This is a heartwarming story featuring Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow about getting crafty with a pillowcase, some fabric paint, and a metal grate, hence that pun-tastic title.
I don’t know about you, but I always seem to have one or two extra pillowcases around. We only have one set of sheets per bed, but I think since I buy two extra pillows for every bed (and therefore need extra pillowcases) I must see them on sale and grab them without making sure I really need them (hence the over-abundance). Really, it’s sort of a mystery to me since I’m the girl who won’t buy tomato sauce or toothpaste unless I’m sure I’m out, but maybe in another life I was short a pillowcase and it ruined my day so now I hoard them. Truly, it’s weird.
But anyway, I had this extra pillowcase so I thought it would be fun to use it as spare fabric and get a little crafty. And thus this project was born. First I taped it off in a rectangular shape using painter’s tape to hold the fabric taut. Oh and I slipped a piece of cardboard inside the pillowcase to keep it from bleeding or sticking together before taping it down.
Then I taped this cute metal grate over it that I picked up at Home Depot for $9, which I immediately looked at and my brain said “um – STENCIL!” At first I debated doing this on paper to make some frame-able art, so you can go that route too, but then I thought using fabric paint on a pillowcase and stitching that up to make an easy little bolster could be fun, so I veered that way at the fork in the road that is Craft Street.
I raided my supply drawer for some Martha Stewart craft paints (they say right on the label that they work on fabric – and they’re only a few bucks a pop so I grab them in colors that I like whenever I see them on sale). I also had these stencil brushes (the ones in the blue package) in my craft basket after using a coupon to get them almost free a little while back from Michaels, so I was happy to finally put them to good use. All told, the only thing I bought for this project was the $9 grate, but if you had to pick up the paint and the brushes and the grate it would probably be around $20 as long as you have some fabric on hand. The good thing is that the grate is reusable, so you could make a few pillows or even a table runner and matching napkins and then make some art/stationery/gift tags with it. Oh man, now I’m thinking about the holiday-gift potential…
Next it was stamping time. I tried not to load my brush up too much (I worried from the start that things could bleed under the grate – and thick paint applications can make fabric crunchy) so I dabbed it on a paper towel a few times to get rid of excess paint before tap-tap-tapping my way around the grate. I tried to do sections of colors in sort of an irregular wave shape, just so nothing looked like obvious stripes and dots, but had more of a sand-art feeling. Oh yeah, who remembers sand art?
Occasionally I blended stuff using a bunch of extra dabs. This is what the blue did on top of the yellow after some extra pats in that area (see how it mixed to create sort of a yellow to green to blue gradient there?).
In other places I went with less of a blended edge and more of a defined color-meets-another-color border. It was fun and loosey-goosey and the whole thing probably took me around twenty minutes.
I waited a little while to remove the grate (maybe an hour?) just because I worried I’d shift it slightly while ripping off the tape and smear the whole thing. When it dried and I finally removed it… welp, there was some bleeding in a few areas. At first I was sad, but the more I looked at it, the more I liked the varied/imperfect pattern. It almost reminded me of constellations.
I think if you were going for a perfectly clean-lined look at home, using some stencil adhesive to stick the grate to the paper/fabric might result in a crisper edge, and using even less paint on your brush (and just dabbing it suuuper lightly) would probably cut down on the bleeding issue as well.
But in the end, I’m calling those imperfections a happy accident. Sort of like how you pay the big bucks for those hand stamped block printed fabrics that are cool and irregular… but that’s the charm. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Update: For those asking if this is washable, someone commented to say they had luck washing fabric that they painted with the same Martha Stewart product by following the directions on the container, so it looks like it can work! I’d just read the label first to find out what you’re dealing with if you plan to wash the item often (like cloth napkins for example) because other fabric paints might have simpler instructions.
Heck, I also think the grate is pretty great art itself. So you could always just paint the grate and not worry about any bleeding under it and then use a metal snip to cut it to fit a frame.
