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DIY black and white checkered curtains

Craft Projects· DIY projects· Home Decor

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This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

You guys all know how much I love black and white patterns as well as coming up with affordable ways to DIY designer looks, especially curtains since they tend to be very pricey. A while ago I spotted fabulous modern black and white designer checkered curtains and immediately decided to come up with a way to make my own version of those black and white checkered curtains for our home using Ikea Merete curtains.

You can also check out my DIY marbled watercolor curtains, black and white painted curtains and DIY horizontal striped curtains if today’s pattern isn’t your thing.

DIY black and white checkered curtains

DIY back and white checkered curtains

I came across the below photo on Instagram. I love the mix!

room inspiration with black and white checkered curtains

photo credit: hbhome.com (curtains: Squares in Black on White by Hinson)

The above room is just so so good for many different reasons but those curtains gave me a lightbulb moment. And I knew right away that I had to recreate them. I also have this old Target box that looks the same way on a small scale.

It took me about a day to think of a way to create the look the best way. If I hadn’t had the curtain rod and curtains already, I would have definitely gone with the black rods and pleated curtains as well but I already had my West Elm rod and Ikea Merete curtains.

I also had some heat transfer vinyl left and knew it would fit the bill. It’s awesome that these are DIY black and white checkered curtains where no paint is needed. Not having to wait for the paint to dry or to watch out for spills.

Materials you need for DIY black and white checkered curtains:

  • heat transfer vinyl like THIS one which I used (about 3 boxes)
  • cutting mat
  • craft knife
  • pencil
  • iron
  • metal ruler
  • wax paper
  • carboard (5″ square)
  • painters tape
  • prewashed and ironed curtains (I used Ikea Merete curtains)

materials needed to make DIY black and white checkered curtains

{UPDATE: Check out this post HERE about where you can buy checkered fabric like this now if you don’t want to make your own.
And I posted about my favorite back and white curtains HERE if you just want to buy a finished product}

DIY black and white checkered curtain instructions:

Click on the triangle below to see my video tutorial or read below for more details. I think the video gives you a good understanding of how I made the curtains though.

Using iron-on vinyl to make fabric pattern

Start out by making your cardboard template which I cut into a 5-inch square with 1.25-inch cutouts on all 4 corners as shown in my video.

Then cut all the heat transfer vinyl into 1.25-inch squares. In the video, I’m not using the method that I’m showing my next two photos.

taping the vinyl to the cutting mat for the DIY black and white checkered curtains

Well since the video, I figured out a way to cut the squares faster and more efficiently from the heat transfer after making the first panel. If you tape it to the cutting mat with the painter’s tape and just cut it that way into squares, you can knock it out in no time. The second panel was done quickly while I watched Netflix and happily crafted away.

The cutting mat makes cutting the squares a lot easier too since you can use the grid as a guideline.

using the grid of the cutting board to cut vinyl squares

Spacing the vinyl squares on the curtains

The above-mentioned cardboard cheat template helped so much with laying out the pattern on the curtains. Again. the cardboard cross is in a 5″ square and the heat transfer squares are 1.25″ on all 4 corners.

cheat sheet for DIY black and white checkered curtains

I started laying out the squares on the top of the curtains where the grommets are with the help of that cardboard square. That way you can make sure that the vinyl squares are placed nicely around the curtain grommets.

Ironing on the heat transfer vinyl

Make sure to keep the shiny side of the heat transfer facing up when placing the vinyl squares. Press the iron down firmly for a while (read your specific heat transfer instructions first and proceed accordingly), peel the shiny side off, if you messed up you can still remove it by peeling it off (which I’m showing at the end of my video too). If it is the way you want it, you can put the wax paper over the squares and press the iron down firmly to set the squares into the fabric.

ironing on the squares onto the black and white checkered curtains

Peel off the vinyl squares backing when they are firmly ironed in place.

starting out the DIY black and white checkered curtains

After a while, I started to eyeball a lot of the squares and it worked great. It doesn’t have to be totally perfect because nobody can tell when they hang up. The second panel went way faster than the first one.

