Painted Striped Curtains {apartment sneak peek}

Painting Horizontal Stripes on Fabric Curtain Panels

Renovating, furnishing and decorating an apartment = very tight budget. With the main floor needing six panels, Ikea’s Vivan panels were a perfect choice. A set of two panels for $9.99 – what a deal! And they’re huge! 52″ wide x 98″ long. I love all white curtain panels but for the main living space, I wanted to add a little texture, neutral accent and simple pattern. I love horizontal striped curtains. We decided to go with three large neutral stripes, starting from the bottom.

Not according to plan: My plan was to do an ombre design from black, dark charcoal to light gray. I ended up with something a little different. Here’s how I did it, my suggestions on what I would have done differently and why my stripes aren’t ombre.

What I did: 

Materials:

  • Ikea Vivian curtain panels
  • Paint (fabric paint or latex paint)
  • Sponge rollers (recommend trying foam rollers)
  • FrogTape
  • Tools used: yard stick, iron, sewing machine for hemming if needed

I started by pre-washing and ironing out wrinkles, then spread them out (one at a time) on the dining room table. I used a vinyl table cloth as a “drop cloth” for underneath the panel.

Ikea Vivian curtain panels

Using my yard stick, I started from the bottom and measured 12 inches, then drew a pencil line.

DIY horizontal striped curtains

I used my FrogTape on the outside of my 12″ line to create a crisp border. For the next stripe, I measured 12″ from the edge of the FrogTape. Note: My straight tape lines extended past the panel to secure the edges of the fabric to the vinyl tablecloth to help prevent shifting.

FrogTape for painting striped curtains

I purchased 3 large bottles of fabric paint in black. My plan was to add white to lighten each stripe. However even three bottles of fabric paint does not go a long way with six curtain panels. I ended up using the black fabric paint for the bottom stripe of each panel.

painting striped curtains

painting stripes on curtains

Dip in paint, roll on cardboard/paper towels then roll onto fabric. My cheap rollers meant I had to go over it a few times but once the roller was saturated with paint, it went quicker. 

painted horizontal striped Ikea curtains

Then…since we are on a budget, I used latex wall paint – which is the reason I ended up with a black stripe, gray stripe and greige stripe…not white ombre, but neutral! Tip: {figured this out after the fact}, water down latex wall paint for better absorption.

DIY painted striped curtain panels

I used a sponge roller from the dollar store for each stripe. Tip: DO not use cheap dollar store sponge rollers. Invest a couple dollars in a better quality foam roller. My cheap sponge roller is part of the reason for a “suede” look…which we were okay with and ended up liking the look, but I also would have liked a more solid result. The faded look is pretty too and when time is an issue, it looks even better. 😉

I painted each stripe, let it dry a little, then hung each panel to dry more thoroughly.  So, with six curtain panels, it did take me a couple of days.

drying painted curtain

I wiped the vinyl tablecloth in between laying out each panel. (Pleasant time saving surprise: The paint on my vinyl drop cloth could be seen through the white curtain panels, meaning after the first one, I didn’t have to measure/mark each panel – I just lined it up on the vinyl drop cloth and taped where the previous curtains’ FrogTape lines showed through.)

how to paint striped curtain panels

I immediately removed my FrogTape once painting was complete.

removing FrogTape from painted curtains

Once all of my panels were dry, I measure the length and cut from the top, adding 3 inches to create a rod pocket (cutting from the top or bottom means one of those needs hemmed and I found painting from the bottom up easier). I love using curtain rings, but again, 6 sets of curtain rings adds up, and this is a budget friendly makeover.

measuring and cutting curtain panels

cutting and measuring…

creating rod pocket

sewing a rod pocket

I creased the extra 3 inches with an iron,

ironing rod pocket

then folded about an inch under and ironed that.

creating and ironing rod pocket hem

I sewed a straight line near the bottom of the ironed fold to create a rod pocket.

sewing rod pocket

***I’ll share what I did with the “top” piece of the curtain panels soon – cutting from the top left me with 6 valances, just needing a hem.

I gave each panel another quick iron over and now they’re hanging!

Before apartment makeover:

door before

Just a peek of the apartment windows before:

chartreuse door

Door paint color is Valspar Gilded Pesto (beautiful chartreuse!).

