Goodbye Boring Curtains: Spice Yours Up With Block Printing For Beginners

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Curtains serve as an accompaniment to our windows. And when done right, can boost their aesthetic appeal, ground other decor in a room, or work as a statement piece and grab eyeballs. However, if yours feel basic and you are not ready to invest in a new pair, block printing offers a beginner-friendly upgrade. You just need some fabric-safe paint, such as Shuttle Art's 18 Color Set, a foam paintbrush, and a wooden printing block to give your outdated curtains a modern upgrade. You can buy a set online, like this one from the Royal Kraft Store, or go thrifting for unique pieces.

In case you're on a tight budget and don't want to spend much money, you can use a potato to hack a gorgeous paint design. All you have to do is cut it in half and push in a metal cookie cutter in your preferred shape. Use a knife to trim away the excess around the cutter so the raised shape is ready for printing. Similarly, if you don't have a foam paintbrush, substitute it with a gentle dishwashing sponge. Moreover, if you don't have fabric paint, try a homemade solution. Once you have the basic supplies, grab some old newspaper and lay it on your desk to keep your work zone paint splatter-free. Alternatively, get an old cloth (must be clean, dry, and wrinkle-free or it'll impede your block printing efforts) to serve the same purpose.

The first step is to take down your curtains from their perch and give them a wash. Then, let them dry before ironing them well. Meanwhile, get your workstation ready. Lay down an old cloth or newspaper. This will serve as a steady base for your soon-to-be-block-printed curtain. Now, get an old dish or palette and pour some of your favorite fabric-safe paint into it. Dip your foam brush or sponge in the paint, remove the excess, and dab it on your printing block to cover the design. Be gentle and spread the paint evenly, or you'll be left with uneven wet splotches across your curtain.

When you're satisfied, press the block on your curtain for a few seconds prior to picking it up. You should be able to see the pattern imprinted on the fabric. Repeat the process multiple times till the entire curtain is sufficiently covered. It's best to start with one of the four edges and work your way inwards. This will help you avoid unsightly smears. You also want to measure the distance between each print with a tape measure or ruler for an impeccable finish. In case you don't want to keep dragging the tape measure through wet paint, divide your curtain into grids beforehand and mark specific points for block printing using a pencil. After you cover the entire curtain, let the paint air dry completely. Finally, iron the curtain to work out the kinks and allow the heat to set in the painted prints.

An important tip is to avoid pressing a block on an imprinted design twice. Otherwise, the end design will look chunky and imperfect. Additionally, you should reapply paint after each press to ensure consistent coverage. Since this can be a bit time-consuming if you're covering a large curtain, set aside a few hours for this project, especially if you're a beginner.

Another tip is to experiment with the designs on an old piece of cloth before you start pressing the blocks onto your curtains. This will also help you determine the overall theme and sequence of prints if you're using different kinds of blocks. And if you manage to find the cloth in the same shade as your curtain, you can see how your chosen paint colors pair with the curtain, and whether or not you need to make some changes. However, be sure to keep the foam paintbrushes (or sponges) separate if you go this route. But if you don't mind the paints mixing together or you want a different shade for each print, be deliberate about the colors you combine together. Moreover, when a block has distinct sections, such as petals, consider using different tones for added dimension and an overall "wow" effect. You can even paint the prints by hand if you feel like they seem a little bland or want to add a personalized touch to your curtains.