I’m hooked now and these curtains for my entire downstairs.

full grid view of DIY black and white checkered curtains

Here is a current view of our dining room followed by some older photos.

current dining room view with DIY black and white checkered curtains

If you are wondering about our gorgeous new vinyl plank flooring then you can find out more about why I chose Karndean vinyl plank flooring in my recent blog post.

grommet view of black and white checkered curtains

neutral living room with black and white checkered curtains

close up details of DIY black and white checkered curtains

My hallway cross wall isn’t in our house anymore but I still love how it used to look.

cross wall view with DIY black and white checkered curtains in the background

old version of modern dining room with DIY black and white checkered curtains

beautiful neutral living room with pink and tropical accents and DIY black and white checkered curtains

These curtains aren’t the only project in my house using a pattern with black squares. Check out our powder room with a geometric black and white stenciled wall.

DIY black and white checkered wall stencil

graphic DIY black and white checkered curtains tutorial

Some more of my DIY window treatments:

DIY Marbled Watercolor Curtains Tutorial

DIY Marbled Watercolor Curtains Tutorial

black and white fabric painted curtains

Black and White Fabric Painted Curtains

grey and white horizontal stripe curtain

DIY gray and white horizontal striped curtains

How to build a painted window cornice

How to build a painted window cornice

DIY spotted window valance

DIY Spotted Window Valance

DIY black and white checkered curtains

DIY black and white checkered curtains

how to make modern black and white checkered curtains

Tschüß

 

 

 

 

 

(Youleeya)

DIY no-paint, no-sew black and white Curtains - Cuckoo4Design

How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design
How_to_make_nosew_nopaint_DIY_Graphic_blackandwhite_curtains_Cuckoo4Design_24
How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

How_to_make_nosew_nopaint_DIY_Graphic_blackandwhite_curtains_Cuckoo4Design_12
How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

colorful dining room - Cuckoo4Design new_pillows_cuckoo4design_28

How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

How to make no-sew, no-paint DIY graphic black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

eclectic colorful dining room with thrifted glass table, blue velvet chaise, large colorful abstract art, tulip chairs, brass urchin chandelier and DIY curtains - by Cuckoo4Design

living room with black and white curtains - Cuckoo4Design

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Whitney Shortt says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:26 am

    This so cool and you did an awesome job on the video! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 5:56 am

      Thanks so much Whitney, I was amazed at what my iPhone can do because that’s all I used for the video ๐Ÿ˜‰ First timer here.

  2. [email protected] Stroll Thru Life says

    October 21, 2015 at 6:50 am

    These are amazing. Your video was perfect. I love how these came out.

  3. cassie @ primitive & proper says

    October 21, 2015 at 7:03 am

    these are incredible, but i know i would not last on this project- i have the attention span of – squirrel! i am sorry what was i saying?

  4. [email protected] Chronicles of Home says

    October 21, 2015 at 7:49 am

    Well. I LOVE the way to curtains came out, but seriously – the video?!?! How is it that good for your first one?! The music, the camera angle, your shirt…everything was so, so good. Nice work!!!

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      ๐Ÿ˜‰ Thanks ๐Ÿ˜‰

  5. Design Chic says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:12 am

    They look amazing and loved watching the video! Your entire room is beautiful!!

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      Thank you

  6. Sueli says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:15 am

    What an amazing job Julia. The curtain is stunning and I loved the video too. Congrats!

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks so so much

  7. Patty Day says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:18 am

    Very, very clever!!
    xo
    Patty

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks so much Patty

  8. [email protected] says

    October 21, 2015 at 8:50 am

    Julia, these are so perfect! I absolutely love the way you mix black and white patterns – you are a master! And the video is adorable too!

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Haha thanks Brynne

  9. Sheryll $ Critters. says

    October 21, 2015 at 9:13 am

    Wow you are brilliant. Such a wonderful idea and your video is so clear. I would take a day to do what you finished in just a minute.

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Thanks Sheryll. And yes the heat transfer is washable. It’s made for t-shirt and fabric applications which means it is washable.

  10. Sheryll $ Critters. says

    October 21, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I forgot to ask where to get that great iron on tape. Also is it washable? If you said, I could have missed it. I was so caught up in the pics.

  11. [email protected] says

    October 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

    This is genius! I loved the video, too!

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you Angelica

  12. Gretchen says

    October 21, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    so cool! And I love that there’s no paint….I would end up with black paint all over the place if I tried to do something like this with paint ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:57 pm

      Yeah paint wouldn’t be good for this project

  13. [email protected] says

    October 21, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    Yes! Totally amazing! I don’t think I could have stuck through the whole project but I love the outcome! Also, that painting! Did I miss you posting about it?

