Those sun-faded curtains may have once been your favorite, but now they’ve become faded and tattered. They’re not the only things that are worn out in your house everything else is, too. Now it’s time to take matters into your own hands and learn How to Fix Sun Faded Curtains.
It can be daunting to repair or replace an old curtain, but this guide will show you how to fix sun-faded curtains with just a few inexpensive supplies. Get ready to learn how to fix those sun-faded curtains!
Related Article: How To Stretch Net Curtains: The Ultimate Guide.
How to Identify Sun-Faded Curtains
Before you can fix those sun-faded curtains, you’ll need to know if they are truly sun-faded. If your curtains are sun-faded, they may have deep creases and dark spots throughout the fabric. This is an indication that the curtains have absorbed too much sunlight and UV rays. However, not all creases or dark spots on the fabric mean your curtains are sun-faded. The easiest way to tell is by looking at the color of your curtains. If your drapes are a golden brown color, but parts of them look black, it’s likely that there is a problem with how natural light reflects off them.
The Solution
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The solution for this problem is surprisingly simple: you will need some white vinegar. White vinegar has a lot of uses and it can be used to whiten things like your laundry, dishwasher, and even your hair. But for now we’ll focus on how to fix sun-faded curtains. Pour the vinegar into a bowl or container that is deep enough to completely submerge the curtain. Let the curtain soak in the vinegar for about an hour or two (or more if it’s really bad). After soaking for a while, rinse off the curtains with water and let them dry outside (in direct sunlight) or near a window–preferably away from any trees or plants that might attract bugs. It may take a few tries before the color returns to your curtains, but eventually they’ll look like new again!
Materials for Fixing the Curtain
-Sun-faded curtain
-Laundry detergent
-Water
-Baking soda
-Dish soap
-Cling film
First, wash the curtains in your washing machine with a cup of laundry detergent and water. Once they’ve been washed, add a cup of baking soda and dish soap to the water in the machine. Wash them again to remove any stains or fabric softener residue. Dry the curtains in the dryer on high heat for about 15 minutes. Next, place cling wrap over one side of the curtain and iron it in place to cover the entire surface area of that side. Be careful not to move or touch any other part of the curtain while you’re ironing in order to keep it taut on one side–this will help you create an even hem on both sides of the curtain. Iron down all four sides until you reach the desired length. This should be done very carefully so as not to burn or damage any parts of your curtain! Finally, cut off excess fabric on both sides of your newly hemmed curtains with scissors. Voila, you repaired your sun-faded curtains!
What You’ll Need To Do First
The first thing you’ll need to do is measure the length and width of your curtains. Next, you’ll create a fabric cover for the curtain rod by cutting out a piece of fabric that is equal in dimension to the curtain rod. You can use a fabric store or purchase two yards of fabric from a home improvement store.
Next, cut slits in the front and back of this piece so it can be slid onto the curtain rod. Once this is done, hand sew a hem at the top and bottom with a sewing machine to secure it onto the curtain rod.
Finally, you will attach your new curtains to your existing curtain rod with regular pins or sewing darts that have been sewn into the hems on either side of the curtains. It
How to Remove the Old Fabric
The first thing you’ll need to do is remove the old fabric. Start by cutting along the hem with a pair of scissors. When you reach the end, cut off the dangling thread and then unpick the stitches that hold it in place. You can then pull it away from the curtain rod and remove as much as possible from the rod.
If there are some stubborn pieces of fabric on the rod, use a soft bristle brush to loosen them before removing them from the rod. Be sure to use a gentle hand so as not to break any of those old tassels!
Sewing the New Fabric On
After you’ve cut out your new fabric, it’s time to sew it on the old curtain. Start by laying your old fabric flat and then lay the new fabric down right on top of it. Pin the two layers together and then carefully sew around the edges.
If you have a sewing machine, this is a great project for you because you can use a zigzag stitch or a straight stitch to sew up all of the edges. If you don’t have a sewing machine, use a regular needle and white thread to hand-sew the fabrics together. By doing this, you will create an invisible seam that won’t be noticeable from far away.
After sewing around all of the edges, fold up one side of the curtain and then pin the seams in place before folding over to cover them with pins again. Repeat this process for all four sides of your curtain until everything is pinned in place with threads in between each layer. You can now remove any pins from underneath so they are only holding things together on top where people can’t see them! Now you’re ready to start stitching in earnest!
Finishing Touches.
1. Clean the curtains thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust, or body oils.
2. Use a ruler and pencil to measure the curtain liner.
3. Cut an inch of extra fabric for each side of the curtain, making sure the liners are not too long or too short at either end.
4. Fold one side of the liner in half with wrong sides together, then fold it again so that the hem is facing outwards. Take up some slack by gathering it in your hand, then sew up this end using a straight stitch–being careful not to sew through the fabric further than three quarters of an inch from where you started sewing (this will be important when attaching them to the hem).
5. Sew up both ends using a straight stitch and then turn them right-side out and iron flat (make sure they’re still inside out).
6. Lay one end of the curtain down with wrong side facing up and place one folded liner on top of it with hem pointing downwards; line up edge of liner with edge of curtain and pin in place (don’t forget to leave about 3” free at one end for later use). Repeat this process on the other end as well (it should now look like your curtains have two wide sleeves).
What is colour bleeding?
Colour bleeding is what happens when fabric has been dyed or printed, but the color hasn’t taken on the fabric. If you have white curtains that are sun-faded, then this could be what’s happening. The sun shining through your curtains is probably bleaching the color out of them–leaving them with a faded white or yellow hue.
The good news is, there are two ways to fix this problem. You can either dye your curtains to get rid of any last bits of yellow or you can use bleach to get rid of the yellow altogether. Which one you choose will depend on how bad the colour-bleeding issue is on your curtains.
FAQS
What are the benefits of fixing sun-faded curtains?
Some people may think that it’s not worth the effort to fix a curtain that is already old. If you can’t spend money on new curtains, you may want to consider repairing instead. Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also be able to enjoy your old curtains for a little longer.
Where can I find inexpensive supplies for fixing my curtains?
There are many stores in your area with inexpensive supplies for this project. You can also try using craft stores and home improvement stores for materials to fix your curtains with.
How do I know if my sun-faded curtains are salvageable?
It all depends on how much sun damage they have. If they don’t have any tears or holes, then they may be salvageable. It might take a few hours of work, but it will be worth it in the end!
There are many stores in your area with inexpensive supplies for this project. You can also try using craft stores and home improvement stores for materials to fix your curtains with.
Conclusion
The sun can be brutal on fabrics, especially your curtains. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to fix it. First you have to identify whether or not your curtains are sun-faded. This is done by looking at the fabric closely and checking for discolouration. If they’re sun-faded, then they’re likely to have a yellowish hue, or even a pinkish hue.
Next you need to whip up some new curtains.
To fix the damaged part of the curtain, you’ll need to remove the old fabric with a tailor’s shears or a sharp knife. Sew new fabric onto the existing hem, and finish off with a row of sewing along the top of the curtain. You can also use decorative stitches or patches to cover up the old fabric.