And now that I’ve mentioned the potential for reusing the grate, I’m kind of excited at the idea of a homemade runner or a matching set of napkins. Anyone else planning to try their hand at some grate creations? Will Ethan Hawke be invited? Will Gwyneth Paltrow bring the crudités?
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Sharon Sprague says
This is one of my top 3 things you’ve ever done…next to the “All You Need Is Love” artwork and the clothing pin lampshade. I am so in love with this project. And it’s so fun to come across something (like a grate used in your home) and picture it for another project (stenciling)! Aren’t those aha’s great?!??? Really cute stuff here! Thanks so much for sharing it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sharon! Those are a few of our favorite projects. So sweet to hear!
xo
s
Cassie says
So beautiful, very inspiring!
Crystal says
Oh my gosh I love it sooo much! I wonder how long it would take to do a whole tablecloth or maybe a shower curtain…….great idea! Do you by any chance know what that grate is really used for?
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’s a heat exchange grate thing, so if you have a cabinet and you’re routing a heating/cooling vent under the cabinet so it comes out at your feet under the sink or something (instead of the cabinet just blocking it so no heat comes out), you’d buy that and cut it up and use it as a cover so the air can pass through freely.
xo
s
christie says
if you’re wondering to be able to find it in the store, i think this is it!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Building-Products-1-ft-x-2-ft-Aluminum-Mill-Union-Jack-Sheet-56008/100250804
Pat S says
Pretty nifty! I think it looks grate! (Pun intended.)
Isabelle says
I imagine that getting your creative juices flowing with art projects like this is helping that little bun develop his/her right side of the brain :-)
As an apartment dweller, I also like this small weekly craft projects. Thanks $herdog, keep ’em coming!
Fara says
I’ve been searching and searching for curtains for our newly painted master bath. Now, I think I will just make them with a stencil! I’m thinking canvas drop cloth (cheaper than I thought) and stencil. Perfect. And about a million other ideas are popping up. Love this!
Jaime says
I’ve seen people use those metal things as a magnetic board. I think the pillow turned out awesome. I really like that it’s perfectly imperfect. :)
Courtney G says
I have a similar grate that I painted, cut &
Hot glued into a frame — and it’s the perfect place to hang my earrings!
YoungHouseLove says
Fun!
xo
s
Jodi says
ooooh! super cute!
M.C.@ ThousandStoryKitchen says
Oh it looks awesome! I love the happy accidental bleed and the colors are so fun! Where are you going to put this? And also, I can’t believe you have just one set of sheets for every bed!!! My linen closet looks like a Linens&Things threw up. You’re inspiring me to attack my excess…
YoungHouseLove says
It’s in the guest room right now, but I think it could work in Clara’s room or even the office (on the chair in the corner) so I think it’ll get around!
xo
s
fd says
I love it! I think the bleed is brilliant: it looks like those old photos on film that were taken into the sunlight on a really hot Summer’s day. Gorgeous colours.
Necole@seriouslysassymama says
Ok, that was super cool!
Natalie says
Happy accident indeed! My coworker and I were just admiring how the imperfections really seem to add to the design. I believe there was a word for that in my college printmaking class, but it escapes me at the moment. Whatever it’s called, yours definitely turned out super adorable :)
lauren says
How cool!!! I love the bleeding effect.
Heidi P. says
SMITTEN!!!!!!!!!
GreenInOC says
I was wondering how you got that cool effect which turns out to be an “accident”. Happy accident indeed!!
In case you were wondering, this would be a great b-day present for me (I know, now you can sleep better having that little bit of info!).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, happy birthday!
xo
s
GreenInOC says
I not’s by birthday today (but thanks for the happy wishes!), just wanted to help you plan!!
YoungHouseLove says
Ah yes, always good to have some lead time for those things. Haha!
xo
s
Katie says
I love this! I am currently in the midst of redoing both of my daughters rooms and this is such a great idea for a couple of tween girl rooms!
Thanks for sharing!
