Make a silkscreen frame to create customized home decor accents.
Silk-screening is a printing technique that transfers stenciled or hand-drawn images onto a variety of surfaces, such as T-shirts, tote bags, balloons, posters and throw cushions. The creative technique first came into practice in the Far East during the first millennium. While the screens were initially made from silk fabric, common fabrics used today include polyester and nylon. You can make a silkscreen frame inexpensively, customized to the size of your choice, to create your own personalized apparel and accessories.
Instructions
1. Separate the pieces of the picture frame. Remove the backing and then take out the glass. Use a screwdriver to remove the hardware on the back of the frame. Sand the frame where the hardware was removed to create a smooth surface.
2. Lay the frame on your sheer fabric. Use a sheer fabric with a medium density weave. Measure three inches from the frame on each side and use a piece of chalk to trace a rectangle around the picture frame. The chalk rectangle is 3 inches larger than the picture frame on each side. Cut along the chalk line.
3. Lay the picture frame on a clean, flat surface with its good side facing down. Align the sheer fabric on top. Fill the electric or power-assist staple gun with 1/4-inch staples. Hold the staple gun in the middle of one side of the frame, about one-third inch away from the outer edge of the frame. Insert the first staple.
4. Move the staple gun to the side of the frame opposite the first staple. Hold the staple gun one-third inch away from the outer edge of the frame. Pull gently on the sheer fabric and insert the second staple. The sheer fabric should be stretched taught without tugging on the first staple.
5. Insert staples in the center of the two remaining sides of the frame, pulling gently on the sheer fabric as you work. Insert a staple in each corner of the frame. Insert staples in between the staples on the frame. Space the staples about one-quarter inch apart, all the way around the frame.
6. Cut off the fabric beyond the staples. Leave about 1/3 inch of fabric to avoid cutting too close to the staples.
7. Pour a little bit of acrylic varnish sealer in a small bowl. Dip the paintbrush into the sealer and paint the edge of the frame, over top of the staples. Don't paint beyond the inner edge of the frame because this is the printing area of your screen. Let the sealer dry thoroughly.
8. Cover each side of the frame with utility duct tape to cover the staples.
