Net Curtains can be seen to be a tiny bit dated and 'naff'. It's also a chore to keep bleaching them back to white when they get the slights stain or bit of dust on them. But they don't just have to hang in the window (or stuffed under the stairs). They can be used to make a number of creations that are fun, unusual and to add that unique touch to your home!
If you purchase the decorated Net Curtains such as the butterfly nets or the floral nets you can cut out the pattern, such as the flowers or the butterflies and use them as a stencil to spray paint over. This is especially good on plain photo frames to add an extra bit of detail. And if you paint your frames one colour and then spray paint them another with the lace stencil you'll have a beautifully patterned two tone frame!!
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Floral Net Curtains[/caption]
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Butterfly Net Curtains[/caption]
This technique could also be used on old jam jars which could then be employed as candle or tea light holders. This would go really well with the vintage style that is all the rage at the moment. Or you could even glue the lace on to the jam jar to create a shabby chic look.
If you don't feel like decorating all year round you could cut the nets down into doilies. These are great for stopping heavy ornaments scratching and damaging your surface tops. They also minimise the dust build up on top of these surfaces. The highland nets would be best for this. However even doilies fall into the same old fashioned genre as the Net Curtains. So why not cut the nets into snowflake shapes and using a fabric stiffener create christmas hangings! Simply cut out the nets and paste the stiffener on undiluted until they are just sodden and then leave them to dry. Once dry press with the iron and hang from fishing line or clear thread!
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Highland Net Curtains[/caption]
If that doesn't take your fancy why not use the fabric stiffener to create a bowl? Simply cut out a circular shape in the nets and attach buttons, jewels, sequins etc. to jazz up the white fabric. Cover a template bowl in foil so it doesn't get damaged and place the doily over the top and lacquer with fabric stiffener. Leave to dry for a day. Once dry remove the net from the template and apply more fabric stiffener to the inside. Leave to completely dry and you now have a lovely personalised bowl!
Floral Net Curtains[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_7593" align="alignnone" width="300"] Butterfly Net Curtains[/caption]
This technique could also be used on old jam jars which could then be employed as candle or tea light holders. This would go really well with the vintage style that is all the rage at the moment. Or you could even glue the lace on to the jam jar to create a shabby chic look.
If you don't feel like decorating all year round you could cut the nets down into doilies. These are great for stopping heavy ornaments scratching and damaging your surface tops. They also minimise the dust build up on top of these surfaces. The highland nets would be best for this. However even doilies fall into the same old fashioned genre as the Net Curtains. So why not cut the nets into snowflake shapes and using a fabric stiffener create christmas hangings! Simply cut out the nets and paste the stiffener on undiluted until they are just sodden and then leave them to dry. Once dry press with the iron and hang from fishing line or clear thread!
[caption id="attachment_7595" align="alignnone" width="300"] Highland Net Curtains[/caption]
If that doesn't take your fancy why not use the fabric stiffener to create a bowl? Simply cut out a circular shape in the nets and attach buttons, jewels, sequins etc. to jazz up the white fabric. Cover a template bowl in foil so it doesn't get damaged and place the doily over the top and lacquer with fabric stiffener. Leave to dry for a day. Once dry remove the net from the template and apply more fabric stiffener to the inside. Leave to completely dry and you now have a lovely personalised bowl!