Jihane says
Waaaaw!I’m impressed. You could have said that the imperfect lines were made on purpose and I would have believed you because they make the pillow even more original (not too geometrical). PS: I just wanted to say that I love all kinds of posts and all kinds of projects, and mostly I appreciate the fact that you are doing the projects that work for you and for your home and not whatever project just to fill a post or satisfy some readers :) xoxo
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jihane!
xo
s
Kyle says
MAN I love this.
Hanna says
So cool!
My husband used a similar metal grate from Home Depot to build our radittor covers:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ORJNUBnOADk/UXyXWcSiWWI/AAAAAAAAH58/37nGvhzYhIo/s1600/IMG_0553_small.JPG
This one is in the kids’ bedroom I wonder if I should detach the metal part, make some curtains for the kids’ room, and then re-attach, with colors. Could be pretty cool. :) Don’t know what would happen to the paint when the heat goes on though… /ponder
Hanna says
Urg, spelling horribleness. /shame
YoungHouseLove says
Aw I love that project Hanna! No shame allowed either. I misspelled Gwyneth today!
xo
s
Ashley says
I love it Sherry! This is so inspiring in many ways. In what area of the store was the grate? Is it meant for an AC vent?
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, I think it’s near heating/cooling stuff (sort of by the mailboxes and mailbox numbers in my store).
xo
s
dkl says
Is it just me, or is there a vague outline of the United States?
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Someone else said they saw Virginia! Subconscious location art…
xo
s
Lisa @ Double Door Ranch says
Yay for mixing in smaller projects! I’ve had my eye on those grates for so long, knowing they could be used for something awesome. And of course, you nailed it!
I got my garage organization post up on the blog today, after recovering from the sheer exhaustion of actually organizing. :)
Lesley says
I love the way it turned out. The constellation comment made me realise that I was picking up a sort of sparkly vibe with the center white spots, like a disco!
I’m sure dance parties will ensue…
Sandy says
I have some plain white Ikea curtains that I’ve been contemplating stenciling. You have inspired me to go ahead and do it! I love how your pillow turned out. The bleed through actually makes it look more artsy than if it had come out perfectly. Love these crafty posts!
Sara says
So cool and creative!
Ruthie says
I love this!! Such a different crafty project that is totally original!
Katharine says
COMPLETELY LOVE IT!
Hillary @ The Friendly Home says
No way! Those grates are $18 at my Home Depot in Colorado Springs! I just bought one for a project I’m working on now (it’s 12″ x 24″), and used the same kind in this return air grille project I did last fall. Your pillow turned out great!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! Someone else linked to it on sale at Lowe’s for $7 online. So crazy how they vary in price! Maybe Colorado Springs is fancy? Haha! But regardless of the price, OH MAN YOUR GRILLE IS SO PRETTY! I love it. And now it sounds like I’m complimenting Ja-Rule (I love your grille, hah!)
xo
s
Hillary @ The Friendly Home says
Yep, we’re super fancy here. Fancy grilles, fancy prices. It’s like the Paris of the Rockies, I tell ya. Now I’m going to have to go check my Lowe’s to see if I can get a better deal! Thanks for the heads up.
Mary says
Holy cow Sherry! I am in love. I immediately started thinking about all the things I was going to stencil with a grate. Wall art for my office at work (I’m a school counselor). Christmas cards. And winter pillows with silver and gold. Ahhh! I’m going to be needing an immediate trip to the craft store!
Alissa says
I love it! Those colors make me think of state fairs and candy buttons. You’re making me hungry… :)
Amanda E says
Gorgeousness! The ‘imperfection’ is gorgeous. I definitely think you should frame the grate – love the rainbow-y blend-y-ness of it.
sarina says
Wow.. that really brought back memories from my childhood.
I started school in 1970.. so definitely experienced some of that groovy decade first hand. One of the most common crafts we had in schoo was to Tie Dye a t-shirt. Of course we never had a T-shirt to dye! I don’t know if it was because my parents were too “conservative” to allow us to actually wear “hippie” clothing. It could have been that we never told her in enough time for her to buy us any. It is also entirely possible that my cheapy cheaperson parents thought it was a waste of money!
