I've been using the trash bag method for my creepy curtain for years and figured this Halloween would be no different. Spent 3 hours prepping panels, starting the clothesline & threading the first panel on. Within minutes the wind had whipped the strands into intricate, knotted braids and they were caught up in the roof shingles & gutter. So much for that.
Time for a new plan: burlap! It's rather inexpensive if you buy it from the home improvement or garden store, around $12 with tax for a 3'x24' roll. As with the trash bag method, plastic clothesline works great for this and also won't break the bank.
Tie of one end of the clothesline to an eye hook and then begin threading the other end along the long end of the burlap, weaving it in and out every 4"6" and about 1.5" - 2" from the edge. Working in 3' sections, slide the the fabric all the way to the start and anchor in place with a piece of electrical tape. Each section should then be "anchored so the weight of the burlap doesn't cause the line to sag too much. Eye hooks are great for this but I was able to thread the line through the gaps in the boards of the eaves. Repeat this process until you've covered the desired area and tie the clothesline off to another eye hook and tape the burlap to the line.
Starting at either end, use sharp scissors (I used my fabric scissors) and cut strips upwards towards the line, stopping with around 3"- 4" to spare. The strips can be assorted sizes, I varied between 3"-8" so it wouldn't look too perfect. After cutting a few strips, use your fingers to poke, pull and stretch imperfections into the burlap. You can fray the edges as well but bear in mind if this is up all month long, the burlap will naturally start to fray so anything you do to it will get exaggerated. You don't want to wind up with burlap threads all over the yard and little hanging from the eaves.
And there you go! It was fun to watch it evolve over the month, getting creepier with each rain. They weren't impervious to wind - I had to use a stick every day or so to unhook strips that had blown up onto the roof or were tangled in the gutters. But that also made them look ever better with time - the rain gutter goop was so icky and fabulous!
The burlap can be dyed as well if you'd rather have a different color. Dark greens and black both look great.
No comments:
Post a Comment