I detest shopping for curtains. I can never find what I am looking for. Finally I find something I love but it's always so expensive. I could live off ramen and pb&j for 2 weeks just so I could buy living room curtains, but I think my husband and children would feel differently. The very best way to get exactly what you want without spending a fortune is to make your own. You don't have to sew a single stitch. If you know how to use scissors, and a ruler you can make these curtains. To be honest you can go as highfalutin or as lowfalutin as you want. (If you don't know what those terms mean consult your Southern to Yankee translation dictionary.) Fabric stores are wonderful magical places, but sometimes a little pricey. If you are really decorating on a budget vintage fabrics are a must. Look for lovingly used tablecloths or bed linens. If there are a few unsightly spots just cut them away. Speaking of bedding I just had a wonderful idea, chenille! Wouldn't window dressings made out of a vintage chenille bedspread be adorable for a nursery? So get creative and get busy!
Materials Needed: Fabric, fabric glue, scissors, tape measure (really ladies get your own dang tape measure) ring clips, curtain rod (I know that one seems obvious but you just never know) and turn your iron on. Wrinkled curtains are just tacky.
1) Measure from the point you are going to hang the curtain rod to the bottom of the floor and also measure the width of the window starting about 6 inches outside of the window frame. Now hang that curtain rod up high. The higher it's hung the taller the room feels which makes the room feel bigger. The bottom of the curtain should just brush the floor. You don't want your window looking like it's wearing high waters.
2) Now that you've got your measurements go pick out your fabrics. Be sure to buy a extra yardage just to be on the safe side.
3) Gather all the materials in one spot. Make sure you have everything. You don't want to be in the middle of all of this ready to cut your fabric only to realize you don't have your scissors, and you have to spend 30 minutes looking for them.
4)For the top hem of fabric: lay the fabric on the table backside facing up. Fold the top over about 3 inches. Put a little dot of glue at the point where you measured just to be sure every thing stays put. Measure again to be positive you will have a straight looking hem and glue glue glue. Allow the glue to dry and attach the rings, hang curtain.
5) For the bottom hem of fabric: take a few steps back and look how the curtain hits the floor. Remember the fabric should just kiss the floor. We don't want heaps of material piling up and we don't want the window looking like it's too tall for last school year's jeans. Using a pencil (for the love of all things good and Holy do not use a permanent marker) on the inside where nobody will ever see it mark where the fabric will hit the floor. Take down curtain, lay on table (the curtain not you) measure measure measure, glue glue glue. Trim away excess material.
6) Don't be tacky iron those curtains. Hang 'em up!
7) Step back and admire your handy work. Take a picture and send it to me so I can see too.
Materials Needed: Fabric, fabric glue, scissors, tape measure (really ladies get your own dang tape measure) ring clips, curtain rod (I know that one seems obvious but you just never know) and turn your iron on. Wrinkled curtains are just tacky.
1) Measure from the point you are going to hang the curtain rod to the bottom of the floor and also measure the width of the window starting about 6 inches outside of the window frame. Now hang that curtain rod up high. The higher it's hung the taller the room feels which makes the room feel bigger. The bottom of the curtain should just brush the floor. You don't want your window looking like it's wearing high waters.
2) Now that you've got your measurements go pick out your fabrics. Be sure to buy a extra yardage just to be on the safe side.
3) Gather all the materials in one spot. Make sure you have everything. You don't want to be in the middle of all of this ready to cut your fabric only to realize you don't have your scissors, and you have to spend 30 minutes looking for them.
4)For the top hem of fabric: lay the fabric on the table backside facing up. Fold the top over about 3 inches. Put a little dot of glue at the point where you measured just to be sure every thing stays put. Measure again to be positive you will have a straight looking hem and glue glue glue. Allow the glue to dry and attach the rings, hang curtain.
5) For the bottom hem of fabric: take a few steps back and look how the curtain hits the floor. Remember the fabric should just kiss the floor. We don't want heaps of material piling up and we don't want the window looking like it's too tall for last school year's jeans. Using a pencil (for the love of all things good and Holy do not use a permanent marker) on the inside where nobody will ever see it mark where the fabric will hit the floor. Take down curtain, lay on table (the curtain not you) measure measure measure, glue glue glue. Trim away excess material.
6) Don't be tacky iron those curtains. Hang 'em up!
7) Step back and admire your handy work. Take a picture and send it to me so I can see too.
Oh my! You are bringing back memories! Sheets come in so many colors and prints and all you have to do is hang them! If they're too long, find a pretty ribbon or length of lace and tie them back, draping them so they appear to be the proper length. I've used them many times. Also, lacy material from the discounted bolts works great. I once found some beautiful material for only $2 a yard. It was made to be used for curtains. My husband made some wooden curtain rods and I simply threaded the material on using the holes already made into the fabric. They were beautiful and lasted many years. Imagination is all it takes!
ReplyDeleteHaha you kill me. Love reading your blog!
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