Frugal Fridays: Curtains
This week, I compiled some ideas emailed to me by readers on making curtains inexpensively. Thanks for all the input and pictures. I wasn't able to fit them all on this post, but thank you so much for all the great ideas and input. Feel free to share more in the comments section, post pictures/patterns of your homemade curtains on your blog and leave your link below, or send me pictures/patterns and I'll post them if I have room in a later post. However, do not feel you can only post about curtains for Frugal Friday this week - any topic or tip on frugality is welcome!
My sister and I made some for our room last year and they turned out really cute! They're super easy! I mean if you can stitch a straight line and don't want to cut out anything, it's for you, if you like them I mean!
Directions
Just use regular 45" wide material. You want to get 1 1/2 - 2 times as much as your window width. (I used 1 1/2 yards for those 36" windows, I may have bought more if I'd thought about it, but I've been very pleased with them so they didn't need to be more gathered.) Take material and fold right sides together. Stitch a seam around the open edges (not on the fold), leaving an opening on one of the shorter sides to turn. Turn out, making sure you get the corners out, and then iron. Hand stitch the opening you left for turning. Stitch top edge 2" from top edge and then again 1 1/2" below first stitching. (the 2" is for the ruffle at top) Open up (with ripper) the section on either side between the two stitchings so the rod can go through.
Ties
Cut the tie pieces 3" wide x 22.5" long - Just cut 3" strips of material and then cut across the fold. (because 22.5 x 2 = 45"!) Cut as many of these as you need (a set of two pieces for 1 tie). Put two right sides together, and stitch all except one short edge (normal 5/8" seam unless you want to do different). Turn the ties out and press them. The finished edge goes on top of curtains; while the unfinished end gets stitched in top seam on back.
Bows
3" wide x 40" long and then cut the ends at slants (aka angles :-). Again, put two together (right sides together) and stitch along edges, leaving an opening to turn. Handstitch opening closed once you turn them out.
Assembly
You will want one bow for each tie you have. The number of ties will depend on how big the window, and also how you want it to look, more bloomy or less, more swags or less. You figure out where you want the ties, and then you machine stitch the raw edge of the ties underneath the window treatment along the original stitching (lower row). Then you pull it around to the front and securely handstitch the other end down. Tie the bow pieces into bows, and then attach down by handstitching. (I was going to try to get away the easy way and use a snap to do the bows, but guess what!! The bows sagged! So it may take a little time now but it is WELL worth it!) Then you put the curtain on the curtain rod, hang it and adjust the swags! They are really cute, and can be made to fit any decor. -Ruth Ann
Ideas for converting sheets into curtains:
In our first apartment, I made the curtains for our windows. The easiest way is to find a flat bed sheet in a color or pattern that you like and just cut to the length you need (allowing for a small hem on the bottom). I used the top wide seam of the sheet to put the curtain rod through it for hanging- I think I may have added a line of stitching about 1 1/2 inches from the top to make a "header" to stick up above the rod. You can use some of the extra sheet material to make
a simple tie back, or find some inexpensive ribbon and do the same thing. -Joyce
When you go to buy fabric it can cause the same shock as ready made curtains because the rule is 2-4 times the width of the window. I buy sheets whenever I can find the color I like. A king sheet will go along ways especially if it's making a valance (several). Sometimes you can buy a fancy rod and then re-hem the sheet and wrap it around the rod. I go to the catalog and find the look I want. -Jeanne
I used flat bedsheets on sale to make long curtains with an overhanging valence, or cafe curtains. I sew it in such a way that the decorative edge becomes the upper or lower edge of the curtains. It's easy to sew a casing on one side to slide on to the rod. Another idea is to buy a
decorative rod and drape inexpensive cloth on it...no sewing needed! Indian sari material would be great, or clearance drapes (sheer) or decorator fabric on sale at a fabric store. -Vicki
Another great frugal decorating link a reader sent: Frugal Homemaker
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To join in Frugal Friday, just post a frugal tip or post on any subject of frugality on your blog, link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Frugal Friday post below. Any link or post which does not adhere to these rules will be deleted at my discretion. If you do not have a blog, but have a tip to share, please post your tip in the comments section. And, remember the rules: Must be family-friendly. Thanks! I can't wait to read your tips!
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:43 PM
3 Comments:
I just bought the fabric-type shower curtain covers to put up in my large-windowed sunroom. Worked great, was MUCH cheaper and I didn't have to fret over sewing decorator's fabric and ruining it. (I am still a beginner)
I'm still a beginner too, its fun to know that at any level any one of us can add, charm and beauty to ones house! Thank you for letting me be a part of Frugal Fridays! LOVE IT!
I love looking at all the different curtains that you can make in so little time. Great job!
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