How to Make a Burlap Picture

For those of you who know me, you know I have an obsession with burlap. I think it is because of its texture and it goes with everything! It also reminds me of when I grew up on a farm in Maryland.

I also like the idea of repurposing things so this project met multiple objectives for me. I get to use burlap, reuse something I already have (old picture frame), and I get to MAKE SOMETHING! ✂️ Life is GOOD!

Here are the steps I took to make this framed burlap tractor.

Materials:

• • old or new frame (the more rustic, the better!)
  • burlap
  • foam board
  • ruler or tape measurer
  • exacto knife
  • computer or picture of an old tractor silhouette (or whatever you want to  make)
  • printer
  • vinyl cutter (optional)
  • black sharpie markers
  • tan/brown craft paper or an old paper bag
  • mud podge
  • foam paintbrush (for glue)
  • paper or alligator clips

Prepare the Frame:

First, I removed the old glass from the frame. I found this frame in my Dad’s barn when we were cleaning out after he passed away. 😢 Dad would be pleased with how I am using this, especially because he had a red Farmall tractor he was restoring before he died.

Cut the Foam to Fit the Frame: 

I measured the foam board to fit snuggly in my frame and used an Exacto knife to cut the foam board.

Cut the Burlap:

My frame was 10.5″ x 8.5″. I cut a piece of burlap 17.5 x 13.5″. In other words, cut your burlap so that it is approximately 2-3 inches larger than your frame ON EACH SIDE.

Then, I ironed the burlap to create a smooth surface.

Create Tractor Picture:

Find a picture that you want to use. I found this tractor on google images. I resized it to proportionally fit my frame and reversed the image. I printed it on white paper.

Transferring the Tractor Image:

This was a little more challenging – – a little trial and error.

I thought about using a fabric transfer sheet and transfer this to the burlap by ironing; however, I was worried it may not transfer very well due to the texture of the burlap.

I ended up printing the tractor as a “cut image” on my Cricut and then traced the outline of the tractor on the burlap using an ultra-fine point black sharpie. If you don’t have a vinyl cutter, you can just print the image and trace it against a window it as I did below.

Next, I printed the tractor image on the printer.  I taped the paper to a window and then taped the burlap over the paper. (The sunlight helped me see the image through the burlap to trace/color in.)  I alternated between the ultra-fine point black Sharpie and the fine point black Sharpie.

Because there were so many details with this particular tractor image, I did some of this freehanded. I am not an artist by any means; I still draw stick people. However, I was able to fill in some of the details. It does not have to be perfect!

Gluing the Burlap to the Foam Board:

Initially, when I began to glue the burlap on the white foam board, you could really see the white through the holes in the burlap. Neal suggested I put a piece of brown paper between the burlap and the foam board. Fortunately, I had a piece of recycled brown craft paper in my stash! I put this between the burlap and the white foam board and it worked like a charm! Thank you to my smart Neal!

I then used a foam brush and mod podge to glue the burlap to the foam board. I made sure the foam board was centered on the back of the burlap.

I folded over the edges, trimming the corners so it would fold over easier and glued these in place too.

I used large clips to hold it in place until it dried.

Insert the Picture in the Frame:

Once it dried, I inserted the burlap in the frame and hung it as part of a gallery wall in our basement. I hung it using hangITstrips to ensure it is hung level.

Here is the first version using a different picture of a tractor (and a thin piece of cardboard, not foam board). 🤨 Neal said it was fine, but I wanted more detail . . .

So as you know, I chose another tractor picture, and here is the final result!

And here it is as part of our new gallery wall in the basement.

Happy Crafting!