DIY Blue Stenciled Dining Room Curtains — A Simple Fabric Painting Project

In this article: Using basic supplies and a stencil, these blue stenciled dining room curtains are an approachable project for learning how to paint on fabric.

I love fabric. When I have a spare moment in town, I often drift into the decorator fabric section at our local store. I’m always searching for a great sale, but the patterns I truly fall for tend to be new arrivals and expensive.

For years I searched for the right fabric for our dining room curtains — something with a soft blue pattern to complement the room. A stenciled design I admired from Miss Mustard Seed inspired the direction I wanted to take.

Most ready-made decorator fabrics I found cost around $40 per meter, and with two large windows to cover, that quickly exceeded my budget. I needed an affordable, creative alternative that would still give me the look I wanted.

Last year I found four generously sized cream tablecloths on sale for just $6 each. They were perfect blank canvases for a DIY project. A little later, Royal Design Studio offered me a stencil to review, and I decided this was the chance to transform the tablecloths into curtains using a stencil I loved: the Chez Sheik Moroccan pattern.

Even with the supplies ready, I was nervous to start. Painting on fabric felt intimidating at first — what if the pattern bled, the spacing was wrong, or the final color didn’t suit the room? I read tutorial after tutorial and watched demos online, but the hardest part was simply beginning.

Finally, I started. The process was slower and more deliberate than I expected, but it was very manageable with simple tools: a stencil, fabric paint in a blue hue I loved, a few brushes or pouncers, and plenty of patience. The key was working in small sections, keeping the stencil aligned, and tapping off excess paint to avoid smudging.

Once the painting was finished and the paint cured according to the manufacturer’s instructions, I hung the panels on the rod. I was anxious until that moment — until I stepped back and saw the pattern across both windows in the room’s natural light. The result matched my vision: soft blue stenciled curtains that feel custom and restrained, yet full of charm.

I was relieved and delighted — these curtains are exactly what the dining room needed. The painted pattern adds visual interest without overwhelming the space, and the blue tone complements the existing trim and furniture.

This project proved that with inexpensive base fabric and a quality stencil, you can create high-impact, budget-friendly window treatments. Painting on fabric is a versatile technique: you can customize scale, repeat, and color to suit any room. It’s also a great way to replicate the look of expensive designer textiles at a fraction of the cost.

These stenciled curtains are only the beginning of the dining room plans I have in mind. I’m excited to layer complementary textiles and finishes to complete the space.

Many thanks to Royal Design Studio for providing the stencil and encouraging me to try this technique. Their stencil made it easier to achieve a consistent, professional-looking repeat pattern across the fabric panels.

Updated: I later published a detailed follow-up with step-by-step instructions and a video showing exactly how I prepared the fabric, aligned the stencil, applied the paint evenly, and finished the panels for hanging. That post includes tips on paint selection, curing, and how to avoid common mistakes when stenciling on fabric.

If you’re considering a DIY curtain project, stenciling onto inexpensive cloth is a cost-effective and creative option. With patience and a steady hand, you can achieve a custom look that reflects your personal style and transforms a room.