Thank you guys for your comments on the stenciled curtains! Here’s the tutorial on how I made the stencil and then used it to create my new favorite curtains.

What you’ll need:

fabric or pre-sewn curtains (I used pre-sewn curtains from Target found here, $35 for the pair)
paint and roller (I used Martha Stewart Zinc)
stencil paper (found mine at Hobby Lobby)
print out of pattern
pencil
Xacto knife
clear packing tape (if taping two pieces of stencil paper together)

How to do it:

STEP ONE: Print out the pattern you are wanting to stencil. I found a pillow with a print I liked online, but wanted the print to be much larger. I enlarged the image and had it printed out on several sheets and taped them together.

STEP TWO: Place the stencil paper on top of your image. Use a pencil to trace the pattern onto the paper. Mark the areas you don’t want to keep when cutting out the stencil. Note: I taped two pieces of stencil paper together using clear packing tape for a larger stencil.

STEP THREE: Carefully cut out your stencil using an Xacto knife on a protected surface. Make sure you leave yourself a boarder around all edges of your stencil so it stays together.

STEP FOUR: Time for painting! Lay out your fabric or curtains onto a safe, flat surface (I placed trash bags in between my wood floors and the curtains. Place your stencil on top of the curtain and start rolling on your paint. Start off with a light layer of paint and build up once you find the right amount. Too much paint on the roller can cause paint to seep under the stencil.

STEP FIVE: Carefully lift up your stencil and reposition. Keep on painting! If you get a little off centered like I did along the side, you can always go back and touch up those sections later.

STEP 6: Let your fabric dry completely before moving, and then enjoy your completely custom pattern!

I did end up switching out the silver grommets for black in order to match the curtain rod. I just flipped the curtains upside down, turning the old grommets under to make a new bottom hem, and then added new black grommets.

I’m pretty thrilled with the result. Even more thrilled that I got the exact pattern I wanted, but couldn’t find anywhere. Well, I’m sure I could have found something similar. It would have just cost me an arm and a leg. Now go find a pattern you love and make yourself something fun!

I’ll be linking up to these fab parties!

The DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff

CraftOManiac Monday at CraftOManiac

Tutorials and Tips at Home Stories A2Z

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

DIY by Design

Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Show Me What Ya Got at Not Just a Housewife
Show and Share at Southern Lovely
Tuesday Link Party at Todays Creative Blog

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Wow Me Wednesday at Ginger Snaps
Primp Your Stuff at {Primp}
Whatever Goes Wednesdays at Someday Crafts
Look What I Made! at Creations by Kara

Creative Juice Thursday at Momnivore’s Dilemma

Everything but the Kitchen Sink at A Little Knick Knack

Delightfully Inspiring Thursday at Delightful Order

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Remodelaholics Anonymous at Remodelaholic

Frugal Friday at Shabby Nest

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello

Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring

Simply Link Party at Simply Designing

Simply Creations Friday at Simple Home Life

Pity Party at 30 Handmade Days

Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Feature Friday at Five Days… 5 Ways

The Saturday Seven at Positively Splendid

Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things

Creative Bloggers’ Party and Hop at Homemaker on a Dime

Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Comments

Newest

Megan

loooooove!!! They turned out so great!
Jennie Larsen

LOVE THEM, GREAT JOB! winks, jen
Kathryn Pepper

These look amazing! Awesome job! I'd love for you to share them at my link party!!

