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Tag: Stencil

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain using Drop Cloth

I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far.  Now that I’m coming off my amazing moment high and getting back into my DIY groove, I’m excited to show you the new stenciled shower curtain panel that I recently made for the kids bathroom.

You may have seen a sneak peak of the shower curtain a few weeks ago when I shared some Spring updates.  A few of you even commented saying you loved the color choice (I do too).

It’s bright.

It’s bold.

It’s an eye-catcher…

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, SASinteriors.net

…And I made it myself.  It was super easy, inexpensive, and something you can absolutely do too!

The materials I started off with were:

  • 6′ x 9′ Canvas drop cloth (from Lowe’s)
  • Stencil – I used the same design from Cutting Edge Stencils that I used in the foyer
  • Paint – Valspar Pantone Emerald – #PN9055
  • Shower tension rod
  • Ball style shower curtain hooks
  • Foam roller
  • Tape measure
  • Scissors

Before I begin, here’s my beef with the typical store bought shower curtains… 

They’re too short.

Every shower curtain on the market is 72″ x 72″.  I like my shower curtains to sit just slightly above the floor, but then there is SO much space left above the curtain area, so it looks strange and you can see the showerhead.  You know how I feel about window panels being placed as high as they can go, well I feel the same with shower curtains.  When I redid my master bathroom, I ended up using two curtain panels to create a shower curtain.  It was an awesome solution! Since the panels were taller than a typical shower curtain, they heightened the space allowing the room to feel much larger.

That being said, this DIY drop cloth shower curtain is 7′ tall; much higher than the norm and there is only about 12″ from the top of the panel to the ceiling plane versus 24″+.

NOW, let’s begin.  Here’s how I made this dynamic shower curtain…

1. The canvas drop cloth size I found at Lowe’s was the perfect size (6′ x 9′), so there was essentially no trimming needed.  I started off by laying out the large panel on a flat surface – my kitchen /dining area is a large open space and is the ideal spot for big projects. 

I placed the stencil in the upper corner of the drop cloth and secured it with painters tape.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

2. Using the vibrant Emerald color and a foam roller, I carefully rolled the color over the stencil putting enough pressure on the roller so the paint adhered to the fabric, but not too much so the paint seeped under the stencil.  Believe me, up close it’s not perfect.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

3. Once the first section was done, I waited about 1-2 minutes and then carefully lifted the stencil and positioned it in the right place next to the previously painted area.  The Cutting Edge Stencils designs are awesome because they create each of the stencils so it easily matches up as you move it along your painting surface.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

4. I worked my way across and down. And then…

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

…realized I made a huge boo-boo!  At first, I didn’t put anything under the drop cloth and when I went to reposition it, I realized the paint seeped through.  UGH!  Thankfully it was still damp and the steamer took the paint right off.

Lesson Learned: Put something under your drop cloth before painting!

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COMYou live and learn!

5. After the debacle, I was back on track!  Once all the stenciling was done, it was time to make the large panel into a shower curtain.   With the 6 end, I took the top edge and rolled it over about 4″ (alittle more or less is fine), and ironed a crease.  This edge will create the top part of the shower curtain.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

6. Once the crease was created, I took it over to the sewing machine and sewed the edge.  Take a look at the graphic for the specific spot to sew – this is important!

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

7. Once the edge was sewn,  I layed the large panel out on the floor again.  I took the 12 ball style shower hooks and equally positioned them along the newly created hemmed edge.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

8. I marked the locations of where the ball style hooks layed.  Again, make sure they are equally spaced.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

9. Then it was time to create the hole for the ball style hook to fit into. Only trim through the first layer, not through the finished side of the panel.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

10.  Slip the hook into the hole. If you decide to tackle this project, you could create a true button opening so the fabric doesn’t fray, but I took the easy way out and didn’t, hehe.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

It’s almost finished!

11. Once the hooks were in place, I put the curtain on the shower curtain rod.  This was the part of the project where I decided the exact length of my newly created shower curtain.  If you remember before, I mentioned I purchased a 9′ long piece of canvas drop cloth, so it definitely needed to be trimmed a bit.  Once hung, I put a few pins in to mark the finished length that I wanted.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

12. Leaving about 4″ extra to create a bottom hem, I trimmed the excess fabric.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

13. Lastly, I ironed and sewed the bottom hem so the crease was at the exact spot that I marked with the pins.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

And then it was done!  Trimmed, sewn, and sitting high on the wall.  Perfecto.

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

The kids bathroom is right at the top of the stairs so this is the first sight you see. (another reason why I wanted something taller than the typical too-low shower curtains).

It surely is dynamic, fun, and unexpected!

DIY: Stenciled Shower Curtain Using Drop Cloth Material - super simple & inexpensive to create! @Jenna_Burger, WWW.JENNABURGER.COM

What a breathe of fresh air!  Don’t ya think?!  Canvas drop cloth is a favorite of mine to work with and I’m thrilled with the outcome of the project.

