How to Make Christmas Curtains

Curtains adorned with snowmen, a Santa Claus or poinsettias might make even the biggest Scrooge smile when he enters the room, so encourage your Christmas creativity and make the some Christmas curtains. It doesn't matter whether you use graphics, song lyrics or words like "Joy" and "Ho-Ho-Ho," they're bound to be a festive hit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Scissors
• Simple line drawings or text for templates
• Parchment paper or freezer paper
• Masking tape
• Solid color cotton curtains
• Straight pins
• Black fabric marker
• Fabric paint
• Paint brushes and/or foam brushes

1. Cut out some simple line drawings or text to use as templates. Some sources for finding them might be wrapping paper, coloring books, clipart or Christmas cards. Enlarge them on a copier if necessary.
2. Cover your work surface with parchment paper or freezer paper (shiny side up) and secure it with masking tape. This prevents the paint from sticking to the work surface and the curtains peel up nicely too once they are dry.
3. Place the curtains on the work surface and pull them taut. Tape the edges down with masking tape.
4. Pin the drawings or text onto the curtains in the locations you desire and trace around them with a black marker or the color of your choice. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding. Remove the template(s).
5. Color the drawings with paint just as you would color in a coloring book. Use colors that tickle your fancy. Jacquard Textile Color is excellent fabric paint that's available in craft stores or on the Internet (see link in Resources). Let each coat dry completely before applying the next.
6. Heat set the paint according to the manufacturer's directions on the label once the curtains are thoroughly dry. Speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer or heat gun.
7. Hang the curtains for a festive Christmas holiday. Consider making curtains that use the same hardware as your everyday draperies, so you can switch them out easily.

Tips & Warnings

• If a drawing is not easily identified by tracing around it alone such as a Santa Claus face, you might want to cut out each piece separately, e.g. the hat, beard and face. Then, trace them individually in the appropriate order.
• When tracing the design, make the line thick to enhance the border and make it stand out.
• Practice on an old piece of fabric to get the feel for the paint and the brushes before working on the curtains.
• If you don't want the back of the painted curtains to show on the outside of the window, use a very thick curtain or a curtain with a thick backing to paint on. Otherwise layer sheers or other curtains underneath.
• After heat setting, consider embellishing by adding beads, buttons or ribbon.
• If using a heat gun, do not touch it anywhere other than the handle. Heat guns are extremely hot.
• Don't hold the heat gun too close to the drying area and always move it continuously during the drying process.
• Children should be under adult supervision when working with these materials.

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