Ikat Fabric Tutorial and Printable Pattern

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Last Thursday, in this post, I asked you to help me with my design dilemma.

I wanted to bring coral into my dining room again, this time on the seat cushions. Most of you thought the Malabar Ikat with the coral background was the best choice for the room,
and I agreed.

Today, I am excited to share the end result with you and show you how I did it.
Part A: Create the Stencil

1. Create an Ikat stencil in photoshop.

To do this, I cut and pasted this photo of Malabar Ikat from Ballard Designs into photoshop.


In photoshop, I created a seamless pattern out of this design and sized it 8 x 11. This made it large and easy to work with.

2. Print the pattern .

I created an 8×11 printable for you. Click here.

When you are finished cutting the stencil out, it will not look exactly like this pattern,
this is just a guideline.

3. Trace the pattern onto stencil sheet with thin permanent marker.

I bought my sheets from Hobby Lobby, they were a little larger than 8 x 11.

If I had to do it over again, I would buy the largest sheet I could find and trace the stencil onto it filling the sheet. This would make the stenciling process alot easier.

This stage is where your stencil becomes your own. I had to alter the Malabar pattern to make it work as a stencil. I had to make sure all of the individual pieces of the pattern were connected so the stencil would be successful.

4. Cut out stencil.

This tool is a lifesaver for cutting out stencils, I think I paid $7.00 at Hobby Lobby, definitely worth it!

I wanted to make the background of my fabric coral. To do this I cut out the gray areas of the stencil. If you wanted to make the ikat coral cut out the white of the stencil.

Part B: Set-up your Fabric and Paint


1. Select Fabric.

I used a cream linen for my fabric. I was very pleased with how the stencil and Simply Screen paint worked on the linen.

2. Iron fabric, lay it flat on a piece of posterboard (something you do not mind getting paint on) and tightly tape the fabric to the board.

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3. Paint

I decided to try Simply Screen, screen printing paint, after seeing these incredible DIY pillows by Cyndy on The Exchange.

She had me sold when she said “when the screen print paint dries, it is just like fabric and doesn’t look “painted” on.” I hate crunchy paint on fabric!

I mixed a custom color using Simply Screen Firetruck, Orange Peel and a little white to cut saturation and make the color less intense.

Cyndy was right, this paint is AMAZING! When you mix it, it becomes an inky goo more like ink than paint. It does not bleed, and there is no variation of color when you put it on the fabric. Best of all it is not crunchy when it dries.

Before I started stenciling, I rubbed stencil adhesive onto the stencil, especially around the edges to keep it tight to the fabric.

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Wow, this is a looong tutorial. Bear with me the fun is just beginning, it is time to stencil your fabric!

Part C: Stencil


1. Lay your stencil straight onto your fabric.

I used a T-square throughout the process to keep the stencil straight.

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2-5.

2. Paint, use a lot of paint, make sure the fabric is wet.

3. Move stencil vertically, lining your stencil up with the portion you just painted. Make sure to keep the stencil straight.

4. Paint

5. Move the stencil horizontally to the first panel you painted. Overlap the first area you painted, to make the transition seamless.

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I had to use the stencil to paint two rows vertically and four columns horizontally to fill approximately 3/4 a yard.

This is why I recommend using a larger stencil sheet, so I would not have had to overlap the stencil as often.

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Me stenciling away, doesn’t this look like fun!?
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Finished with the first piece, three to go
Unfortunately, I ran out of paint after the third piece, so currently I have one more to paint….but I’ll show the results anyway…But before I do…

I couldn’t put my beautiful NEW ikat fabric on my old, beat up chairs…so I gave them a fresh coat of Dover White Gloss spray paint.

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READY?!
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…and Here is the new dining room
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I still have a few things in here to finish, but I am happy so far.
I hope the tutorial helps you get your Ikat on!
Don’t forget to enter Crazy Day’s of May Giveaway!

