea!! I love the way the table runner looks and that it can be customized by size.
    ♥, Susan

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  24. What a wonderful idea! And it came out flawless. I love it. And I love it even more with those plates on it. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. Great idea! Easy way to get the right size, too.

    I hope you'll drop by AtticMag to see Jane's Met Monday post.

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  26. Love it! I may have to try this. Thanks for showing how

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  27. That's just brilliant! I love it!!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

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  28. Wow this is a great idea! It does look like you've been to Paris. Jennifer

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  29. This is awesome!!!! So simple yet so beautiful, and painting it yourself, wow! Your tableware is also something that I desire for a long time. Everything looks beautiful. Great job!
    Hugs, Erika

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  30. I love this..it certainly looks vintage!

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  31. Wonderful project. I love the simple lines of the tablecloth with the intricate patterns on the dishes. And red always gets me!

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  32. I can't wait to try this and I think I can do it.

    Thanks for instructions and materials.

    Barbara

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  33. That is just tooo awesome!!! I am in love!

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  34. I'm a new follower, Janet. Very pretty blog and very informative. I will be back to see what is next. I love your beautiful cat. You should post a little something on him/her so we get to know kitty. If you like cats, pop on over. Have a good day, Deb

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  35. Darling, I stumbled upon your blog and while here, I enjoyed my visit very much. Your blog is loaded with interesting posts and lovely photos. I have joined your followers, and will return often to visit with you.

    Love & Hugs
    Duchess

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  36. I Loved this so much I posted about it on my blog - Thanx for such a great idea!

    http://theopulentpoppy.blogspot.com/2010/03/decorate-with-style.html

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  37. A great idea! Wonderful job. I totally agree with your fabric choice!

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  38. This looks totally authentic!! I LOVE it!! I really love it!!

    Lou Cinda :)

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  39. Love this!!! What a fab idea. I will be trying this and will mention your blog when I do the post. I just sewed a bunch of feedsack pillows and I really need to keep this in mind for all kinds of projects. I am your latest follower. Blessings!!

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  40. Really really beautiful! I'm visiting from homeroad.net.
    Have a great weekend!
    Susan

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  41. What a terrific idea! This Cornish hen loves your dinnerware also. I have looked at French linens and find them so pricy also. I will definitely be trying this project. I'm new at blogging and am really enjoying all the inspiration. Love your blog and will be adding it to my favorites. I am at simplycornish.blogspot.com.

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  42. Love the idea pinned this one as well will I ever get anything done today nope not till I reach the end of your blog lol

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