No-paint black and white DIY curtains
I came across the below photo on Instagram. I love the mix!
photo credit: hbhome.com (curtains: Squares in Black on White by Hinson)
That 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 Merete curtains, so they just had to do.
I also had some heat transfer vinyl left and knew it would fit the bill. It’s awesome that these are no-paint black and white DIY curtains this time. Not having to wait for paint to dry or to watch out for spills.
This is also the first time I tried to make a little movie to show you guys what I did. I’m not talking in the movie though because I have to try to get over not liking to hear my own voice.
Here is what you need:
• heat transfer vinyl like THIS one which I used (about 3 boxes)
• cutting mat
• craft knife
• iron
• metal ruler
• wax paper
• carboard (5″ square)
• painters tape
• curtains (I used Ikea Merete curtains)
And here is my amateur attempt at showing you how to do this in a movie:
I figured out a way to cut the squares faster and more efficient from the heat transfer after making the first panel. If you tape it to the cutting mat with the painters 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.
Oh and by the way the cardboard cross is in a 5″ square and the heat transfer squares are 1.25″
Make sure to keep the shiny side of the heat transfer facing up. 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.
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 want them everywhere in my downstairs but that probably won’t happen before Christmas.
Love it with my DIY striped piping pillows too (click HERE):
UPDATE:
I recently bought a new custom chandelier from Etsy (click HERE to go to the store)
I have considered replacing my $25 auction dining table but what it comes down to is that it is phenomenal to craft on. Kind of strange but it really is.
I couldn’t be happier with my new curtains. I love looking at them and they complement the opposite cross wall perfectly.
I also adore how they look in the rest of my house now. You can see more in the photo below and by clicking HERE for a recent home tour:
And here are photos and links of the other curtains I made to refresh your memory:
Click HERE
Click HERE
Click HERE
I ended up making them for every room in our down stairs and love the look:
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
This so cool and you did an awesome job on the video! 🙂
Thanks so much Whitney, I was amazed at what my iPhone can do because that’s all I used for the video 😉 First timer here.
These are amazing. Your video was perfect. I love how these came out.
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?
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!!!
😉 Thanks 😉
They look amazing and loved watching the video! Your entire room is beautiful!!
Thank you
What an amazing job Julia. The curtain is stunning and I loved the video too. Congrats!
Thanks so so much
Very, very clever!!
xo
Patty
Thanks so much Patty
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!
Haha thanks Brynne
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.
Thanks Sheryll. And yes the heat transfer is washable. It’s made for t-shirt and fabric applications which means it is washable.
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.
This is genius! I loved the video, too!
Thank you Angelica
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 😉
Yeah paint wouldn’t be good for this project
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?
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 😉
The painting I mean
I love how it turned out! I will probably use this technique on roman shades. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I was thinking about doing that too for my bathroom
LOVE!!!!!!! What a great idea!
XO Ellen from Ask Away
http://www.askawayblog.com
Thank you so much Ellen
Those are fabulous! Pretty labor intensive, but totally worth it! They are perfect in your space.
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.
This is too cool! I absolutely love it!
Thanks so so much Kyla
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
They look so good, Julia! I admire your patience!!!
Thanks Brandi. It’s strange what I have patience for and what not 😉
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
Thanks so so much again Kathleen for being so sweet and your sweet email. Clearly made my day.
Oh my goodness, you did such a great job! These look so, so good. 🙂
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!
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 😉 but I’m so glad you like them.
these curtains look so good! you are one patient lady!
Sometimes I am patient, thanks 😉
Oh you are TOO clever!! I absolutely love that graphic pop they add – phenomenal job and your video was great!! xxx
Thanks now I’m obsessed with making more. Just have to find the time to do it 😉
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!
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 😉
I don’t really have the time to make them either but I pretend I do and then I get it done. Thank you 😉