Stenciling Curtains

I wanted some new curtains, something cheerful, a splash of color.  I searched everywhere, and finally found the inspiration here;

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/083181.jsp?color=080

Alas, not in our budget, but I just could not get them out of mind.  You know when you see something and that's it. You could buy something else, but you will always compare it.

Well I then found new inspiration here;

http://twentysomethingtransue.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-to-stencil-curtians.html

and here;

 http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/01/damask-stenciled-curtain-tutorial/

So I started to plan my own stenciling project.

Here it is!

I started with plain curtains.  I thought about using canvas but found these for a super reasonable $14.99 /pair.   They had a nice bronze antique grommet and a sheen to them.

I ironed them.

I  had some old large boxes and found the right stencil and fabric paints at the craft store, of course, used my coupons.

I started with a sponge dabber. But ended returning to a stencil brush, you know the kind, sorry, didn't get a picture of it.  I think it used less paint, and I like it's handling better.
Sounds like I'm talking about a car, doesn't it.

I ended up needing 4 bottles for 4 panels.  

I mixed satin finish colors,  geranium and tiger lily for an accented effect.

Different people have talked about using the stencil glue, I didn't, just my true blue painters tape.
Make sure that it is flat, you can see a little bubble above, it was flat when painting.

I used another stencil in the same package to help measure.

Here is one all done! The first one took me forever...

Thankfully the remainder went faster.

I ironed them again to heat seal the paint, or you can tumble dry them.

Here the final product! 

I think they turned out pretty good.

Now just have to wait for some bamboo shades to go with them.

Or may be I should just paint my cheap vinyl shades with a faux bamboo look?

Hmmmm...

Would love to know what you think?

Share the Day!