I am participating in these parties this week: Spray Paint Party,Whassup Wednesday’s,Wow Us Wednesday’s, Swing Into Spring, Wicked Awesome Wednesday, What I Whipped Up Wednesday, Hookin Up With HoH, Get Your Brag On, Thrifty Thursday’s, Somewhat Simple, Transformation Thursday,Thrifty Thursday, Delightfully Inspiring, Flaunt it Friday, Simply Designing, My Repurposed Life, Feature Yourself Friday, Frugalicious Friday, New Friend Friday, Weekend Wrap Up, Saturday Spotlight, Chic DIY, Sundae Scoop, Crafty Day, Not Baaad Sundays, Sunday Showcase, Petite Hermine, Just Something I Whipped Up, Making the World Cuter Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Make it for Less Monday,DIY Project Parade, Party Time, Market Me Monday, Mad Skills Party, Motivate Me Monday, Tip Me Tuesday, How To’s Day

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Comments

  1. Sadie + Stella says:

    Absolutely impressive!! Blown away! Way to go Elizabeth!

    http://www.sadieandstella.blogspot.com

  2. Oh my gosh!!!! The fabric came out great!! The room looks really beautiful with that color as an accent! I love the art on the wall too especially against that wall color. I want to live in your dining room! I can't believe how well your stenciling came out – it looks like it was printed!

  3. Your dining room is stunning! Thank you for sharing the tutorial. This is one of the best stencil jobs I have ever seen!

  4. jandjhome says:

    This is unbelievable. Looks incredible and I can't believe you made your own stencil.

  5. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says:

    wow! want to come make me some of that fabric… i mean it looks awesome, and you do look like you are having so muuch fun with the stenciling. :) seriously awesome!

  6. lizziefitz says:

    Beautiful! Great DIY. Can you scotch guard the fabric?

  7. Jess @ House Sweet Home says:

    That is so stunning!! I have been wanting to cover a couple of chairs in Ikat, but I haven't been able to find the right fabric! I might have to do this! Thank you!

  8. It looks so amazing. Great Job and thanks for sharing the tutorial.

  9. Carrie @ Hazardous Design says:

    Incredible!
    Thanks for the tutorial and the tip to use screen printing ink. I'm also loving the art above your buffet. Did you paint that yourself?

  10. Diana Joy says:

    Wow…fabulous finished project and your room looks amazing. Great tutorial. thanks

  11. Elizabeth, I just saw this project mentioned by Danika and I HAD to see what you made–it's fantastic! Your dining room looks amazing, and the chairs are so fun now! Congrats on a job well done!

  12. Elizabeth@themustardceiling says:

    @ Carrie. Yes, painted the art above the buffet when we first moved in and never hung it anywhere.

  13. Wow! Gorgeous room – love the colors. You have the patience of a Saint to make those yourself, but they turned out beautifully and you saved yourself a lot of money. Great job. I'm your newest follower. Pop over for a visit sometime and be sure to enter my giveaway.
    xoxo,
    Kim

  14. AMAZING! I have an Ikat stencil and I think I'll give it a try on some fabric. Love your outcome!

  15. What was the cost for the DIY version? Just wondering as I think about my own projects. Thanks!

  16. McNamara Design says:

    LOVE!!! Such a great idea! Looks amazing!

  17. Carly {Honey and the Moon} says:

    I am blown away! Your chairs look FANTASTIC! x

  18. Cristin @ Simplified Bee says:

    You made your own stencil! I am impressed. Looks amazing. I have tried my had at block printing… purchased some block from India. I need to try the paint you used though. Thanks!

    xo,
    cristin

  19. Carol@TheDesignPages says:

    So completely fantastic. Bravo, it looks like a million bucks!

  20. Mission Decorate says:

    WOW! That is wonderful. Love the color. It looks amazing with the white chairs.

  21. sharonsmorton says:

    The dining room is just beautiful, looks like it came off the pages of a Design publication.
    Your art work that you painted, wow how it brought everything together. Great Job Girl!

    You are an incredible interior designer and DIY
    instructor.

  22. Tiffany says:

    That is awesome! How smart, and it looks great!

  23. Allison says:

    It's gorgeous! You did an amazing job with the stenciling and painting your own fabric. Good for you! It looks beautiful as does your dining room. That pop of coral is perfect. I love your artwork on the wall, too!

  24. designchic says:

    How good are you…this is amazing!! Adore the bright color ~

  25. Heather J says:

    I am impressed Elizabeth! It all looks great…the fabric, the chair, the room!

