Make your own fabric with Sharpie®




The other day I shared the new Sharpie® Color Burst Permanent Markers with you. Guess what? This is what I made with them! I designed my own fabric to use to reupholster a chair I found on Craigslist.


This was the inspiration board I made using the Sharpie® Color Burst Markers. Testing out all the colours was a great way to also try different techniques for creating a watercolour effect.

I decided to use the vibrant blue markers. I really like how the blue turned out. The colour is so vivid and the ink was quick-drying. The circles on the pillow remind me of Japanese shibori and the design on the chair has a Scandinavian country feel. It adds a nice pop of colour at my desk.





Here's how to create your own custom fabric and pillow using Sharpie® markers.




What you'll need:
  • canvas fabric
  • pillow cover
  • Sharpie® Color Burst markers
  • Rubbing alcohol aka Isopropyl alcohol
  • dropper
  • cotton swabs
  • cardboard or heavy paper to protect surfaces
  • upholstery batting
  • upholstery foam
  • scissors
  • staple gun, staples
  • spray adhesive
  • pillow insert
  • chair to reupholster




Step 1: Design a pattern

Lay the fabric on a flat surface. Ensure there is a layer of heavy cardboard between the fabric and table surface in order to protect the surface from the markers and later, the rubbing alcohol. You may want to practise your design and technique on a piece of paper or a scrap piece of fabric.

We stuck with a simple pattern of circles and dots for this project. Draw the design on the fabric. The more ink you apply, the more intense the colour in the end. Repeat the pattern over the entire surface of the fabric.





Step 2: Apply the rubbing alcohol

Use a dropper or for more precision, a cotton swab, and apply the rubbing alcohol to the ink. We used a cotton swab for this fabric design. Let the fabric dry completely.
To set the ink: Although Sharpie® Color Burst Markers are water, smear and fade-resistant you may decide you want to go an extra step and set the ink. When the fabric is completely dry, you can set the ink by putting the fabric in a dryer on a low to medium heat setting. Do not use an iron to heat set the fabric. Once the fabric has been set, you can launder the fabric in a cold water wash.

*Rubbing alcohol is flammable and is a skin irritant. Use in a well ventilated area. Not recommended for use by children. Please use care when handling.





Step 3: Prep the chair for upholstery & add batting

Remove the seat from the chair using a screwdriver. Remove old fabric, staples and if necessary, old foam or batting from the seat. If replacing the foam, trace the seat onto the foam and use scissors or a utility knife to cut the foam. Adhere the foam in place using a spray adhesive.

Turn the seat face down on top of the batting. Wrap the seat with the batting. Ensure the batting is taut. Using the staple gun, staple the top and bottom first, then the sides and corners. Ensure you leave the screw holes to replace the chair seat exposed.










Step 4: Time for the fabric!

Lay the fabric on a flat surface. Place the seat face down on top of the fabric. If you have too much fabric, cut any excess fabric away. Ensure you leave enough fabric so that when you pull it up on each side of the chair seat you have at least a couple of extra inches. If you have a pattern, now is a good time to make sure it is straight. Attach the fabric to the chair using the staple gun. Start at the top, pulling the fabric so that it is taut but not too tight and staple in place. Repeat on the bottom and then each side. Save the corners for last. The corners can take some practise to get right. The easiest way to get a neat finish is to gather the fabric in delicate and smooth folds at the corners. Once you have stapled the fabric in place, trim away any excess fabric. Reattach the seat to the chair.





Here is the finished chair.


The Pillow ...

The pillow has more of a watercolour effect. To achieve this look, draw solid circles on the fabric. Apply the rubbing alcohol with a dropper. I found the most effective way to do this was to apply a small drop let it soak in and then apply a little bit more. The ink will gradually spread.






Let everything dry completely.

As I mentioned earlier, Sharpie® Color Burst Markers are water, smear and fade-resistant however, you may decide you want to go an extra step and set the ink.

To set the ink: When the fabric is completely dry, you can set the ink by putting the fabric in a dryer on a low to medium heat setting. Do not use an iron to heat set the fabric. Once the fabric has been set, you can launder the fabric in a cold water wash.

*Rubbing alcohol is flammable and is a skin irritant. Use in a well ventilated area. Not recommended for use by children. Please use care when handling.


 

I love how the pillow turned out! Here it is on another chair. Isn't the colour amazing?!


Here it is again on the chair I reupholstered with the fabric I designed using the Sharpie® Color Burst Markers. 

I had some extra fabric left over so I made a bunch of ribbon for gift wrapping.

To make the ribbon, cut or tear strips of the fabric and have fun adding designs to the fabric. I used the same big dot technique for the ribbon using one of the pretty green Sharpie® Color Burst Markers.





The new, limited edition Sharpie® Color Burst Markers are available at Walmart, Staples, Loblaws, Deserres, Michaels and Amazon.ca and retail (MSRP) for $5.99 (5 pack) and $28.99 (24 pack).

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Disclaimer: Wear protective gloves. Wear eye or face protection. Use in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. Keep containers tightly closed when not in use. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using these products. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

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