My husband has been bugging me for years to add window treatments around the house….but they are always either too expensive or I haven’t found ones I like. So I made my own….and it was so much easier than I thought it would be!
So happy with the result.
I wanted drapes that were simple and elegant but also that fit our informal living style. I love how they “pool” on the floor…..adds a little drama to our everyday living space.
I especially love how the morning sunlight comes through the sheer fabric.
With my leftover fabric I made some simple covers for our existing couch pillows to coordinate the room.
I made the small rectangular pillows from scratch with linen-like fabric.
Tutorial:
Note: Before starting your screen printing you will need to create a screen. See my Screen Printing 101 tutorial on how to create a screen using photo emulsion. If you want to use a simpler design than shown below you can also try the contact paper screen printing method.
Here is the design I created using “damask” dingbats. You are welcome to use it (just click on the image and then save to your desktop). I couldn’t find my original file so this is a scan.
I started with 108″ plain white muslin (using my 40% off coupon it was about $3 a yard). For tops on measuring your window for the amount of fabric needed see my curtain tutorial (with download).
You will need a large area to spread your muslin out onto. I used my back patio, but you could use a driveway as well. Just spread a tarp or large drop cloths out to protect the muslin.
You can use the “fold” lines on the muslin as vertical guides and use a long piece of wood to mark your horizontal guide lines. I used a disappearing ink pen to mark out where my designs would be.
I used Versatex screen printing inks in the colors: Umber and Brown. I added Versatex Fixer which eliminates the “heat setting” step (i.e. no ironing to set the ink).
Mix your inks together (four 4oz tubs was plenty for pillows and drapes). I added a little black to get a darker brown.
Start your printing! Allow yourself to have errors (for character!)…..it will look like you meant to have imperfections. Place your screen flat onto the fabric. You will probably want to have a piece of cardboard underneath each section you are printing (I used flat boxes). Apply a small glob of ink at the top of side of the image……..and pull the ink down the screen with the squeegee. You might have missed some areas so I like to go over it a few times carefully. Do a test run first on a scrap!
The first one is the hardest! Then it gets easy!
You can do several rows at at time. Just keep your tape measure and disappearing ink pen nearby so you can mark guides as you go.
After the first layer has dried, turn your design around and screen the mirror image.
A finished complete image.
A finished drape! I screened in the hot sun and it only took minutes to dry.
Once all my drapes were dry I brought them inside for sewing. For the top of the drapes, I folded the edges over 1.5″ and then over again 1.5″ and sewed all the way across. I didn’t even hem the sides or bottom, I just serged them with white thread. If you want a more finished, formal look see my tutorial on curtains here.
A curtain rod for a 16 foot slider was not really in my budget so I modified a store-bought rod to fit across the 17 foot span. You can buy 6 foot finished wood rod pieces at your hardware store, just make sure to buy the connecting screws too. I bought three rods and cut about 6″ off the ends. I had to re-drill holes for the finials at the end. I purchased 4 brackets for the rods to sit on.
I cut 2 squares from my leftover fabric for each coordinating pillow.
I screen printed the design diagonally onto the pillow squares.
Once the pillow fronts had dried I pinned them together and sewed the outside edges leaving a small opening for stuffing.
I had my best helper stuff the pillows.
And I sewed the pillows shut with a blind stitch.
This technique is so versatile that you could use it in any room of the house. How about printing a similar duvet and large square euro pillows for a master bedroom!
My little one is the most excited about our new drapes because she gets another hiding place!
I'd love to do this with circles for polka dots. Too bad it's 15 degrees outside and I have to wait! 😉
Wow amazing! They look awesome!
It looks just perfect regardless the purposeful imperfections haha 🙂
Great job, it makes me want to paint one myself :))
Hugs, Erika
I love these they are so romantic! You did such a beautiful job. Maybe I can do the same to my white fabric curtains. Hmm…Now my mind is going! Thanks for the inspiration.
Adrianna
Love this. I bookmarked this post! I have not commented in a while but I still stop by everyday to check in on you! Love u!!
XOXO
I am going to be working with Resin for the first time this weekend–wish me luck!!
Dingo Brand dog bones still has not sent me my "free" bone for making that dog collar! And I thought I had hit the big payday, ha!!