Whatever it was we ALWAYS showed up to t-shirt day with a spare pillowcase to tie dye. I guess we had a glut of those!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I love tie dye! I have to dive back into that someday. Reminds me so much of summer camp!
xo
s
Tanya says
Oh wow! Such pretty result! So inspired now. I absolutely feel that the imperfections made it the awesomeness that it currently is.
Jackie says
This idea is freaking awesome. Quick note this is also referred to as an ‘aluminum sheet’ on the Lowes and HD websites – looks like it’s on sale for $7 right now. :)
http://www.lowes.com/pd_317836-81-56004_0__?productId=3583232&Ntt=aluminum+sheet+metal&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Daluminum%2Bsheet%2Bmetal&facetInfo=
YoungHouseLove says
Nice!!
xo
s
Megan says
LOVE IT!! So creative! Would this pillowcase then be washable? Sorry if it’s already been asked or maybe a dumb question. I’m thinking of things I could do with this technique for my bedroom, but my dog sheds….so it would need to be washable. Enjoying the splash of crafts every week – you guys are amazing!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Someone in the comments said they’ve had luck washing Martha Stewart paints, you just have to follow the directions on the container. I sewed my cushion in so I think I’ll just spot clean it for the most part, but it’s nice to know in a desperate moment I could cut the seam along the bottom and wash it with those directions on hand!
xo
s
Erika K says
I love it and I actually like that the pattern is imperfect. I’m glad you’ve been doing some crafty projects. I’ve missed them!
Susan says
Fear not the bleeding…it truly turns this project from good to great!! Funny how it works out that way sometimes.
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
YAY! These kinds of posts are such a nice variation! I was hoping for more. You have talent in the craft department too. :)
This has so many possibilities! Love it!
thelady says
I wonder if the grate can be used to create a magnetic inspiration board? Might have to buy one and give it a try for my home office.
YoungHouseLove says
I think I’ve seen a few people do that, so hopefully it works!
xo
s
Jeanna B says
I see that Annie Selke Links fabric peeking out behind your awesome stencil. I’ve loved this bubblegum pink goodness since I spotted it in an adorable girl’s room on Houzz.com ages ago. Looks great!
Megan says
I love how that turned out! The colors are so pretty together.
Mary says
Don’t worry about the bleeding – I thought you’d found some fancy fabric somewhere. Now that I know I can make my own… :DDDDD
Kerstin says
At first glance I thought that the bleeding spots were flowers, that you later stamped or painted on…
Looks great!
Jessica says
Only one set of sheets per bed??? How do you guys manage? I would never have the one set completely washed and dried in time to get it back on the bed before I went to sleep. We also switch to flannel when it gets cold so we have a lot of sheets… maybe that’s why my linen closet is overflowing?
YoungHouseLove says
I think from living in tiny NYC apartments we are just weirdly sparse in some areas. We just wash sheets in the morning on a Sat or Sunday and they’re done and ready for the bed a few hours later.
xo
s
Karina says
Awesome!!!
Jen Flora says
I have to say that I think the bleeding made it WAY better. Love it – great job!
Eadie says
Now see, what I LOVE about it is indeed, the bleed! It was the first thing I noticed, and is more visually interesting to me because of the irregularity. I think it allows space for interpretation, kind of like the “constellations” you said. Thanks for this fun tutorial- Easy enough for a novice like me to do, and inspiring for similar type projects! :) Thanks! I have to say, I never thought it was missing, but it’s nice to have a fun little “craft break” in the middle of all the house-work! Woot!
Aliesha says
Love how this turned out! I really like it when you share small DIY projects like this.
Anne says
Wow, I didn’t even notice the bleeding when I looked at the post. I say that’s a happy accident. :) I have a pillow and pillowcase just sitting in my upstairs landing that I cannot place or find a place for. Ha! I was also sitting here contemplating the Ethan and Gwyneth reference until I thought of the movie they were both in. D’oh! LOL! :)