Painting on Burlap?
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Original Post
So I bought like 7 yards of Lime Green Burlap for $2. I want to use it to make a banner for my Etsy booth. So originally I was thinking of cutting out felt letters and gluing them on but now I am too lazy and too broke, so is there a way to paint on burlap? Would I have to gesso the surface first? How would I seal it?
Even without painting it, is there a way to make it stop shedding? Every time I pick it up I get covered in lime green lint.
Posted at 6:32pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
Responses
I don't think you need to gesso it, just paint right on it. Depends what you're wanting to do I guess. If you want a lot of control with the paint, then gesso, or regular primer(cheaper) it.
Burlap is a nasty shedder. But oh-so-cool. You could dilute white glue 50% with water and paint it on. That would be a way to seal it I think. It'll dry totally clear.
Posted at 6:47pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
I also have a ton of burlap but am unsure of how to use it. There was a seller here that was selling painted burlap bags. You could do an advanced search to locate her. Maybe try an artist's fixative to stop the shedding and to seal it. Gesso would probably be a good idea to keep the paint from soaking through and it would make your colors more vivid.
Posted at 6:48pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
If you figure out the shedding thing without spraying it with some clear coat or glue, let me know :D If you're going to paint, make sure to have something underneath. Because it's such an open weave, go with really high contrast paint.
Posted at 6:49pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
yeah, clear gesso would seal it, but it would also stiffen it (obviously.)
I'd just hit it with acrylic paint and do your lettering that way. if it's too 'hairy', just give the letters a few coats.
depending on the density of the threads, it shouldn't be too unmanagable.
good luck!
-J
Posted at 6:58pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
I've used burlap for backing some rugs and wallhangings.
throwing it in the washing machine & dryer first helps A LOT with the shedding.
Posted at 9:25pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
nice tip midnight! Thanks I will have to try that! And thanks everyone else I will try it out and see what happens... :)
Posted at 9:26pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
Yes, great tip midnight! I'm gonna try that tomorrow if my laundry room reopens. Heat wave= power problems= laundromat is closed. :(
Posted at 11:16pm Aug 3, 2006 EDT
Well I have just put it through the wash... and my dryer is full of lime green lint... anyone in need of lint for a project... ? j/k
There is def. less shedding happening though... which is great... thanks for the tip... I will try and pain on it tomorrow... :)
Posted at 10:15pm Aug 5, 2006 EDT