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.
![laying out panels on vinyl tablecloth Ikea Vivian curtain panels](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/laying-out-panels-on-vinyl-tablecloth.jpg)
Using my yard stick, I started from the bottom and measured 12 inches, then drew a pencil line.
![marking curtain panels DIY horizontal striped curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/marking-curtain-panels.jpg)
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 on curtain panels FrogTape for painting striped curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/FrogTape-on-curtain-panels.jpg)
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 curtain panels painting striped curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/painting-curtain-panels.jpg)
![painting stripes on curtains painting stripes on curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/painting-stripes-on-curtains.jpg)
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 painted horizontal striped Ikea curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/painted-horizontal-striped-Ikea-curtains.jpg)
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.
![painting curtain stripes with FrogTape DIY painted striped curtain panels](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/painting-curtain-stripes-with-FrogTape.jpg)
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.
![curtain drying drying painted curtain](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/curtain-drying.jpg)
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.)
![workspace how to paint striped curtain panels](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/workspace.jpg)
I immediately removed my FrogTape once painting was complete.
![removing FrogTape from painted curtains removing FrogTape from painted curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/removing-FrogTape-from-painted-curtains.jpg)
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.
![cutting curtain panels measuring and cutting curtain panels](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/cutting-curtain-panels.jpg)
cutting and measuring…
![cut curtain panel creating rod pocket](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/cut-curtain-panel.jpg)
![creating a rod pocket sewing a rod pocket](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/creating-a-rod-pocket.jpg)
I creased the extra 3 inches with an iron,
![ironing rod pocket ironing rod pocket](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ironing-rod-pocket.jpg)
then folded about an inch under and ironed that.
![ironing rod pocket hem creating and ironing rod pocket hem](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ironing-rod-pocket-hem.jpg)
I sewed a straight line near the bottom of the ironed fold to create a rod pocket.
![sewing rod pocket sewing rod pocket](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sewing-rod-pocket.jpg)
***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:
![living room window door wall before door before](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/living-room-window-door-wall-before.jpg)
Just a peek of the apartment windows before:
![windows before chartreuse door](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/windows-before.jpg)
Door paint color is Valspar Gilded Pesto (beautiful chartreuse!).
Sneak peek windows after:
![painted horizontal striped curtains DIY painted horizontal striped curtains](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/painted-horizontal-striped-curtains.jpg)
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.
![curtain after painted curtain after](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/curtain-after.jpg)
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 Logo FrogTape Blog Squad](https://diyshowoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FrogTape-Blog-Squad-Logo.200.jpg)