I needed some cheap art after just spending on ton on new flooring (more on that soon)… So, I stalked Pinterest and found some really awesome pin and string art. Here are some that I really liked:
From: http://greylustergirl.com
From: http://www.mesewcrazy.com
From: www.mrkate.com
Here is my version with instructions and tips below although, I have to admit that it did not turn out as well as I hoped, but after doing it, I know what mistakes to avoid! Spoiler: Don’t use patterned fabric!!!
Okay, first gather all your supplies which would be:
- White Foam Board
- Fabric (I would use a nice, neutral, fabric with no print!)
- Spray Adhesive
- Map pins
- Gold Spray paint (or whatever color you want your pins to be)
- Crochet Thread
- Ruler
- Copy paper (or if you want to make your life easier, use tracing paper)
Next, figure out what you want your sign to say or what image you want. I did a google image search for “Welcome,” found one that I liked, then made it BIG on my computer screen and traced it on paper:
This is the sign that I used as a template.
I used Picasa to copy it and then blow it up so that I could trace it off my monitor. I’m sure there are easier ways to do this, but this worked best for me.
When you have your template, lay it on the foam board where you want it and if you need to, cut your foam board the size you need. I wanted even spacing all around the image and used a razor blade to cut the excess off the board.
Then, cut your fabric to fit over the board with about a two inch overhang on all sides. Spray your board with spray adhesive, then carefully smooth your fabric over the board being careful to get out all creases. Spray the back of the board, then tuck the ends of the fabric under being careful to pull the corners fairly tight. Okay, because I used a patterned fabric, it was a pain in the rear to get the fabric to line up straight, but if you’re using a plain fabric, you shouldn’t have this problem.
You should also spray paint your map pins if want them to be a different color. Mine were multicolored and I wanted them to all be gold so I pinned them on the leftover board piece that I cut off and started spraying.
Okay, so now you should have a board with your fabric covering it and spray painted pins. Place your image on the board then start pinning away.
- When you’re done pinning the outline of the image, carefully tear away the paper. Here is where tracing paper comes in handy because it’s thin so it’s easier to tear away. I used regular copy paper and it was a bugger trying to tear it away. You also need to pin all around the frame so that your thread goes from the image to the outside of the board.
- Next, tie the string to one of the pins and start threading the string from the image pins to the outside pins. There is no right or wrong way to do this. I kept telling myself that this is pin art, not fine art! I found it helpful to outline the image in my string first so that it stood out more (e.g. take the string and wind it around all the pins in the image).
- When you’re done, tie it off on a pin and sit back and admire!
- Okay, so if it isn’t completely obvious, the reason why I thought it was a bad move on my part to use patterned fabric is because it makes it harder to see the outlined “Welcome.” In hindsight, I would’ve used a plain fabric and a multicolored crochet fabric, but sera sera, I still like my little project. I hung it on the wall right next to the garage door so that when our good friends come in through the garage door (as they often do :)), they see the sign. That’s also the door that we normally use, so we get to see it a lot.
- FYI: Total cost for the project was about $15. Not bad!
