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Antique German Grain Sack Tutorial

As promised, I am going to share my secrets of how I made my Antique German Grain Sacks.  I am so pleased with how these turned out, but I am afraid that some of you might be mad at me when I reveal how I did it.  Do not dismay, I have some alternatives…
First of all, I used the fabric that I purchased from Wal-Mart for $2.47/yard called Osnaburg.  It’s a nubby, natural fabric with a loose weave and is an inexpensive substitution for linen or hemp.
Cut a piece to your desired size.  If you’re going to want this to be washable, wash it first!  This is cotton, so it will shrink.  I’m going to frame this piece, so I just ironed it out and cut it to the size of my frame.  Back the fabric with a plastic bag to protect your work surface from any paint that bleeds through.
I used acrylic craft paint in Pewter Grey (Apple Barrel 2620), Black (Apple Barrel 20404) and Burnt Umber (Creamcoat 02026.)  The ratio is about 30% Pewter, 60% Burnt Umber, and 10% Black.  Using a straight black would look too stark and new.  This dark grey/brown color looks like a warm, faded black.
I used a 10/0 liner and a no 4 filbert brush.  The liner was used for the lettering and details and the filbert for the leaves. 
Ok, here’s where you’re going to hate me.  I then painted the design.  Free hand.  Sorry!  But, I do have some ideas for those of you who are not comfortable with this.  First off, make sure you follow my Workshop Series, Decorative Painting 101.  Until you are a proficient decorative artist, you can cut your own stencil out of card stock using a printed image as a template.   Another idea is to use chalk to draw out your design and then paint over that.  Any chalk will come out in the wash.  Lastly, you could tack the fabric to a wall and use a projector. 
I started with the writing that is top and center.  This gives me a reference point for everything else.
I started in the middle with the second line and lightly painted the lettering.
I then added the lettering that was to the left of center.
Once the 2nd line was complete, I filled out and added the detail to the lettering.
I continued with other lettering in that same manner.  Then, I drew the “vine” around the lettering and added the leaves.
I wanted to show you the paint that bled through the fabric on the bag.  Don’t do this project on your newly painted table…you will be sad.
I put the finished product in my $1.00 antique yard sale frame (with wavy glass and all.) 
I love it!  I can’t wait to make more.
Now, before everyone gets all over me…yes, I know the lettering is not even.  If you look at antique grain sacks, guess what?  The lettering is not even.  I can instantly tell a reproduction because the lettering is too perfectly spaced.  It’s clearly made with a modern stencil.  The imperfections make it look more authentic.  (By the way, I’m just teasing those who busted me on my crooked tray. It was slightly tipped and I righted it.  I’ll have to get a level out with this crowd!)
I’m also planning to make some pillows and try some different paint colors and designs.  The good news about using this for pillows is that you can machine wash and dry it.  The piece below just came out of my dryer and it looks even better.  It fades the paint just slightly and softens it up. 

These will be for sale in my Esty shop, which will be opening soon.  So, if you see a feed sack pillow you love, but it’s like $100, get in touch with me and I can replicate it for you for a lot less!

Miss Mustard Seed

The Workshop Series, Decorative Painting 101 starts tomorrow with Getting Started – What to Buy.  Don’t miss it!  I’m also still looking through all the of the Furniture Feature Friday links and I have already seen some awesome makeovers.  I am very impressed, ladies!

I’m posting this to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land and Show and Tell at Blue Cricket Design
and

Creations by Kara

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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56 Responses

  3. OOO, this is so cute, I could just spit. I LOVE IT…
    Thanks so much for sharing this idea. My hubby is very good at numbers and I am thinking he may be able to do this for me. I will see….:)
    hugs, bj

  5. I do love this and will try to replicate but am curious — how did you decide what to paint, words, format, font, etc. thanks

  7. Osnaburg, boy that goes way back. My sister and I used it all the time in high school and I recently re-discovered it. Makes great slipcovers also.

  9. You're right…I hate you! lol, just kidding! You did a great job and I admire your talent. It's really cool framed like that. Thanks for sharing!!

    Nancy

  15. Oh to be SO talented. They are unique and beautiful. I love the Onasburg, it has such a nice vintage feel. I discovered it at Walmart last year when I stenciled some pillow covers. Never know what you're going to find at Walmart.

    How long did it take you to freehand that? You have some talent!

