Love the quaint look of antique grain sacks? Here’s how you can stencil your own grain sack fabric to look very authentic! Team up some fabulous grain sack stencils and a few of our secret techniques to create your own custom vintage home decor!
If you are a collector of vintage antiques, chances are you’ll also have a stash of grain sacks.
I’ve long been a collector of the burlap coffee bags using them as pillows and even as upholstery on my pallet furniture. And have come across some pretty fun flour bags with their vibrant graphics gently faded to perfection.
However, what I haven’t loved about collecting is that heavy burlap is tricky to work with (and impossible to clean) and most definitely not soft to the touch.
As for the cotton bags, the quirky sizes have always challenged me if I wanted pillows made from them. And of course, the french linen grain sacks while positively gorgeous, can fetch a pretty dear price, even if you find them at a flea market.
It was time for a DIY version! So today, I’m going to share how you can create your own durable vintage grain sack fabric with stencils and techniques that make your DIY efforts look very realistic…while saving a lot of money too!
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How to stencil grain sack fabric designs that look authentic!
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See all grain sack stencils HERE
Where to find grain sack fabric stencils
In order to achieve a true farmhouse grain sack fabric look, some new stencil designs were created to team up together, giving you the vintage fabric look.
Four Grain Sack-styled logo stencils were created that reflect coffee, grain, flower and sugar grain sacks, each styled in a logo design with a vintage vibe.
But we need one more thing… or should I say six!
See Grain Sack Stripe stencils HERE
6 Grain Sack Stripe stencils were also created so you can easily add those vintage stripes to any of your projects without endless taping! The grain sack stripe stencils are so easy to use, simply position, then stencil!
As I was drawing up the colour proofs, I got overwhelmed because everything I attempted looked so cute! Which made me happy. You can’t really go wrong when creating with these grain sack fabric stencils, however I do have some tips to make them look authentic.
Other supplies that will come in handy:
Plain pillow covers with a grainy texture
Burlap fabric or sandbags
Wider paint brush to create smooth grain sack stripes
Dome tipped stencil brush for detail work
A good set of DIY paint you adore. I love to use Fusion Mineral Paint (get 10% off HERE)
Drop cloth fabric if you sew
Collect plain fabric items you can stencil, such as tea towels, aprons, table runner, tablecloth, plain tote bags, any textiles with a grainy look, plain old grain sacks, etc.
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So let’s walk through a couple of decorative pillows done on two different sized pillow covers with different grain sack techniques.
Stencil a Flour Sack Pillow with grain sack stripe
This 26″ Flour cushion cover with feather (I only get feather!) insert is positively scrumptious! And this design makes a real vintage statement.
The cover has a weathered oatmeal texture and is so incredibly soft to the touch. The colours used for the Flour design are neutral, yet still pack a real punch. Isn’t it a beauty?
And it feels as good as it looks. You got that right. I actually lean on it and USE it! Can’t live without this one.
You’ll Need:
Grain Sack Stripe stencil G1 or G1L from HERE
26″ oatmeal plain pillow cover (the one I used is no longer available)
Fusion Mineral Paint’s Ash and Raw Silk
How-To:
1. Insert something waterproof inside the cushion cover before painting to avoid bleed-through. I used plastic page protectors.
2. Position Grain Sack Stripe stencil G1 in the middle of the pillow, masking tape into place, then stencil with Raw Silk. Reposition stencil to lengthen the stripe as required.
Tip: Always stencil the stripe much lighter than your planned end design over-top so they contrast nicely.
Nerdy info: In graphic design print world, I was always told, never use more than 5%-10% of a colour if print will be overtop. I take that same premise to stenciling as well. It works!
3. Once stripe is dry, centre and tape the Flour stencil in the middle of the cover. Stencil with Fusion’s Ash.
I LOVE this colour! I was out of Coal Black so I decided to try Ash. It’s a super dark grey and it gives sort of a faded black appearance which is perfect for a vintage look! I’m now using it all the time.
4. Once dry, place feather insert inside of cover, pouf it up, give it a good karate chop, and pretty up that sofa or bed of yours!
Process shown in video further down this post.
Learn more tips on how to stencil HERE
Stencil a Farm Blend Grain sack pillows with stripes
This sweet farm-themed design was totally custom drawn by yours truly, right down to the cutest little walking chicken feet!
