April 13, 2012

Herringbone Pelmet Tutorial


Isn't pelmet a funny word?
Well I think it is, and I decided it was the perfect solution to my kitchen window dilemma. I'm not a kitchen curtain person- and if you are, I'm not judging. I'm just saying, they're not for me. I saw a pelmet tute ages ago from Cassie, and filed the idea away for later.  Today, my friends, is later!
Wanna know how to make one? {This is where you start skimming if you don't care how to make one of these bad boys!}
Here's how I did mine. You Need: Fabric, Foam Core, Exacto knife {or something like it} Ruler or Carpenter's Triangle and Batting, L bracket or Curtain Rod Hardware

1] First, measure your window and determine the measurements of your pelmet. I used two pieces of foam core- then taped them the length of the window with packing tape.
2] Measure your curtain rod hardware, then cut the top of your board the same amount as your hardware is long. Like my hardware was 2.5 inches, so I cut down the board 2.5 inches.  Make sure you don't cut all the way through the board. I cut through the outer layer and the foam so I could bend it.
  3] Then cut out the corners. You can cut them all the way through, then remove the piece.  
 4] Then bend the sides and the top down and secure the corner. Again, I just used packing tape. I also taped the tops and sides to reinforce them. You can see from the pic on the right what mine looked like.
5] Once you have the pelmet shape, you can cover it with batting. I used a spray adhesive to secure the batting to the board. Then again, I just used tape to adhere the batting to the back of the board.

6] Lay out you fabric, and repeat the process of the securing it to the board just like you did the batting. This time I used a combo of staples and tape because I wanted the fabric to be stretched tight.
About this time- I looked over my finished pelmet and thought my linen looked a bit plain. So although I had already secured the fabric- I decided to spice it up a bit.
I wanted a herringbone print- but I couldn't find a place that sold a stencil resembling anything like I wanted. So- I made one with Word. I just manipulated rectangles and their angle, until I made something I liked. I wanted an abstract herringbone with a Native American flair. I love how this resembles the feathers on an arrow.
If you want to make your own print, here's what you need: Freezer Paper, Paint, Fabric Additive, Exacto Knife, Cutting Board, Brush, Container, Spray Adhesive and a pattern
I] Make a pattern or download a template.
II] Once I had a pattern I cut it out using my Exacto knife, then used that as a template to cut a stencil from freezer paper. It didn't take long at all, and if I did anything differently, I would have spent the time to cut out a bigger stencil. That would have saved time in the end. 
III] Mix your fabric additive and paint
IV] Use the spray adhesive to coat the PAPER side of your new stencil.
V] Your ready to use your stencil, make sure you're stencil is straight and using a foam brush apply the paint. Make sure the stencil is pressed down firmly and that there isn't a lot of paint on your brush.
And that, folks, is how you do it! I wanted a slightly handmade look. Like I the end product to look like it was hand done or done with block printing. You know- how the color will have variations and each line will look different? So I was careful to load the brush differently here or there, or apply different amounts of pressure.
I used the same gray paint that I used to stencil the damask curtains in the rest of the room. I wanted something that tied in- but that stood out. Damask is such a timeless print, but I wanted something more fun and current for the small kitchen area. 
And remember, you cannot judge these glorious {yeah right} honey oak cabinets. You guys know we rent this place- so what you see is what you get! Though I did try to convince Z that the landlord would never notice if they were suddenly turned white! Sadly, he was not on board! ;-)
Now for the money details! I purchased my supplies mostly at Joann's. With several coupons for "March Madness" the supplies totaled around 15 bucks. I bought a linen fabric (2 feet, half off, coming in at $8.) At the time I thought linen was important {to tie on with the linen-like Ikea curtains}, but now that I see the final product- I think a drop cloth would have looked almost the same. If I had used the leftover dropcloth this would have cost $6. 
Now who wants to make one of these bad boys!?




26 comments:

  1. That is so true..."Pelmet" is a funny word! LOL! But yours definitely doesn't look funny Becca. It looks just beautiful! I love the fabric choice and your tutorial is fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Becca! I'm a kitchen curtain person by now, but I don't like the heavy ones. Your idea is excellent and I will use it when we get our own home.

    Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think we should make pelmut into a verb. Even funnier. I love how you "pelmutted" your window treatment! LOL!

    blessings,
    karianne

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's official, I love everything that you do!! Gorgeous :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love it! I've always wanted to try this. We do have a need for something in our kitchen too...just so many project, so little time! You did a fantastic job (as usual)!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think this turned out PERFECT! I like your Pelmet a LOT!!! XO, Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great looking Pelmet there Becca!! Another fab tutorial too!


    Just stopped by to let you know that I featured your Union Jack Burlap pillow on my round tuit post this week!

    Thanks again for linking up! Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

    ReplyDelete
  8. Another totally awesome project! Also I saw your ottoman on Censational Girl's BOTB today! Nice work!

    --Katie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for linking this one to a Round Tuit too Becca!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very nice! Here is my Sundae Scoop post: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/bell-bottom-baby.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think the best think about this is that you don't have to have any battery-powered tool to do it! This is something I can see in my kitchen- I'll have to get to thinking about a pattern I want.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Awesome project. It looks fantastic! Megan

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is so beautiful! I love the pattern! I would love for you to share this with my Unveil Your Genius link party! http://taylornorris.blogspot.com/2012/04/unveil-your-genius-link-party-6.html
    (New linky every Thursday...each linky runs for a week)

    Happy Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's like you're magical... I liked the pattern when I saw it for a minute last week and had no idea you made the pattern yourself! Crafty lady... good job!

    ReplyDelete
  15. It's fantastic~ You did a great job on it and thanks for the tutorial too! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is awesome. Where do you find the time fo all of these great projecst?!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love that! I am not really a curtain person either. We only have one set in our whole house and that is too block the light out of my boys' bedroom so they will sleep past 6 am! I think this would be perfect in my kitchen...and I love the pattern you added! Stopping by from TT&J. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beautiful job, I love a good DIY project! It really suits your kitchen

    ReplyDelete
  19. Wonderful project, it really goes well with your curtains and paint, love it! I am a new reader, creating over at http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com - Tanya :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love your pelmet!! Looks beautiful!! We're so glad you linked up to our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." Thanks for coming and we hope you'll be back. -The Sisters

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bec,
    Is there anything you can't do? Don't think so! These are awesome...love the pattern! Can't wait to see them in person. Very, very NICE!! -sue

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love this! Thanks for the tutorial and for linking up.
    XO
    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  23. So cute! I love your herringbone look =)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Looks fantastic. Love the fabric you chose and the way it cozies up that part of your kitchen.

    ReplyDelete
  25. It looks great! I admit, I had to check out your post because...what in the world is a pelmet?! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful work! Did you know that when you are using freezer paper for a stencil on fabric, the shiny side will stick very well to the fabric if you iron it down? Less messy than using spray adhesive, but either way works. Love the herringbone printing!

    ReplyDelete

Thoughts? Questions? Opinions? Let's talk about it!