starchingfabrictowalls.pdf

Matt and I have tackled the project of starching fabric to walls at least three times in residences, and then we took the whole process on the road one year as well.  Why do I mention this?  Well, because many people wonder about the sturdiness of starching fabric to the walls and I’m here to say that it works.  We carried three 8 foot starched fabric walls around with us, shoving them into our van, carrying them through home shows and just generally abusing them, and the fabric never budged.  I guess this means that in your home, with regular wear and tear, starched fabric could stay on the walls forever!!

However, the opposite also holds true.  If you want to get the fabric off of the walls, simply pick at a corner of the fabric and pull.  It will come off without harming the wall and you can wash and use the fabric again if you like.  Yes, it’s like a miracle! And here is how that miracle is accomplished.

Materials List:

• Fabric of your choice
• Several bottles of fabric starch
• Wallpaper smoothing device
• Scissors or utility knife
• Push pins
• Drop cloth
• Paper towels
• Sponge

Fabric Tip:
Good quality decorator fabrics work very nicely for this technique, as do sturdy cottons.  To keep your sanity, consider using a pattern that may not need to be matched and stay away from stripes and plaids…at least for your first try!  Overall patterns work great, like paisleys, florals and geometrics!

Instructions:

1.  Start by measuring the height of the wall space to be covered, add 6” to this dimension, and cut out your fabric strips.

2.  Methodically dip the fabric panel into the starch and make sure that the entire piece is coated on the front and back.  It doesn’t need to be dripping, just wet all over with starch. 

3.  Go to the wall and press the fabric on the wall into place.  Allow the fabric to wrap slightly around the corner.  Use your hands or the wallpaper smoother to get out all the bubbles.

I used push pins to hold one end of the fabric in place while I smoothed the other end. 

4.  Once the fabric is smooth on the wall, you need to trim off the extra at the top and bottom.  I used a very sharp utility knife and a flat blade just like I would with wallpaper. The type of fabric you use will determine your cutting and trimming method.  My fabric was woven so the loose threads kept unraveling which was a big problem.  I found that if I waited until the starch was dry it was easier to cut a straight, unfrayed edge.   If you use a regular printed cotton fabric, it won’t do this.

Tip:
If you need to cut around pipes or outlets, simply press your fabric in place the best you can, push pin it in areas slightly away from the area you are cutting out, and start with a small slit made with scissors.  Once you verify that the small slit is in the right location, cut a larger slit until you can push the pipe through or find the edges of the outlet to cut around.  Just take it slowly and you’ll be fine.

Last, let me mention that I did get a little bit of bubbling once the fabric had dried and stiffened.  To remedy this I grabbed a paint brush and some starch and painted the starch over the bubbly area to saturate it again and I pressed it in place.  This worked well and everything is still lying as flat as can be. 

If by some chance you have jagged edges that need to be covered up, purchase a braided trim and hot glue it along the edge for a nice finishing touch. I used this to hide the staples on the fabric I upholstered to the wall but it would work on the starch as well.

In another article I’ll explain the upholstering method.  It isn’t as difficult as it sounds and the results are amazing. 

Shari

 
© 2010.  mattandshari.com, all rights reserved.

Comments (9)

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written by ladcraig, January 04, 2010

This sounds like a good cold-weather project!

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written by SherryC, January 18, 2010

Hi guys,
Just a quick question:
How does this hold up in a steamy bathroom? I would love to do this in my bathroom.
Thanks!

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written by Shari, January 19, 2010

I've never done this project in a steamy bathroom. I will say that to fix bubbles in already dried starched fabric, I brush on more starch to wet the fabric and press it back to the wall. Water splashed on it might not be great, but I don't think steam would do much damage. Why not take a piece of fabric, even a 2 foot square piece and try it? the starch will wipe off clean if you don't like the idea. If you do test it, let me know how it works out for you. I seem to get this question often!

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written by Rita, March 01, 2010

I did this with burlap. Easy to do. Get lots of push pins for heavy fabric. I used a plastic spackle knife to smooth the burlap and used a fan to speed dry time. Clean up any missed spots on the floor or trim with vinegar in hot water.

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written by Ninepatch, March 26, 2011

Oooooooo...I'm just gonna have to try this one! I do have one question. Are you using the starch full strength when you dip the fabric or is it diluted. Thanks!

Beth in Berea where the sun is shining

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written by Rita, March 29, 2011

Use full strength with a heavy fabric. You can squeeze it back into your pail before putting the fabric up; the fabric will be saturated but not dripping.

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written by sgiancoli, March 03, 2012

I actually did this in the 80's over a weekend...when flowers everywhere was the style...I used sheets. It looked beautiful and the steam didn't seem to bother it...when I finally got sick of the flowers I just peeled it off just like it says in the instructions...more economical than wallpaper...easier to put up and take down...and so many options for material..can you imagine faux leather in your bathroom?...

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written by sgiancoli, March 03, 2012

I remember using the directions on the starch box for heavy starching and I think I did dilute in water but the sheets were light.

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written by davect, April 06, 2012

Hi Matt & Shari, I watched your show for years on HGTV and got so many great tips and ideas from you that I still use today. I was on vacation and watched your new show on Create TV, a channel I do not get at home. I'll have to call my service provider and beg them to add it. I'm so glad to find this website, and would like to do this project in my bathroom. My question is what do I do with the fabric selvage?

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