How to Repair the Backing on Acrylic Blockout Curtains

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Things You'll Need

  • Acrylic blockout/blackout fabric

  • Needle

  • Thread

  • Thimble

  • Scissors

Blockout curtains are excellent at keeping out bright light, as well as cold and noise.

Acrylic blockout curtains are backed with a poly-cotton blend fabric that is coated with acrylic foam. Sections of this blockout or blackout material can be purchased by the yard at a fabric store. If the backing simply has a tear or a small piece has ripped off, you can patch the acrylic foam fabric by cutting an appropriately sized piece and sewing it onto the hidden back side of the curtain.

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Step 1

Lay the curtain that you need to repair out on a flat work surface where you can examine the backing thoroughly. Find all of the spots that need to be repaired.

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Step 2

If there are any tears in the backing that can have the edges sewn together, do that now so the surface will be flat and uniform before a patch is applied. When sewing these edges together, do not allow the thread to go through the front fabric of the curtain.

Step 3

Cut the patching fabric into appropriately sized pieces for covering each tear or hole in the curtain backing. Cover the damage, especially any holes where light can shine through, with a fabric patch.

Step 4

Sew the patches on by hand, using the thimble to press the needle through the two layers of blackout fabric if they are especially thick. Do not pierce through the front of the curtain while sewing.

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Step 5

Hold the finished curtain up to the light to make sure that the new patches block out light. If you notice any light coming through the curtain, repair that spot again with a new, possibly larger, patch.

Tip

It is best to hand sew the patches on, rather than using a sewing machine, because you do not want the thread to go through the front of the curtain.

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