Alternative to fabric medium?

Question

I have a great project in mind (painting upholstery), but will need fabric medium--lots of it. That stuff is super expensive (especially when I'll need to purchase quite a bit of it). Anyone know any less expensive alternatives to using fabric medium?

Z · Answer

What type of upholstery painting project do you have in mind? Many, including myself, have used straight up latex over the past decade and others have used the chalk paints. I'm sure neither lasts forever with daily use, I know mine has stretch marks and a tear or two, but the great thing is they can easily be be fixed with a little more paint for no more cost than what you originally paid for the paint.

Sam Baty-Wright · Answer

Make your own fabric medium by googling it. The recipe I know is on Pinterest!  There are many more on You Tube!  Happy painting!!

Tracy · Answer

not tried it yet but an artist i watch said you can use a mixture of vegetable glycerin and water, ratio is 1:5 then add your acrylic color

Viltcen · Answer

am searching, too. wonder if this helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwxgETI7jvE

Tania · Answer

I used chalk paint (home made) on our dining room chairs 4 years ago, and we use it all day every say, I have 5 kids, they are still as beautiful and clean up fabulously. I thought about fabric medium until I saw the cost!!!

Christine · Answer

I agree it's expensive.  I'm painting my outdoor patio cushions right now, and after one coat I have already gone through 6 bottles of the Martha stewart fabric medium, and now I'm stuck with purchasing at double or tripple that amount to finish the job with the right amount of coats.  It's starting to look like I should have bought new cushions instead of trying to refurbish the old ones.  On the bright side, they do look great, and the fabric seems to be flexible as promised.

Rose Shinn Venci · Answer

1 part glycerin to 5 parts water

User · Answer

Did you try this method ??

Jennifer Cierniak · Answer

I have used ink with alcohol and sprayed the colors on. I do not know if acrylic paints can be thinned with alcohol but may not hurt to try on a scrap. I have some experimenting to do myself as I have several pounds of material I want dyed black. Not the easiest task on Poly/cotton blends.

Sheila Robinson Hennessey · Answer

what if there is no glycerin available?

Perla Bonilla · Answer

Avoid alcohol with water based paints (acrylic or latex) it breaks down the bond between the paint and mediums (already in the paint and any you add). Try Golden (brand) airbrush medium or glazing medium (gloss or satin) they will thin the paint but keep its integrity. Both of these mediums are milky so they will affect color a little (most mediums will). Start thin, test unseen portions first. You can add a little water but not too much - again it will affect the integrity but will also thin the paint so it will be softer/more pliable. Good luck.

Ona · Answer

I came across this and I am definitely going to try it - hope it helps some of you ladies....https://craftinvaders.co.uk/washable-home-made-fabric-paint/

Sharon Holmes · Answer

Have not yet tried it myself but read in a forum for set designers that they use fabric softener. Makes sense, it relaxes the fibers for the paint to saturate more thoroughly. Fabric softner can be made from conditioner so this may also work as well

Shannon · Answer

Could fabric conditioner and water help? I used it for Tie dying a t-shirt when I read it could be used as a fabric medium when mixed with acrylic. The colours were vibrant and though it bled a little when I hand washed it, it was still really good and the paint didn't stiffen the material. It was 3 parts water, 1 part acrylic and half part fabric conditioner but you probably won't need to water it down a lot.

Collyn Welles · Answer

Hi,

I’m trying to paint my fabric Roman shades but I’d like to do it with latex paint. All the textile mediums seem to be for acrylic paints. Does anyone know of a medium for latex? A tested DIY recipe would be even better!! I have a ton of chalk paint additive also but I’m not sure if chalk paint works on upholstery fabric. I’ve heard it makes fabrics very stiff and as I’d like my blinds to still be functional after painting them, I’m not sure that’s the best route. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have!!

Sally gregoire · Answer

Fabric softener works great 2 to 1 paint to softener. Also put a coat of gesso first.

Redcatcec · Answer

As Sally said, 2:1

fabric softener: 2 parts and 1 part paint

Put a layer of gesso on the area you plan to paint, it is a primer that prevents bleeding through.

If you'd like to read more on gesso:

https://www.marthastewart.com/7973502/gesso-paint-primer-explained

Janice · Answer

I have read a lot of info about painting upholstery and some people have used either liquid fabric softener as part of the recipe or inexpensive hair conditioner. Maybe try a small sample of each of these softeners mixed with paint and some water and see which one gives you the finish you're striving for.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Use Matt wall Paint + Fabric conditioner just to stop it going hard. Wants to be a rubbery mix. Helps if you spray all the item to be painted with water to stop it drying out to soon first. Makes paint more spreadable. Maybe you could also use Mod Podge?

Dee · Answer

Combine one part white vinegar, one part vegetable glycerin and two parts water together. So that's 25% vinegar, 25% glycerin and 50% water. That creates a homemade “fabric medium”. Then you mix that in equal parts with your acrylic paint.

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Alternative to fabric medium?

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