Painting Grainsacks

So we all know how expensive the old grain and flour sacks can be, especially with them becoming so popular now. So, nothing new, but I decided to try to replicate my own, after using some tips from Mustard Seed Creations. I like the simple striped grain sacks, so I decided to do it simple. I started with bleaching a painted drop cloth (you can get these at the hardware stores for cheap and you end up with a ton of fabric). I spent hours soaking, resoaking in bleach and drying on high heat to soften, whiten and distress the fabric as much as possible. Drop cloth will NOT bleach just by adding a bunch of bleach with the wash cycle.  After I cut my fabric, I had to start by checking my OCD at the door. Miss Mustard Seed was correct on this, as you don't want them to just look like stripes, but old and faded stripes...and it was so liberating to run wild with the brush! Trust me, it's more exciting when your a total neurotic perfectionist to just let it all go! :) So, I taped off with my Frog Tape and some other tape I had laying around. With some fabric paint and some dry brushing a little later, this is what I got.

I love it! It truly looks like an old grainsack in person and I love that I can do these on a whim now that the time consuming part of the fabric bleaching is done. It was kind of addicting, so I might have to add some large ones through the house.

Linked up to:

Somewhat Simple

Life in the Fun Lane

Shabby Chic Cottage

The DIY Showoff

Crazy Domestic

Shabby Nest

Remodelaholic

Just a Girl Show and Share Day

Fingerprints on the Fridge Feature Yourself Friday

Funky Junk Interiors