Drop Cloth Drapes

Custom drapes are ridiculously expensive.  Damask drapes are ridiculously stuffy.  So, why not make custom  damask drapes that are both inexpensive and modern.  My back pocket trick: drop cloths!

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MATERIALSCotton drop clothsWall stencilPaintStippling brushChalk

STEPSChoose drop cloths that are about 6” longer than you want your drapes.  Fold over the top to create a long pocket.  This will be for your curtain rod.

Either sew or use fabric glue along the edge  of the fold to secure it in place.  Once down, give the entire panel an ironing and lay it out on a flat work surface.

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Place your stencil in the bottom corner of your cloth, and mark the top corners with chalk.

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Load your brush with paint,  it then get most of it off.  You want a fairly dry brush to prevent bleeding.  I used leftover wall paint from the room where the drapes are going to ensure a good match.

Now pounce straight up and down with the brush over your stencil.  Go lightly, you can always go back and add more.  Make sure your holding your stencil down and not moving it.

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Carefully remove your stencil and lay it back down lining it up with your chalk-mark.

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Continue repeating this and you’ll end up with a grid of your pattern.

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Now, go back through and center your stencil in the voids if your rows and fill in with additional medallions.

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all over pattern

all over pattern

Voila, custom drapes at a fraction of the cost!