Anthropologie Inspired Ombre Curtains With Fringe
6 Materials
$75
3 Hours
Medium
I love Anthropologie, but I cannot bring myself to spend $50+ per curtain panel when I have 4 windows to cover. IKEA is more in my budget at $25 for a PAIR of panels.
But I still want those Anthro details. The details are what makes their products so lovely. Pretty ruffles, embroidery, patterns, trim and interesting dye jobs.
I can dye fabric and add trim!
Start by filling a tub with lukewarm water. I placed mine in the bathtub for easy disposal when I finished.
I also ran my curtains through the washing machine to preshrink them. Don't dry them yet!
Next I dissolved the dye in some water. I like jacquard dye because it won't fade or bleed when washed. It's only slightly more expensive and the quality is WAY better than the usual dye.
Add it to your water and stir.
Dissolve salt in the same water but use hot water. Add it to the dye bath.
Mix 1/3c soda ash with water and dissolve it as well. Add it to the dye bath and mix well.
Now it's time for the fun part. Line all of your curtains up to where they are the same height. It's tricky, but do-able. Work one at a time.
Then dip the bottom half into the dye bath. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, pull the curtains out by about 12". Let them sit for another 15 minutes.
Keep pulling them out 12" after 15 minutes until you get to the end. Let that part sit for 20 minutes.
Then pull them out and rinse them until the water runs clear.
I didn't rinse mine 100% and the tops ended up turning a very pale aqua, which I love. Happy accidents!
Place your curtains in the washing machine and run them through a normal cycle. Dry them for about 25 minutes so they're still damp. (The wrinkles come out better with an iron when they're damp.)
Hang them on your rod to determine where to hem them. If your curtains are already the correct length, you can skip this part and just iron your curtains.
Mine needed about 6", so I gave them a nice thick hem, which makes them look way more expensive than they are.
Press the hem and iron your curtains.
I sewed on 2" fringe for more details. Fold the edge under when sewing.
Hang your curtains and silently congratulate yourself. You just saved yourself about $325!! And your curtains look fantastic.
For more details and more budget friendly DIY home decor ideas, check out my blog.
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Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
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2 of 29 comments
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The results are fabulous! Great job 😁
Annie🦋
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Great job! Thanks for the directions.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Is there a way to fix double pane windows when the seal is obviously broken and there is mildew starting to be in the space between the double panes? Or do i have to replace the windows? Ugh!
Please can you explain why you add salt to the dye preparation? Thank-you.
Hi, your curtains are nice! What is soda ash and where can you get it.?