They are SOOOO beautiful! I WANT that screen printing kit!
THanks for these instructions. I loved seeing all you did on SYTYC!
Thank you for sharing. I can't wait until it stops raining so I can try this.
Your curtains are beautiful! Are the finished wood rod pieces you talk about in the window covering section, or lumber? I have been searching for a way to put up curtains in a long span in my basement playroom, and had thought I'd have to use water pipe or paint dowels?
These are great! Thanks for sharing your stencil design and the tutorial. I'm getting ready to make curtains for my new house and may try this 🙂
Well done! They look wonderful!
Too pretty, I have in our room that need a little something, I also have a big window in my living that needs curtains…….Can't wait!
You've done it again! You WOW! me! I was already thinking duvet cover after I saw the pillows! Thank you so much for sharing this!
That is amazing, just beautiful. I am soimpressed that you have even printed the fbric.
Nice work, was hubby happy?
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!
Can't wait try it. Love your Blog.
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful!
Can't wait try it. Love your Blog.
wow. you are incredible. my boys love to hide in our curtains too.
I have to say that you are truely amazing.. Seriously who has time to screen print curtains!!! =)
simple gorgeous!
Just found you in blogger world…will you be my BFF?
Love these. I wish I was better at sewing.
Hi Ashley.
I love this project and I'm including a link to it in my Inspire My Saturday post today.
I am so glad you did this tutorial. I voted for you on SYTYCC because I wanted to make some of these! YEAH! thanks!
Wow! love that!
The pillows and window treatments all turned out amazing! Thanks so much for the tutorial.
I featured this in my post today. 🙂
A fantastic tutorial and wonderful project. Just found your blog through RoomRemix. Looking forward to seeing more.
I am redoing my guest room and have been searching for a damask print fabric…they are either too expensive or too heavy and dark…these are perfect. I'm a little wary of screen printing…but I may have to give it a shot…I just LOVE these. Thanks for all the great tutorials.
Wow! Beautiful! I have curtains that are are supposed to puddle on the floor but they keep spreading out into a square shape :(. Thanks for the great post!
Angie
My jaw is on the floor. Those are absolutely stunning.
Just beautiful!
love love love love!!!!! i can't wait to make some for me!!!
Love THIS!!! I have really wanted to try screen printing, but it is one of those more intimidating tasks… Thank you for sharing.
They Are truly beautiful!!!
How much did this project cost you (i.e. the screen print pain, fabric for curtains, screen print kit, etc)?
Thank you! This blog post will be advertised on CraftCrave in the Handcraft category today (look for timestamp: [08 Feb 04:00pm GMT]).
Those look amazing! Impressive.
Wow this is so cool!
your pillows and curtins are just beautuiful! Thank you for sharing the process. I have always wanted to learn how to do this, but have been too scared to try it.
Wow…I thought the screenprint doll pattern you made was amazing, but these curtains and pillows are fabulous! Great job 🙂
This is soo neat! I would love to do that, but wow! It looks like a lot of work! The room reminds me so much of my bedroom that I had to look twice. I have big sliding glass doors that look out at my patio and pool.
Amazing! You did a great job!
I voted for this at SYTYC, and I kept forgetting to come look for the tutorial until now! I'm excited to try it out…but also intimidated! New drapes and duvet are on their way within the next couple years. 🙂
AMAZING!!!! love your curtain n everything you did !!! 🙂
thanks for sharing..
xoxo
I have the same issue buying curtains… I don't know if I would dare do this though, have never done anything like it… the thought of it makes me nervous, but I have a feeling this is the idea I'm gonna go with. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love comments….they help me figure out what you enjoy reading! I read and appreciate every single one but I receive so much email that it is impossible for me to reply to everyone! Please email me directly if you have a specific question and please leave your email if it isn't published on your profile…. otherwise I don't have the means to contact you!
Thank You for share with us! I love it! kisses
Very nice! love the detailed tutorial 🙂 Do you have a tutorial for black-out curtains? (we’re shift workers and live in an apartment)
HI all, the following comment may not have anythiing to do with this discussion but I want anyone and everone to read thisA big fat amen to this school teacher