net curtains with pictures

[cantchoose]

Hi all, this is my first foray into this forum so I am hoping that you can help me.

I am after some new net curtains (I know this horrifies some people but there you go, just look away if it worries you, ok?) only I don't want just ordinary ones I want ones with pictures.

I like things that are a bit different and my last nets had coloured flowers but I can't find anything to replace them.

In a hotel I stayed in last year they had elephants on their nets, they were fantastic. I don't necessarily want elephants you understand, but you get the picture - unfortunately, I can't :o)

Does anyone know where I can buy such things?

Thanks x

[InkyCat]

Hi, not sure whether you after actual net curtains or voile panels ?

If it's the latter, there's quite a few on the following websites: -
www.greatuniversal.com
www.curtains-2go.co.uk/voiles

Or shops:-
Wilkinsons (pre-packed voile panels)
Dunelm Mill (has fabric to make net curtain & voile panels)

Hope this helps, sorry my links don't link, never been my strong point !!!

[rabbitygirl]

cantchoose - I'm like you - wanting something a bit different. I often alter or customise something for the look I want. About 20 years ago I wanted nets with coloured flowers on. Couldn't find any so bought white nets with self coloured roses. Bought some dye for hand painting and hand painted them. Every one. Not for the impatient. I hung them over colour coordinated venetian blinds. They looked great. I had loads of compliments for this unusual look and one friend said when I was fed up with them she would buy them off me.

They wore extremely well and only got thrown when we revamped the house for sale.

I also couldn't buy a roller blind with the pattern I wanted. So I bought a plain one, made a template and painted leaves on it.

[cantchoose]

Hi you two, thanks for taking the time to answer.

Its really nets that I am looking for but thanks for the info about the voile, inkycat, I think I am going to have to give in and buy that in the end anyway :o). I will have a look at the sites you gave me, I never thought about Wilkinsons.

My coloured flowers faded in the end and I was tempted to do what you did, rabbitygirl, but I'm full of 'great ideas' that I never quite get round too...........don't suppose I could tempt you to do my painting for me, lol.

One thing that did sort of put me off was the thought of the paint going through the holes when I dabbed it on the curtain - what did you do?

Thanks again, x

[rabbitygirl]

Well, you are right cantchoose. Lots of holes in nets obviously so you need a large area to paint and wait for each area to dry thoroughly - no moving or you get dye where you dont want it. I had a table covered in plastic and then several layers of old, flat, fabric - anything with high absorbancy. That's why it's not for the impatient. Taking your time and not moving the net until it is completely dry is the secret.

I was rewarded with something unique and quite stunning.

If you are going to throw your curtains you could try repainting them anyway. Sorry cant do it for you. Also like you I have things around that are waiting for me.....

[rabbitygirl]

Just to explain a bit more, my curtains had a self coloured pattern of roses on them which I 'coloured in'. Creating a picture on plain nets would not have enough definition, even after painting, to achieve a good result.

[PatriciaH]

Usually found on markets, and e bay : )

[cantchoose]

Thanks patricia, I've had a quick look on ebay but I'll give markets a go too.

Rabbitygirl, you certainly put me to shame, all those brilliant ideas and you actually do them - wish I could get mine out of my head and into my hands :o)

There is still traces of colour on the curtains I have up so that side of it wouldn't be too difficult. Finding enough room in the house so that I could do a project that big that didn't have to be moved might though. I'll have to give it some thought. At the moment hubby has commandeered the box room for this radio control modelling but he is going to get a shed/workshop and I will get the room for my craft work so just maybe.......

I found myself lying awake last night wondering how difficult it would be to 'cross-stitch' on plain nets - how desperate is that?

Thanks again all, have a great day x

[Tewart]

You may be interested to know that the French are very big net curtain fans and consequently they have a huge range of these with every pattern on them you could imagine. When visiting France I have seen some very interesting patterns in most people's windows. I don't know whether you could log onto a French website, or perhaps take advantage of a cheap day trip via the Ferry or Eurotunnel (don't know where you live) to purchase them personally.

[daniel123]

Hi

I have found a great online retailer of curtains, the site is http://www.choosecurtains.com. If you are unsue they will also send u samples.

Hope this helps

Dan

[cantchoose]

Hi Dan, thanks for finding that website for me. For some reason I can't get the link to work but I'm going to have another go in a minute typing it in.

Thanks again, much appreciated x

[pinkchina]

Hi
Did you get an answer to your question from anyone. I too like these kind of net curtains. I went to a car boot sale last Sunday, and bought the most beautiful one I have ever seen in my life, lady said she bought it in France. It is all embroidered, and is made up of a lot of hanging baskets, with flowers in all colours cascading over the edges, it is really beaufiful. I have been looking on the internet to see if I can find any more like it, but with no luck so far.
If you would like me to email you a photo of it, I will if you want to give me your direct email
kind regards
Bev

[daaaaave]

I've found a great site for curtains - http://www.leylandcurtaincentre.com

They stock loads of different types of curtains and will alter any type to fit your spec for free :-)