Burlap Frame Wall Art Tutorial

I’ve got another fun project for all you lovely crafters: And it might just be one of the my simplest wall art projects yet.

Inspired by the Fabric Covered Wall Frames that I put together a few months ago, I thought it would be fun to put a twist on the idea and try creating some wall frames featuring burlap.  Farmhouse and rustic chic seem to be all the rage in home decor these days, and the natural fibers of these burlap frames fit right in with the style.

(And wouldn’t they be darling in beach-themed, ocean-inspired rooms too?)

The secret that keeps these burlap frames inexpensive and so easy-peasy to put together?  I just use foam board as my base!  It’s hard enough to create a nice finished look, but soft enough to attach the burlap with staples.  With just a few simple supplies on hand, you can put one of these frames together in a matter of minutes! 

I created my frames using prints from the More Like Grace shop, a quick & cheap way to download designs that you can use TODAY.  But I think they’d also look great featuring family photos, travel posters, or your own artwork too.

Just keep reading for a list of supplies and step-by-step instructions to help youput together your own burlap-framed wall art.

Do you like the prints featured in this craft project?

Check them out here in the More Like Grace Shop!

Supplies Needed:

• foam board
• stapler  that opens
• scissors
• home decor prints or artwork (check out the shop for some fun options)
• burlap fabric
• exacto knife
• glue stick
• brown paper shopping bag
• picture hanger (*optional – if you want to hang on wall)
• super glue (I love this squeeze bottle kind!)
• For Clothespin option: small black clothespins
• For Thumbtack option: small black thumbtacks
• optional: rotary cutting mat and guide (for measuring foam board to get nice, straight lines)

How to Make:

Step 1:

Measure the print/photo/poster you want to frame, and add approx. 3.5″ to both measurements.  (This will give you approx. 1.75″ of burlap around your artwork.  Feel free to add more or less based on your preferences.)   Cut your foam board to size using these measurements.  (I used an Exacto-Knife like this with my cutting mat and guide it worked great.)

Step 2:

Cut open your shopping bag. Cut out a piece of the brown paper bag the same dimensions as your piece of foam board.   Then glue the brown paper to the top of your foam board.  (This step helps you avoid seeing the bright white color of the foam board through the burlap.)

Step 3:

Lay your foam board piece on top of your burlap and cut out a piece of burlap, leaving about 2 – 3″ of extra fabric on every side.  (These edges will be hidden, so it’s okay if they are not perfectly straight.)

Step 4:

Lay your foam board (brown bag side DOWN) on your cut piece of burlap. Open your stapler and use it to staple the fabric to the back of your foam board along all four edges.

Step 5: (For clothespin design)

Clip your artwork to the clothespins and get it centered the way you want it to appear.  Now squeeze a bit of glue on the back of each clothespin  (I LOVE this super glue because I never get it on my fingers with the handy squeeze bottle!)  Quickly center your artwork on the front side of your burlap frame and then press the clothespins into place so the glue will adhere.

Step 5: (For thumbtack design)

Mark a small dot on each corner of your artwork/print, about 1 cm from each side.  Center your artwork on the front side of your burlap-covered board, and attach by pushing thumbtacks through the dots you marked.

Step 6: (Optional)

If you want to hang your print, you’ll need to add a picture hanger to the back side.  Instead of inserting the screw that comes with your picture hanger, simply use super glue to hold in place.  (The finished  wall frame is very light, so the super glue will hold just fine.) I marked the center point on the back of my frame using a standard ruler.

And that’s it!  You’re finished and ready to display your rustic new wall art–or give this home decor piece as a gift to someone you love. I hope you enjoy this little project, friends. Happy crafting!