Sneak peek windows after:

DIY painted horizontal striped curtains

Side note: Since the tiny apartment doesn’t have an entry way or closet, I attached some coat hooks (Hobby Lobby) to a board and screwed it to the door – instant cute coat rack. DIY Show Off bag is from Nest of Posies.

painted curtain after

Whatdoyathink? It might make more sense when you see the rest of the apartment, eh? Patience, my friends. I know – not one of my strengths either. 😉

Note: I haven’t washed the curtains after painting, but I’m assuming all will be well – after all, the paint doesn’t wash out of my paint splattered DIY attire.

Update: More apartment details! We are still working on some finishing touches and last minute issues that have come up {the joys of DIY!}, so the reveal has been pushed back. However, there are a TON of DIY details and I’ll be sharing those over the next week or two {and while we’re on vacation}. We think it’s awesome and can’t wait to hear what you think! Little by little…we’ll work up to the reveal!

This is a sponsored post brought to you by FrogTape. The opinions are completely my own based on my own experience. 

FrogTape Blog Squad

Quick, Easy Curtain Panel Update with No Sewing ~ Maxwell House Interiors

Meet:  Jeannie from
Jeannie loves seeing the Ballard Designs catalog in the mail box. Don’t we all? But like most of us, she finds the prices a little on the high side.   The Deux Ribbon Linen Drapes were featured in the Ballard Designs catalog last Spring with an $89 per panel price tag. Ouch!

DIY Project Parade ~ DIY Pipe Curtain Rod Tutorial

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DIY SHOW OFF FRIENDS! 2011 was awesome and wishing you an even better 2012. Welcome to the First DIY Project Parade of 2012!

12 foot curtain rods are expensive!  I love the look of our new affordable DIY curtain rod made from pipe and fittings:

I knew True Value would stock the materials I needed:
2 – 6′ galvanized steel pipes (True Value will cut/thread the ends to any size)
3 galvanized 1/2″ flanges
3 galvanized 1/2″ tee fittings
3 1/2″ connectors {nipples}

Parts:

Drywall screws

2 finials and 1 wine cork

Tools:
Stud finder
Drill
Screw driver
Level

I gave all of my pieces a coat of Krylon‘s hammered metal:

1.  Find and mark studs. Measure/mark the height you’d like the curtain rod to hang (not my hairy arm!).

2. Attach “tee” to flange using nipple. Do this for all three pieces.

3. and 4.  Slide on curtain rings onto pipe at this stage. Tip:  Keep curtain rings clipped to plastic casing they came with or clipped to index card or piece of cardboard to help keep them in place during installation (not shown). Attach two flange sets to the ends of a pipe.

5.  Hold pipe with flanges on each end up to the wall, mark holes for screws (use a level to make sure rod hangs straight) by starting a hole with a spade bit or nail (hammer lightly).

6.  Four screws to each flange.

7.  Attach last flange set to remaining pipe.

8.  Slide on more curtain rings (I use 7 for each curtain panel).

9. Screw one end of pipe into the tee that’s secured to the wall.

10.  Twist flange so it’s flush to the wall.

Note:  The installation process will scuff your walls…you’ll need to touch up.

11. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other end.

12. Choose 2 finials that fit in your space and match your style. I spray painted mine to match the pipes.

13. Cut a piece of a wine cork in half.

14. Shave down the sides. (Make 2 pieces, one for each end of the pipe.)

15.  Push a piece of the cork into the end of the pipe.

16.  Screw the finial into place into the cork.

Done and ready for curtains!

I love the industrial look. {No Sew Drop Cloth Script Curtain Tutorial here}

More photos of the sitting room “Christmas un-decorated” coming up!  🙂

Let’s see what you’ve been up to!

The DIY Show Off

1. You must use the button above (ADD BUTTON HTML CODE FROM SIDE BAR TO YOUR POST) and link to this post to share the linky love. You post must be recent, shared at one DIY Project Parade only (not continuously) and be DIY related.
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5.  If reading this in an email, pop over to https://diyshowoff.com to see the inspiring DIY projects linked up!
6.  NOW you can “like” the links!  What a fun idea!  Most liked links may be included in a post of DIY Project Parade highlights later in the week.

7.  Visit a few other links to make some new friends, get some creative ideas and feel free to leave me a comment. I’m likely sitting here on the computer and could use a happy distraction!
Don’t forget to come back Sunday evening and link up your 2011 DIY recap and my DIY year in review.
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I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. FOLLOW TRUE VALUE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!~*~*~*~*~

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