These unusual patchwork drapes (curtains) came about by chance after making table runners decorated with strips of paint for a big dinner party for our stockists. I made them with other people, and some people applied the paint thickly, some very sparingly, while others made the paint more watery.
After the party, I washed the strips on a low temperature and noticed how the paint had washed out partly and unevenly, depending on how it had been applied in the first place. The result was really attractive. I wondered how I could use these wonderful strips and then came up with the idea of sewing them together with the raw edges showing. I chose a natural linen fabric, because this has a wonderful texture. It also has a neutral color which means it works well with all the paint colors. The finished drapes are very pleasing and all the better for being a combined effort by many people who had never painted before.
YOU WILL NEED
• Chalk Paint® in Primer Red
• Other Chalk Paint® colors of your choice (I used Greek Blue, Château Grey, and Aubusson Blue)
• Strips of Natural Linen (the width of my fabric strips range from 14½–19in/37–49cm, but they are all approximately 98in/250cm in length)
• Masking tape
• Tape measure
• Small oval bristle brush
• Iron and ironing board
1Cut strips of fabric in the same or different widths—the one shown here is 14½in (37cm) wide. Lay two strips of masking tape down a central line, so that the strip to be painted is 5in (13cm) in from the edge and around 2in (5.5cm) wide. Make sure the tape is straight and stuck on firmly.
2Use the oval bristle brush to apply the Primer Red quite solidly, but not thickly. Don’t add water to the paint, as this will make it seep under the tape. Allow to dry thoroughly. Repeat with the other colors on the other strips of fabric.
3Pull the tape off each drape (curtain) and then heat them by pressing with a hot iron or put them through a tumble dryer. Wash the drapes at a low temperature to take off some of the paint, so the fabric is soft and the paint uneven.
Note: For instructions on making up the drapes, visit www.anniesloan.com/techniques.
