Help Making My Own Backdrop?

[mrterrible]

I want to create my own back drop but don't know exactly which way to go. I was thinking about getting a Canvas Drop Cloth and dyeing it. I was wondering if anybody had some suggestions on which way to go for under $50.00.

Thanks

[snibbetsj]

Go to your local fabric store and ask for muslin. They normally have in 9 foot widths which is great for most backdrops. Then get some RIT dye and dye it color you want. I'd just get some basic white/natural for a start.

[liza]

Ask for quilt backing for a king size quilt. It's 120 inches wide and can be cut as long as you want. (I once worked in a JoAnn Fabrics store.)

[mrterrible]

Thank You. I will be going to JoAnn Fabrics tomorrow.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Ask for quilt backing for a king size quilt. It's 120 inches wide and can be cut as long as you want. (I once worked in a JoAnn Fabrics store.)

Thats what I was going to say. I just went to JoAnn Fabrics and bought a piece of Muslin 108" (9 feet) wide and 18 feet (6 yards) long it was only about 15.00 (I did have a 40% off coupon) I think it was like 4.99 per yard without it.

[liza]

You can get those coupons by signing up for their store flyer. They also sell home dec fabric that's 54" wide and usually have a lot in the clearance section.

[cforslund]

Here's a link to a video describing how to dye your own muslin backdrop. Although the video is a bit "cheesy", i used this very technique on a couple of backdrops and it worked well.

http://www.dvcreators.net/mai/backdrop/

[mjordan]

If you want a little more artistic control over the look, color and saturation of your backgrounds, paint instead of dye them. With dye it's hard to get a good saturated color and even harder to get multiple colors unless you do something like tie dye with would be great for a 70's theme shoot, but not so great today.

You can buy cheap latex paint, water it down until it's good an runny and then mop, brush, roll, sponge or splash it on. Let it dry and put your next color on by sponging it around to give you the multiple color layers and sense of depth. Let it dry and do another layer. Do this for as many layers as you want. If you have a backyard and can lay it out on the grass or on the driveway, that makes it easier.

Which ever way you go, dying or painting, make sure you wash your material and use sizing (I think it's salt) in the wash to get off the stuff the fabric people put on their material to make them look better in the stores. Other wise your dye or paint won't take as well on the material.

Mike

[Titus213]

Someplace out here there is a link to a site that walks you thru the staining of a backdrop. They used muslin - it's cheap and effective. The tutorial was an actual internet video. Can't find it right now.