  16. Freehand? Oh No, I am hopeless at that. I'll have to check out your other painting tutorials for options because I want one, I want it badly.
    It looks wonderful and you are one steadyhanded talented lady.

  17. So jealous of your talent! It came out wonderful and I never would have guessed it was hand-painted! Thanks for the tip on the Walmart fabric. Adding to my list of things to get!

  19. Groan… that's so beautiful I can barely STAND it. This is so going in my Today's Hot Find for Tuesday.

    I adore how you framed it out! That PLATE!!! I want a cracked plate! Never knew that until now. What you learn on a blog.

    Donna

  22. This is so pretty and I've been waiting to hear about it since you teased us the other day. My only question is , will you make me one? LOL, your hand is much steadier than mine Miss Mustard Seed.

  24. I'm going to have to see how steady of a hand I have to do this. I love the look so it's worth a try. Thanks for the tips.
    Jane

  26. When I first looked at this I thought what a beautiful old piece… I was shocked to read you made it… you did an amazing job and I love how you creatively hung it also… the frame is perfect for such a perfect piece. You make it look so easy.

    Hugs Deb

  27. That simply turned out awesome. I am simply amazed at your artistic hand. You have so much control over a paint brush. Just beautiful work!

  29. No hating here – pure jealousy though! WOW – you have some amazing talent!
    Blogging is going to be the death of me or break my bank one! I'm adding that to my list though, love it!

    Thanks for the tut – can't wait for the workshops – I'm so ready!

  33. As I was reading I was thinking "I love the lettering's imperfections". It looks so authentic like an original done in the early 1900's!

    I won't be doing it any time soon! However, I will be "drooling" as some one above just said!!!

    ~Kolein

  40. Thanks for the tutorial! I want to make a few pillows soon….

    I am passing a blog award along to you! No pressure to accept, but I wanted you to know I enjoy your blog, and i was thinking of you!

  45. This is fantastic! Thanks for posting. I had a stencil pattern I was going to try this with, but I think I will try it your way. I doubt I can do as good as you did. I agree with you, I like the uneven print the best.

  48. Marian,
    Thank you for your opinion on my table, it gives me food for thought. Something that I have difficulty with(have only hand painted once, love spray painting!), is knowing which brush will work best for what project. I saw mention here about brush types, would you consider giving a workshop on tools for painting(which is best for what piece and what finish)? I could really use some knowledge and honestly this lack of knowledge keeps me from doing some projects(like my table). Thanks again, and I am forwarding your blog to some friends that will greatly benefit too!

  49. Alright, I am an idiot and somehow missed the workshop series decorative painting 101 part written here. Glad I re-read it! Sorry for that post, but man this is like some sort of key moment in life, finding you!

  50. I have been working on little salvage projects from actual grain sacks and I took the easy way out and used laundry fabric markers and it worked very well… I just free handed them and had it done within 2 minutes… Enjoyed your post… Have fun…

  51. I'm adding your framed grain sack to the list of ideas I could do with my coffee bean sack project at Mel's Cabin. Visit me when you're in the area and sip some coffee with me.

  52. I want to upholster a 100-yr-old chair and decided to stencil the cloth. My concern is that the paint could possibly chip or come off on people's clothing. This won't happen with the acrylic paint method, will it? Thanks. Your work is awesome.

  53. Oh my goodness! Thank you for this tutorial!! I am covering my dining room chairs in muslin, and I'm planning to give them a grain sack look! I have not been able to decide the exact design, but I know now! Here I thought I came up with the painting idea since I can't afford real sacks…LOL! You posted it over a year ago…how'd I miss it? I've been thinking of doing different designs on each chair…I have 8! I'm not a matchy girl, but I do like order so…don't know.
    I'm so glad to find this! Best, Vicki

  54. This is beautiful! You have a beautiful hand at decorative painting. I on the other hand, prefer to trace – ha ha. I made a video once about how I transferred using a well lit window and held the fabric up against it. Here’s the link if anyone is interested. (You can skip to about 1:00 minute in to get to the stool with the grain sack style graphic). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjx03_tftu4&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLU6lAUeaBqeSKXfULgjNDfk4mQF0kd-Nl

  56. I love, love, love this……………I adore everything you do. I’m guessing this is much easier fabric to paint on than burlap. Oh and, HTTR!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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