Painted Silk Wall Hanging

I painted this wall hanging for my mom last year for her birthday, way before I even thought about blogging or taking step-by-step pictures.

Now, I must confess . . . I’m not a great seamstress. I used to be. I was, really! But I followed patterns – precisely, ironed like a fiend, used tons of pins. That was before Hubs & stepsons & grandson.

 

Everything I want to sew now is home decor – no patterns. Just measurements. Ugh, math. Figuring. Ugh.

 

 

But for my mother, you know, I toughed it out. Please forgive the less. than. perfect.sewing. My mother did. But then, that’s what she does.

 

I started with a piece of silk – 18-20” wide and 54” long (decorator silk). I cut 2 long pieces, turned wrong sides out and sewed the side seams, leaving the top & bottom open. I did iron the seam allowances for the top & bottom.

 

Then I turned it right-side out, folded under the top & bottom casing and stitched. I know, I know. I can see all you seamstresses rolling your eyes now. Be gentle with me.

It’s not great, but it works.

 

 

Once all the sewing was done, the painting was simple. I used regular ol’ craft paints with a little metallic gold added in.

 

 

I realize now it’s pretty hard to take pics of silk because of the sheen.

 

I love painting on silk. The paint moves great. I didn’t even use textile medium – which I usually use when painting on fabric.
 

 

I really want to do some more of these, sans sewing. Maybe I should just find a seamstress, huh?