Advice: Fabric paint for drapes?

[Chickenmaven]

Hi all! I have a boat that has "drapes" - not exactly. It has snap on panels instead of drapes & they are made of pleated drapery fabric, not canvas. They are dingey, faded and bad looking. I do not have the skill to sew new panels and put snaps on them. It would cost about $200 to have them replaced by a boat company. My idea was to spruce them up with fabric paint. They are stiff anyway...

So, I am asking you Handy Experts: Should I try to wash these panels? I am hesitant to do so. I thought I would just vaccum as much dust out of them as I can & paint away. Any thoughts on this project will be much appreciated.

 

[horsejody]

I wouldn't fabric paint them. I would possibly use fusible iron on for decorative appliques. Whatever you use, they must be clean for the paint or applique to stick long term. If they are pleated, it may be difficult to iron the pleats back in after washing. Making new drapes wouldn't be hard or expensive. They don't need to be snap on. Could you install top and bottom rods so that new ones could be made and hung that way?