Materials:fabric (Ponderosa) Jo-Ann, Etc.
liquid starch
roller and paint tray
scissors
long level
pencil
wallpaper brush
utility knife
flat blades
Steps:
Note:When selecting fabric for a starched wall treatment, make sure it is heavy enough to handle the pulling and stretching it will take yet light enough to hold onto the walls. Cotton decorator fabrics meant for draperies and light upholstery are perfect.
1. If necessary, paint the walls (latex satin is a good choice) and let dry.
2. To start, draw a vertical level line on the wall where you want the first panel to end, making sure the panel starts about one inch around the previous corner. Cut several panels of fabric in lengths about four to six inches longer than the height of the wall.
3. Fill a paint tray with starch and use a paint roller to fill in the area where the first panel will be located. Press the first panel in place on the wall, and then smooth it out with your hands. Once the panel is flat, roll over the fabric with a starch-filled roller to saturate it and help adhere it to the wall. Press the fabric in place with your hands or brush over it with a wallpaper brush to smooth out any wrinkles. Cut the excess off at the top and the bottom using a flat blade and a utility knife (have plenty of blades to change them after nearly every cut). Once the panel is trimmed, use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess starch. This will allow it to dry faster and without any residue.
4. For the second panel, measure the space that needs to be covered and cut the fabric accordingly, leaving excess around all edges to cut off. Roll the wall with starch, and then take the edge and turn it under. Place it over the edge of the first panel to create the look of a seam. Smooth out the fabric, cutting slits in the corners for the fabric to hug the edges of the trim. Smooth up to the ceiling and baseboards as well and trim as needed.
5. For a light switch, be sure to turn off the power at the breaker first. Feel where the edges of the box are located, and make a slit in the center of the fabric. Use scissors to work out to the edges of the box and cut off the excess. Wipe off the panel with a sponge and continue around the room in this fashion until you overlap the first corner and the project is complete.
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