Kathryn
destinationcraft.blogspot.com
Katie

Great job on the curtains! I love the pattern and the color!
Becky {This Is Happiness}

Wow! These look amazing Shelley!
Lindsey @ Impatiently Crafty

really love these and the great tutorial.. I'd love for you to post this project on my new link party! Impatiently Crafted Sundays 😉 http://impatientlycrafty.com/2012/10/13/craft-link-up-impatiently-crafted-sundays/
Jenna at Homeslice

so smart- they really did turn out amazingly!
{Hi Sugarplum!}

These are incredible and so gorgeous!! I've already added them to my next 'Melt My Butter' post! This room is perfection!
Our Pinteresting Family

what a fantastic tutorial. Your curtains are amazing! I would buy those in any store!
Judy

Those are beautiful. I love the color and the pattern. You did an amazing job. Thanks for sharing at DIYbyDesign.
Heather Smith

Great tutuorial! I love the color scheme
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain

Wow–looks so cool!
sew sweet vintage

Awesome!!! Really great tutorial:) I shared Halloween Chalk Board at this party. Following you now. Follow me too at http://www.sewsweetvintage.com and share a Facebook page like there:) I have a give away under "vintage chenille pumpkin" on my blog too!!!!
Lisa

Thanks for the tutorial! They look absolutely amazing!
K Coake

Wow, that is amazing! I'm not sure I have the patience to cut all that detail out like you did, but it sure looks worth it.
Jocie@TheBetterHalf

wow, they sooo good. I was just thinking this morning of making my own stencil paper and a wood burning tool.
We just started back up our link parties and we would love if you came and linked up at The Humble Brag. Each week, one lucky featured blogger will get one free week of advertising, which mean thousands of ad views a day! Hope to see you there.
http://www.oneprojectcloser.com/the-humble-brag-link-party-3/
Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft

So cool!! I'd love for you to link this up to Do Something Crafty Friday: http://seevanessacraft.com/2012/10/do-something-crafty-62/
Tina from A Few Pretty Things

I don't believe these curtains are stenciled! Great tutorial! Pining!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style

Wow, those are really great. I would not have had the patience to cut all those zig zag edges. The curtains look so good.
Lil Mama Stuart

looks great! how long did it take to paint the two panels?
Judy

Extremely impressive. I will be featuring this tonight at my Fall into Fall party that opens at 8pm EST. Please stop by and pick up an I've Been Featured button. Thanks.
Brandi

Gorgeous! I can't get over how beautiful they are. Great job, Shelley!!
Jenn @ Clean and Scentsible

Those look fabulous!! Love the little zebra stuffy too! 🙂 Pinned!
Jenn
Mindi@MyLove2Create

Came over from a linky party! You did a great job with this, I love the pattern, esp how the lines are not sharp but jagged! so cute! I am your newest follower!
City Farmhouse

Wowwww! That is amazing, just stunning, I am so impressed. You did a great job, now following!
Restoration House Interiors

Love it! Thanks for sharing! New Follower! -Kennesha
Ginger

Featuring YOU today! Thanks so much for linking up to {wow me} wednesday!

Ginger @ GingerSnapCrafts.com

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/10/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_25.html
A Little Knick Knack

WOW, these look amazing! I love the graphic you chose, very cool. 🙂
Glamorous Mommy

They look awesome!! Found you featured over at 30days handmade! I'm pinning this one for keeps 🙂

-Fotini { http://glamorousbride.blogspot.com }
1. Glamorous Mommy
  
  Also, I noticed you changed the chrome curtain holes to a bronze, I need to do this to mine, how did you do it?!
Sarah @ 20 State

Sigh, love, love, love!
Courtney {a thoughtful place}

Hot bananas those are STUNNING!!!!! So well done.
Curtain

The stenciled curatisn tutorial shown here is wonderful. Have a look at it
Hyphen Interiors

I can't even believe that is painted!! That looks so great!! I love that you made the stencil. I need to do that sometime.
K @ Shift Ctrl ART

These curtains are just spectacular!. What did you use for stencil paper?
K @ Shift Ctrl ART

Oh just saw it was from Hobby Lobby. I love the pattern you picked!
Ashish Kumar

Good pattern you made these curtains.

Home theatre curtains
Curtains and drapery

Meet Shelley

Hi, I’m Shelley! My belief is that with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can make your home look like a million bucks without spending it.

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