Day of the Dead DIY #11: Upholstering a Chair with Mexican Fabric

For today's DIY we took a beautiful embroidered pillowcase we had purchased on last year's trip to Chiapas and upholstered a thrifted chair with it.  Perfect for any Day of the Dead celebration, dinner party or even set up next to your altar!

What we used:
-Mexican fabric (you can use anything fabric, whether it be a tapestry, something vintage, or a pillowcover)
-an old chair (use a boring one that you want to spice up, but preferably something easy to take apart)
-hammer
-nails
-scissors

What we did:

1. First, we simply unscrewed the upholstered part of the chair.
2. Then, we cut out as much of the pillow cover as was needed to cover this part of the chair completely and wrap underneath it.
3. After, we wrapped our square of Mexican fabric around the existing upholstery (we left the old stuff there for extra cushioning).
4. We then hammered nails into the bottom through the new fabric so anchor the fabric in place.
5. We turned it over and sat on it, thinking happily, this is quite a comfy, Mexican-inspired chair.

Day of the Dead DIY #4: Fabric Covered Light Switch Plates

DoD DIY #4 is a very unique take on Dia De Los Muertos decor. We've taken light switch plates and covered them with Day of the Dead themed fabric using Mod Podge!

Here's what you'll need:
-a jar of mod podge
-scissors
-a paintbrush
-Day of the Dead fabric (buy it here)
-some light switch plates

What to do:
1. Position fabric the way you want the images to show on top of your light switch plate.
2.Apply mod podge to your light switch plate.

3. Cut a slit in the center of the piece you will be placing on the plate (this will allow you to cut out the area where the actual light switch will show through).
4. Adhere the fabric to the plate, wrapping the excess fabric around the entire plate (this way all sides are completely covered).
5. Wait until the podge dries and begin cutting off excess fabric from the back.
6. Cut a rectangle out from the center (the slit makes this simple).

7. Punch tiny holes in the fabric where the actual holes in the plate are.
8. Screw your new DoD plate onto your light switch!

Like to get crafty?  Join us on Saturday, September 7th, here at Casa Artelexia between 12-4pm for one of our art workshops. Check them out! Piñata Workshop & Sugar Skulls

DIY Mouse Pad

Yesterday I was working away on my computer without a mousepad when my sweet boyfriend pulled out a mousepad that he had from I'm guessing college...and it looked it.  He very excitedly told me I could have it–what's a girl to do!? Smile and say thank you.  Luckily I had some spray adhesive and fabric handy to fix this sucker up in what literally took me two minutes.  Check out my before and after!

Need fabric?  We've got some great new fabrics in-store and online.  Use coupon code DIYBAG at checkout for a 15% off your fabric order.  

New Fabric In-Store and Online!

It's finally arrived!  Check out our new Alexander Henry fabric HERE.  Get 15% off your fabric order when you enter coupon code DIYBAG at checkout.