  26. The Exchange says:

    Wow Elizabeth!! Absolutely amazing! You did an incredible job and I'm glad you loved the paint. It is pretty incredible paint! Great job with your tutorial too. I am inspired to make my own stencil now thanks to you!
    Great job!
    Cheers!
    Cyndy

  27. Elizabeth – this turned out lovely! Great job!!

  28. I am super impressed. That came out amazing. I have to try that paint. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.

  29. Houndstooth and Nail says:

    Just found your blog through Small But Mighty. I'm loving it. The ikat, come on, that's beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial!
    :)
    ~ingrid

  30. Tiffany @ {Living Savvy} says:

    Amazing, amazing, amazing! I have attempted to use fabric paint on some slipcovers I have and I was not happy with the results. I will have to check out the screen printing paint!! Great Job! The chairs look great!

    Tiffany {Living Savvy}
    http://www.savvydesignwest.com

  31. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says:

    That came out so great. Love all the colors in that room. Thanks so much for linking this up to our Wicked Awesome Wednesday link party!

  32. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says:

    Oh my gosh this is so awesome. I can't believe you made your own stencil- so impressed! I need to try that screen printing paint. I've only ever used fabric medium when painting on fabric.

  33. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says:

    Wow, is right!! Love this and you made the stencil. The dining room looks great! Thanks for joining WUW!

  34. Naomi@DesignManifest says:

    So impressive!! I am definitely saving this post. Thanks for sharing.

    Now my brain is abuzzin with stenciling ideas :)

  35. Love it Elizabeth!! Well done. You always have the best tutorials and I appreciate that!

  36. Kelle Dame says:

    OMG! AMAZING!!! That pink is gorgeous! I am definitely filing this one away! Great tutorial too! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Kelle
    xx

  37. Peppermint Bee says:

    Fantastic job! I really love it!

  38. theeclecticlife says:

    Elizabeth! This is a SERIOUSLY impressive tutorial! I totally want to use this for our next home. Thanks for sharing your interior wisdom and being mindful of our tight budgets!

  39. Nicole@Thrifty Decorating says:

    Wow! That was an amazing tutorial! I'm going to feature it next week!

    I just love your black table! Did you paint it?? Your dining room is beautiful!

    Thanks for linking to Thrifty Thursday. :)

  40. Jessica @ O. Alouette says:

    Wow that is so clever! The end result is amazing. I love the colors in your dining room!

  41. Annette {One Perfect Room} says:

    Elizabeth, this is AWESOME!! Great job!

  42. Lisa - L.M. Interiors says:

    I just came across this post. You are very artistic and the chairs are stunning in the room!

  43. The chairs look amazing. Your stencil turned out great and the dining room is fabulous, it really looks beautiful. I'm a new follower, thanks for sharing the great tutorial.

  44. Alexis @ persia lou says:

    I love the coral pops in that grey dining room. Beautiful!

  45. WOW!!! This is awesome, Elizabeth! You did such a wonderful job, they look fantastic!

  46. Wow! what amazing results and what a fabulous tutorial! Where did you buy the paints from? I couldn't find them in any local art stores.

  47. radn@HouseonAshwelllane says:

    Brilliant!

    I am having a giveaway on my blog. $30 store credit to get a cape from Pip and Bean.Check it out!
    http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/05/30-store-credit-free-shipping-to-get.html

  48. kristincita says:

    love LOve LOVE! also I am enchanted by the wall art. i am decorating the waiting room of a small non-profit health center with very little budget. I have to work with the peach colored walls so am trying to bring in more modern colors. I may try to mimic your wall art to tie in the peach color. THANK YOU!

  49. Katherines Corner says:

    Beautiful, nicely done, thank you so much for sharing with us. I enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog. I'm following now. I hope you'll stop by Katherines Corner and say hello and maybe even enter my latest giveaway. Hugs!

  50. Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says:

    Oh wow! LOVE how that turned out!! That is definitely a lot of work, but it definitely paid off. Stunning results.

  51. Sheer Serendipity says:

    What an impressive job you did on the fabric and the diningroom! Thanks for the tutorial!

