Utility Fabrics That Go the DIY Distance
Durable, easy to find and inexpensive, these utility fabrics can bring surprisingly high-end results to your everyday DIY projects
Linen, muslin, drop cloth and duck fabric are all inexpensive and versatile options that can help you revamp a space. Since these fabrics are usually neutral in color, are durable and can be found at many fabric, craft and hardware stores, they're great for DIY projects. Keep a few yards of your favorite utility fabric on hand, and you'll always be ready when an idea presents itself.
Linen offers a lovely way to add a classic touch to crafts and projects. Fine linen can be expensive, but you can also find less expensive linen that works very well for many home projects. It is very durable and able to wick moisture, but it's also a material that easily wrinkles.
Try linen on your bed for a soft and inviting duvet cover. Its natural fibers make it a healthy and comfortable fabric choice.
Try linen on your bed for a soft and inviting duvet cover. Its natural fibers make it a healthy and comfortable fabric choice.
Upholster a headboard or cover part of a wall with linen to revamp a bedroom with an elegant focal point. A few upholstery brads refines the look.
Muslin
Fashion designers usually cut their garments out of muslin as a test drive before they sew their final pieces. Muslin is inexpensive and often gets discarded. But there is beauty in this cheap fabric — the natural color gives it a vintage quality without the vintage price. It dyes very well and is soft and comfortable, lightweight, easy to stitch and incredibly versatile.
As seen with this ruffled shower curtain, muslin is ideal for all kinds of home DIY projects. It is a neutral base that can be enhanced with paint, dye, stitched details or rubber stamping.
Fashion designers usually cut their garments out of muslin as a test drive before they sew their final pieces. Muslin is inexpensive and often gets discarded. But there is beauty in this cheap fabric — the natural color gives it a vintage quality without the vintage price. It dyes very well and is soft and comfortable, lightweight, easy to stitch and incredibly versatile.
As seen with this ruffled shower curtain, muslin is ideal for all kinds of home DIY projects. It is a neutral base that can be enhanced with paint, dye, stitched details or rubber stamping.
Drop Cloth
Drop cloth is similar in color and texture to muslin and is also very inexpensive. Muslin can be found at any fabric store, while drop cloth can be purchased at a home improvement or paint store. It is much thicker and stiffer than muslin, so it's not the best choice for projects with small details. But it's water resistant, and its durability is a safeguard against rips and tears. Use it outside for garden and patio DIY projects, like this draped shade on a gazebo .
Drop cloth is similar in color and texture to muslin and is also very inexpensive. Muslin can be found at any fabric store, while drop cloth can be purchased at a home improvement or paint store. It is much thicker and stiffer than muslin, so it's not the best choice for projects with small details. But it's water resistant, and its durability is a safeguard against rips and tears. Use it outside for garden and patio DIY projects, like this draped shade on a gazebo .
Like muslin, drop cloth is neutral and simple. You may want to add detail or color to integrate it better with your decor. This talented DIYer stamped a pattern onto a large sheet of drop cloth and draped it over the baby's crib. Originally an inexpensive utility fabric, it's now transformed into a glamorous textile.
Here is another creative use for drop cloth: upholstering furniture. Often, traditional upholstery fabric is very expensive, so this could be an affordable and durable alternative. If the thought of white furniture is daunting, dye the fabric a darker color first.
Duck Fabric
Duck fabric, which is made from cotton fibers, is also referred to as canvas. Like drop cloth, it is very durable, thick and stiff, making it a choice for outdoor projects.
Although it's not as soft as muslin, it is still easy to sew and dye. Cotton duck can be found at fabric stores, and it is usually available in basic colors. The natural structure of duck fabric makes it work well as a decorative lampshade, like in this project.
Duck fabric, which is made from cotton fibers, is also referred to as canvas. Like drop cloth, it is very durable, thick and stiff, making it a choice for outdoor projects.
Although it's not as soft as muslin, it is still easy to sew and dye. Cotton duck can be found at fabric stores, and it is usually available in basic colors. The natural structure of duck fabric makes it work well as a decorative lampshade, like in this project.
Duck fabric is naturally water resistant, so it's perfect for a DIY shower curtain. With a curtain liner, or treated with a waterproofing spray, it works well anywhere in the bathroom.
More:
Ecofriendly Fabrics Make the Cut
Decorate With Burlap
More:
Ecofriendly Fabrics Make the Cut
Decorate With Burlap
Most utility fabrics have a rougher texture, which is great for decorators and designers who are looking to add textural interest to a room. This rough linen bedding has a French-countryside feel.