This pillow turned out so pretty in these tone-on-tone colours! For a fun grain-like effect, try the paint splatter effect! It turned out really cool.
This 20″ pillow is compact enough to tuck anywhere. The covers and inserts from Ikea make this another easy project.
You’ll need:
Grain Sack Stripe stencil G4 or G4L from HERE
Fusion Mineral Paint’s Champlain (for stripe) and Algonquin (for grain design).
20″ off-white pillow cover (the one I used is no longer available)
How-to:
1. Insert something waterproof inside the cushion cover before painting to avoid bleed-through. I used plastic page protectors.
These have long been my #1 go-to for cushion covers. They also come in different colours.
2. Position Grain Sack Stripe stencil G4 or G4L in the middle of the pillow, masking tape into place, then stencil with Champlain. Reposition stencil to lengthen the stripe if using G4.
3. Load stencil brush with Champlain, then gently flick paint all over the cover to create a grain-like effect. Try subtle, then if you feel it can handle more, add as desired.
This is an amazing fresh neutral warm colour! It gets slightly darker as it dries.
4. Once paint is dry, centre and tape Grain in the middle of the cover. Stencil with Fusion’s Algonquin.
This is a really pretty and neutral tone that offers some depth. I love how the design pops against the pillow cover and stripe, while still being super neutral.
How to leave a grainy effect
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5. Leaving the Grain stencil in place, load the stencil brush with a deeper tone such as Fusion’s Ash, then gently flick the paint over top of the Grain logo only. Remove stencil.
Click picture to enlarge to view the flicked paint effect. It’s really cool!
6. Once dry, place feather insert inside of cover, pouf it up, give it a good karate chop, and show it off on a cute chair or on your cozy sofa!
Isn’t it cute? It truly is super easy to create this look!
Learn more tips on how to stencil HERE
Video tutorial: stencil authentic grain sack fabric on pillows
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Click above to view a short video on the pillow stenciling process. It includes flicking the paint!
Music: Acoustic Breeze by bensound.com
Video tutorial: dry-brushing thicker grain sack stripes
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Click above to learn how to grain sack stripe even looking long stripes!
Fresh Coffee grain sack design
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These designs do more than pillows though. They are compact enough to fit most anywhere!
I could also see this on a serving tray or even the middle of a clock.
View full TV tray tutorial HERE
Fresh Coffee stencil is from HERE
Buffalo Check – Large stencil is from HERE
Painted in Fusion’s Coal black and Raw Silk
Sugar crate side table
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Or how about a cute little Sugar stamped crate as a side-table?
Sugar was designed to emulate a bag of shipped sugar, weights and dates and all. It looks great on pillows or crates!
Simply position the stencil, then go for it.
After the crate was stenciled, I added some junky hardware I had on hand to give it an industrial cart look.
Wouldn’t stenciling a real Sugar bin be cool too?!
Honestly?
I’m rather hard pressed to find a place these grain sack stencil designs don’t suit.
They look cute on everything!
Without being cutesy. Know what I mean?
The end result is a room filled with cozy vintage vibes galore! Customized to suit your own home decor to perfection. Without the big expense!
Do you love this look too? What would you put them on?
Visit entire grain sack stencil collection HERE
Check out all other projects made with grain sack stencils HERE
Those pillows are just lovely, Donna!
Thanks Julie! I’m definitely having too much fun! 😀
I just love the stuff you make. I’ll soon be in my own home on Paros in Greece and hope to share some greek island DIY decor!
Thanks Zefi! I love the sound of your current inspiration! I look forward to checking it out!
Love the “karate chop” detail, Donna! I have to do something with these new stencils! I love the grainsack ones and the new farm ones. Soon…
Yup, black belt in pillows right here… haha! Thanks for the kudos Lora! I’m having fun with them!
Hello. Love, Love Love your site and all your amazing ideas. Just a quick question. Is the paint you use on the pillows washable. Does it harden on the material. Thank you.
Hi Janet! The paint feels sorda stiff before washed. All good since they are for decorative purposes for the most part. However I have found the fabric softens up and the paint may slightly fade (which I loved!) after washing. I haven’t washed these pillows yet, but I’ve stenciled drop cloth fabric and they wash up like a DREAM! I think it’s more fabric related, just depends what you use.
Here’s the fabric I stencilied… https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2017/05/sign-stenciled-fabric-for-the-pallet-wood-chairs-funky-junks-old-sign-stencils.html