  52. This project turned out GREAT!!! Thanks so much for the tutorial….I really want to try this!!!

  53. Simple Dwellings says:

    Wow, Elizabeth- this is amazing! Great job. Very inspiring too! Your dining room also looks gorgeous!! :)

  54. SHERRY HART says:

    Holy flipping toledo!!! That is awesome and you have a ton of patience! I could not be more impressed!

  55. Steph @ BirdhouseFamily says:

    This is so amazing! Thanks for sharing.

  56. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says:

    Hi Elizabeth, The Ikat stencil is brilliant. I love the pattern and the fabric looks top end – amazing work. Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase party – I greatly appreciate it. I hope you don't mind that I have included this in today's features. Hope you have a lovely holiday weekend ~ Stephanie Lynn

  57. Ann from On Sutton Place says:

    Hey Elizabeth…I love, love, love your dining room! The colors are just perfect and your chairs turned out great. I wish my husband would agree to let me paint my dining room chairs…but he is being stubborn. I'm going to show him this room in the hope that he'll come around. Wish me luck!

  58. So fabulous! I am obsessing over Ikat fabric right now, so I had to click and learn more about how you put it to work! I knew I was in the right place when I saw your blog background! ;)

  59. Courtney {a thoughtful place} says:

    I am head over heels for this project. I just with they would appear on my chairs however. So well done!

  60. American Gypsy says:

    This is really great. I adore global-themed rooms & decor and just reposted your tutorial with lots of links back to your blog.
    (and I'm your newest follower!)

    xoxojess
    http://www.americangypsyliving.com

  61. Design Junkie says:

    I found you through American Gypsy. So simple, but so brilliant! Yours turned out fantastic. Are you taking orders? Seriously.

  62. something that might save some time for you: freezer paper. you cut the stencil out of freezer paper, and iron (dry, not steam) the stencil onto the fabric, shiny side down. the shiny side adheres to the fabric, and doesn't leave a residue. you could also use a spray paint since the fabric is so well protected, but of course, you are limited to the colors available. i've reused my stencils, but with a water-based paint, the plasticized paper may not last.
    colorinformal.blogspot.com

  63. fric and frac says:

    Absolutely gorgeous! The fabric is beautiful and looks great on your chairs!

  64. This is so AWESOME! I love the ikat prints..I will definitely be trying this soon.

    http://www.creationsbybonnybee.blogspot.com

  65. The Tablescaper says:

    I CANNOT believe you did this. Awesome.

    - The Tablescaper

  66. This is so amazing!

  67. Allegra Bridges says:

    I enjoy your blog and would love to know how you did the beautiful artwork you painted. I’m willing to give it a try and give my beach cottage a little modern vibe. Thanks, Allegra

  68. This is freaking fantastic. I’m obsessed.

  69. Hi Elizabeth,

    Any idea if the Simply Screen paint could be used directly on upholstery? Solid color, of course.

    Thank you for a very inspired post.

    Nick
    Black Fox Manor Historic Inn
    Prince Edward Island
    Canada

    BlackFoxManor.Com
    BlackFoxManor@live.ca

  70. I absolutely LOVE the color and how your stenciling turned out. Viva la ikat!!!!!!!!!
    Hillary Butler {Fine Art} recently posted..Color Crush: Cadmium Red & MintMy Profile

  71. Wow! You are unbelievable! Amazing!

  72. Linda Leyble says:

    Hi – just found your site! I think t might ave been through Pinterest – nt sure. But…I love it! I want to try doing a complex design to create a fabric that I am in love with. It’s more free form and kind of like Chinese brush strokes done vertically and somewhat randomly in several colors. I think I would ave to just do it by and and not a stencil. I will let you know hw it turns out!

    Great work

    Linda

Trackbacks

  1. [...] new in here). We DIYed the wainscoting (in 2008).  This year, I sewed burlap drapes, stenciled Ikat fabric for the chairs, sewed a table skirt for the buffet and changed the artwork. Entry: Not much [...]

  2. [...] too next to the pretty new table.  After seeing how Elizabeth at the Mustard Ceiling made her own ikat stenciled seat cushions, I decided to try a similar process for my chairs.  I will start off by saying this was a [...]

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