Here are more DIY projects I created using canvas drop cloth:
Placemats with Decorative Top Stitch
Drop Cloth Table Runner
Faux Roman Shade using Drop Cloth
Christmas Stockings
Simple Lined Window Panels with Drop Cloth Lining
Personalized Envelope Pillow

DIY: How to Stencil & Review of Cutting Edge Stencils

Sometimes (actually most of the time) going into a project, I never know what the result will be.  Because most of my projects are real experiments – – that’s why I call my home, My Experimental Playground – – I’m always a little scared “in the moment” anticipating a complete fail (which there have been many).  WELL…  the result of my latest project was surprisingly amazing.

I LOVE IT (now)!  Yet, during the process, was a complete different story….

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about my love for stenciling and how it’s the new “wallpaper”. In that post I made mention of a company, Cutting Edge Stencils, that offers gorgeous, stylish stencil designs.  I got in contact with them, and they graciously sent me my design of choice, which was the Trellis Allover Stencil, along with all the materials needed for me to try it out and share my results with you!

I chose to use the stencil on one of the prominent walls in my foyer.  The overall wall color in the room is Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan in a flat finish.  For the stencil, I decided to also use Lenox Tan but in a hi-gloss finish.  My thought was this contrast of sheen would give a subtle, but dramatic appearance (and it does)!

So before I share the steps…..

Don’t skip over reading this

The most important part of stenciling is to use the RIGHT materials!  These stenciling instructions are a must to read beforehand – – they are very detailed and will give you ideas of the exact tools you will need.

And the most important TOOL to use is a roller foam with an ultra smooth finish. It has very minimal nap and will give you the best result.  This is KEY to a successful stenciling result.  SO PLEASE USE THE RIGHT TOOLS!

So let’s get started….

Here is a before picture of the wall…. okay, but kind of boring ~

You will need ~

  • Stencil(s)
  • Sample board (Small Wall, poster board, cardboard, or even a pizza box to test out your colors)
  • Latex or acrylic paint
  • Dense foam roller with rounded ends or a stencil brush
  • Painter’s Tape
  • Paper Towels or rag

Note: I stenciled over an existing painted wall, but if you just painted your wall let it dry for 24+ hours before stenciling

1. Clean off the entire wall – remove all items including nails / screws, so the stencil can lay flat.

2. Starting in the corner, lay the stencil on the wall and tape the stencil to the wall with painter’s tape.

3. Using the innovative clip-on Stencil Level (which is included), check that the pattern is level.

4. Pour a small amount of paint on a plate or in a painter’s tray.  Roll it back and forth a few times.

5. Then roll it on a paper towel to get most of the paint off.  Your roller should have no visible paint left ~ it should look almost dry. Less paint is better to avoid seepage under the stencil.

6. Using a light to medium pressure, roll the paint over the stencil.  I lifted the corner edge to sneak-a-peak and noticed that the first coat wasn’t covering enough, so I ended up using two coats (READ BELOW on how to avoid using 2 COATS).  I let the paint dry about 5 minutes between coats.

(this is a picture my son took of me while painting – he did pretty good, right?!)

7. Once the section is done, remove the stencil and reposition the stencil right below the finished print. Use the parts of the design to realign your stencil.  And don’t forget to make sure it’s level!

Finish the rest of the wall and you’re done!

Overall, I am very happy with the result, BUT I have to say it does take some time to get used to.  I tackled one wall, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for a whole room or ceiling.  Check out {these} projects by other bloggers.  Since I’ve previously tackled wallpaper AND now, stenciling, I would say stenciling is a wee-bit easier.  The result is a little more forgiving.

An important note I want to share: I used Behr paint….BIG MISTAKE.    I’m not really a fan of Behr paint (sorry, Behr), because it dries too quickly and then removes the paint from the wall.  I ended up having to use Behr because they were the only company who had a hi-gloss finish and could color match the Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan.    So here was the problem ~ At times during the stenciling, the paint was peeling off the stencil and getting onto the wall.  I spoke with Cutting Edge Stencil about this problem and they never had that happen before.  SO that confirms that it was the paint that was the issue. To avoid this issue….

They recommend using:
Benjamin Moore  Aura – It’s more opaque and usually gives great coverage in just one coat

Again, the result is subtle, but dramatic.  Depending on where you stand and the amount of sun light filtering in throughout the day, the overall look changes.

Even though Cutting Edge Stencils sent me their product for review, I am giving my 100% honest opinion that they have a great product!  Stenciling is not just roosters and flowers anymore.  They have truly taken their designs to the next level to enhance the overall look and feel of a space. Here are a few others that I love:

Moroccan Dream Stencil

Nadya Damask SM scale

Vision Allover Stencil

AND it gets better…

Cutting Edge Stencil is offering a GIVEAWAY!  But, you’ll have to wait till next week to enter.  Head back to SAS Interiors next Thursday during my Summer Spaces Link Party for the Blogger Block Party and learn more about what Cutting Edge Stencil wants you to have!!