Raise your hand if you love polka-dots. Keep it up if you’re a sucker for a jumbo polka-dot!
Well then you’ve got to stick around to see how I made these jumbo polka dot curtains!
When driving in the car the other day listening to “Wheels on the Bus” for the gajilienth time, I realized that in all the fall frenzy I never gave you an update on the Grandkid’s Room over at my mom’s house.
Last time I mentioned it was when I showed you how to get perfect paint lines when painting stripes.
I can’t wait to show you the big reveal, but one of the biggest wow factors in this room has to be these polka dot curtains that are inspired by a pretty pricey fabric.
I’m glad I came up with a DIY version because this project cost me right around 30 bucks for both curtain panels!
To catch some of you up on the situation, my mom (the best Uma ever) wants a bedroom at her house that’s special for when the grand kids come over and I’m helping her make it happen.
First, we came up with a gender neutral color pallet of navy and turquoise with a little bit of green.
The original plan was to buy some polka dot fabric that we’d seen with large navy blue polka-dots on it. But when we realized it was going to cost us over 100 bucks to make them, we had to come up with an alternative and I’m so glad we did.
I am a sucker for a jumbo polka-dot and think that it’s kid like, but more graphic than juvenile, so it will grow with the four grand kids that will nap, play, and have sleepovers in this room.
To paint your curtains you will need:
- curtain panels
- fabric paint (or craft paint that works on fabric)
- something round from around the house that is the diameter that you want your circles to be (I used a small bowl)
- and a small paint brush.
How to Paint Polka Dot Curtains
The hardest part of this project is finding a space big enough to lay your curtain panel out flat. It will need to stay there for about 24 hours so keep that in mind.
Step 1: Trace your polka dots onto your curtains
I’m not big on measuring, so I just started tracing my bowl in the top right corner and worked my way down the curtain in a straight line, spacing my circles about 10 inches apart.
When I got to the bottom, I went back up to the top and started my next vertical line 10 inches away from and half way between the top two in the line I just made. You can see the pattern in the picture below. There are a few mistakes, but when they hang it looks fine.
Step 2: Fill in your jumbo polka dots with paint
When you’re ready to start painting it’s best to fill in the middle part of the circle first and then carefully do the edges.
Be sure to get a pretty thick coat of paint (especially if you’re using white fabric like I did,) because when the sun comes through them you can see where there isn’t enough paint. I had to do a few touch ups after I hung them up the first time.
Step 3: Let them dry before hanging
Allow them to lay flat and dry for 24 hours. The last thing you want to do is smudge your perfect polka dots by hanging them to soon!
I ain’t gonna lie. This is a little bit time consuming…but the money I saved was totally worth it!
What do you think? Totally worth the time and effort right?
This was only one of the ways we saved some serious cash in this kid bedroom.
ohio says
Awesome article! I just posted this on Facebook and my followers really enjoyed it.
I visit your site fairly often but I’ve never thought to
comment. Anyhow, keep up the good work. I really enjoy your
posts.
Corey Willis says
Thanks for being a loyal reader!
Meryl @ One Black Robin says
These look amazing! I have just bought my daughter some cheap plain calico curtains (I love the look of calico) and was pondering what I would do with them. I might just have my answer! I wonder if using a simple circle stencil would be faster though?
Corey W. says
Yes! It would definitely be faster with a stencil. Just remember to not have too much paint on your brush or roller so that it doesn’t bleed through. You could also use a spray adhesive for fabric to keep it nice and tight to the fabric. I’d love for you to send me pics if you try it! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Katie Cooper says
Congratulations, it looks really great. A simple method, but this ideas was beautify the room. I can try in my childrens room.
Mindy says
I have been looking for pink polka dot curtains and am having no luck. I am really not a DIYer either … but I am tempted to try … unless you want to make some for me and I will pay you! 😉 Half kidding, half not! 🙂
Corey W. says
Hahaha! I would totally take you up on it if I had the time, but summer with my little lady home has me way short on time. In all honesty this is a super simple project that you can totally do! I believe in you and the money you save to get exactly what you are looking for is going to be so worth it! Let me know if you need more encouragement and please send photos of your finished project! I’d love to showcase them in an upcoming reader’s spotlight post 🙂 Happy polka-dot-painting!
Danielle says
Hi there! this post caught my eye on Pinterest! Love it! I’m wanting to paint my own curtains for the living room – green horizontal stripes on white curtain panels. From what I’ve read Ikea is the best place to buy the curtains. I’m curious…which white curtains did you purchase for this project…there are a couple different ones that they sell. Are they fabric or more like plastic? And from the picture it doesn’t look like the curtains are super thick for blocking out light…right? I’m just trying to judge what I would need buy for our living room which lets in TONS of light! Anyway, great post! And I host a link party w/6 other ladies every weekend. I’d love to have you share this at our party! I know my readers would love it!
tinysidekick says
Hi there! These are MERETE curtains from IKEA. They are a thicker fabric, but definitely don’t block out all light and are a slightly off white color. They were easy to paint, but the paint did soak through in a few spots. I think they would be easy to add a black out lining too if you wanted them to black out all of the light. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll see you at the link party!
Mel the Crafty Scientist says
Wow – these are super-amazing too! I’m looking to paint some curtains in our house and definitely pinned this tutorial to keep in mind! : )
-Mel the Crafty Scientist
Michelle @ Hey Love Designs says
Ohh this is so cute and fun! Great tutorial. I found you from the Made by You Monday link party. 🙂
Jocie@OPC says
OMG. seriously, in love!! featuring you tonight. 🙂
Leslie Lambert says
Congratulations…this post was featured on Create It Thursday #27! Thanks so much for sharing such a great idea with us last week!
Gena Thomas says
Totally adorable and opens the idea door to so many possibilities.
tinysidekick says
Thanks Gena! I know what you mean…these won’t be the last painted curtains I do, I’m sure!
Kayla @ Home Coming blog says
These are so cute!! Thanks for linking up to The DIY’ers!
Jenna says
OMG! These are so adorable! They look terrific and I can’t wait to see the finished room.
Carrie This Home says
Oh my goodness–these curtains are SO cute! I may have to do this for my son’s room–pinning it now! I’m so happy you linked this up at Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!
Brynne@TheGatheredHome says
Those polka dots are so cute! I love them paired with the stripes on the wall 🙂
tinysidekick says
Thanks! I love the two prints together and like that it isn’t to matchy-matchy. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Christine says
Totally ROCKING curtains Corey!!!
tinysidekick says
Thanks so much Christine! Hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving!
Misty Smith says
I love it, but my daughters curtains are light green,and i wanna paint them pink,im going with the princess theme,any suggestions? ??????
Abby says
I adore polka dots and jumbo ones are the best! These turned out so cute! Great job!
tinysidekick says
Thanks Abby!
Alexis @ Persia Lou says
They look awesome, and I love the stripe you did on the wall. Can’t wait to see the finished room! I have been working up the courage to do a room reveal for the kids’ rooms I’ve been working on , but it always seems like there is just one more project I want to finish first.
tinysidekick says
Thanks Alexis! I know what you mean…is a room ever really done?