    • Julia says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:57 pm

      I was obsessed with finishing it and Netflix makes the time pass fast. I actually really enjoyed the project. I’m strange. And I think I only posted about the project on Instagram ๐Ÿ˜‰

      • Julia says

        October 21, 2015 at 6:57 pm

        The painting I mean

  14. [email protected] says

    October 22, 2015 at 12:06 am

    I love how it turned out! I will probably use this technique on roman shades. Thanks for sharing!

    • Julia says

      October 22, 2015 at 7:03 am

      Thanks, I was thinking about doing that too for my bathroom

  15. Ellen from Ask Away says

    October 22, 2015 at 6:49 am

    LOVE!!!!!!! What a great idea!
    XO Ellen from Ask Away
    http://www.askawayblog.com

    • Julia says

      October 22, 2015 at 7:02 am

      Thank you so much Ellen

  16. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says

    October 22, 2015 at 6:59 am

    Those are fabulous! Pretty labor intensive, but totally worth it! They are perfect in your space.

    • Julia says

      October 22, 2015 at 7:02 am

      Once I got the hang of it, it went pretty quickly actually and you don’t have to wait for them to dry which I always had to do previously which cuts the time too.

  17. Kyla @ House Of Hipsters says

    October 22, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    This is too cool! I absolutely love it!

    • Julia says

      October 22, 2015 at 7:04 pm

      Thanks so so much Kyla

  18. Julia says

    October 22, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    oh gosh yes that wallpaper would make the curtains so much better. I feel like I need more classic elements now like my chaise to blanche those curtains and crosses out

  19. Brandi says

    October 23, 2015 at 5:11 am

    They look so good, Julia! I admire your patience!!!

    • Julia says

      October 23, 2015 at 7:02 am

      Thanks Brandi. It’s strange what I have patience for and what not ๐Ÿ˜‰

  20. Kathleen Tweed says

    October 23, 2015 at 8:01 am

    Julia, this is really amazing! Your creativity knows no bounds! Seriously, I just love these drapes. I’m not sure I will ever make them but your video makes me believe I can! You are a star! Who thinks like you do? You see something and are able to copy it and pull the whole thing off! Can’t say this is my favorite post b/c I love so much of what you do but this is unreal and up there in my favorite ones!
    Lv, Kathleen

    • Julia says

      October 23, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks so so much again Kathleen for being so sweet and your sweet email. Clearly made my day.

  21. Kenna says

    October 23, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    Oh my goodness, you did such a great job! These look so, so good. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Here’s an odd question – I have the same blank curtains from IKEA, would you consider making them for me? I’d obviously pay you but you’d do such a better job than me!

    If not, no worries!

    • Julia says

      October 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm

      Hi Kenna, they took a really long time to make and would end up being way too expensive if someone paid me to make them ๐Ÿ˜‰ but I’m so glad you like them.

  22. brittanyMakes says

    October 23, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    these curtains look so good! you are one patient lady!

    • Julia says

      October 25, 2015 at 6:20 am

      Sometimes I am patient, thanks ๐Ÿ˜‰

  23. Kimberly Duran says

    October 24, 2015 at 10:13 am

    Oh you are TOO clever!! I absolutely love that graphic pop they add – phenomenal job and your video was great!! xxx

    • Julia says

      October 25, 2015 at 6:20 am

      Thanks now I’m obsessed with making more. Just have to find the time to do it ๐Ÿ˜‰

  24. Amber @ Wills Casa says

    October 27, 2015 at 9:11 pm

    This is so good!! They look so beautiful and graphic! I bet they look even better with all the black and white you have already DIY’d. Absolutely incredible Julia. Also you’re styling and these photos are spot on!

  25. Krystine www.KrystineEdwards.com/blog says

    October 30, 2015 at 5:45 am

    You are seriously awesome! I WANT these!!! Wish I had time to make them but reality is I don’t. Wonder if I can pay you ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Julia says

      October 30, 2015 at 7:49 am

      I don’t really have the time to make them either but I pretend I do and then I get it done. Thank you ๐Ÿ˜‰

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Cuckoo4Design


I’m a German citizen living in the US who is cuckoo for all things DIY, design and pets. This is my design journey of our small home on a budget. Come stay a while and look around.

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