::how to:: painting curtains

one of the first posts that i read at cottage and vine was about how she painted her curtains!

they looked fabulous, but i thought i'd never have the patience for that project.

turns out i got an extra dose a few weeks ago because that's just what i did!

i seem to get the most done around the house when hubby and little one are sleeping...

i had been thinking about painting curtains, so that night i just decided to go for it!

curtains down from the window

i totally lucked out that the curtains i wanted to paint already had vertical lines stitched into the fabric.

made it so, so much easier to tape.

no measuring needed.

these drapes are from IKEA...not sure of the name but I'm sure you can still find them.

{1}

then i taped, taped some more, and kept taping...

until all the sides of the stripes-to-be-painted were bordered by nice even lines of painters' tape

{2}

next up, deciding on the painting surface.

the painting actually took place the next day, not that night.

options

::1:: plywood

too many tiny pieces

::2:: cardboard

too many ridges

::3:: smooth wood

just right

::hint:: always choose the smoothest surface

{3}

tester stripe.

the last thing i wanted to do was paint the 5 stripes (x2) and then not like my results.

so, i painted a stripe and then hung the curtain over the window.

i'm so glad that i did because i realized:

::1:: the curtains need two coats of paint

::2:: i need to sew a curtain lining to block some of the light shining through

{4}

finish painting the stripes.

i used a sponge brush and loaded up the paint. 

the thicker the 1st coat, the easier the 2nd.

{5}

let the paint dry completely.

i set mine out to dry in the TX sun for an entire afternoon.

the last thing you want is a masterpiece ruined due to impatience!

{6}

re-hang the curtains.

{7} 

fall. madly. in. love.

from this,

see how my hutch turned white

to this!

and that's ::how to:: paint curtains! 

i hope you've been inspired to go out and paint your own.

if so, please link back here with your post so i can sneak a peek at your masterpiece!

sharing this ::how to:: with

Debbie Doo's newbie party

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