I’ve told y’all before, I’m not a professional seamstress! Pretty much the only things I’ve made with my sewing machine are pillows and curtains. I like to figure things out on my own. I do not like to read directions, I do not like to follow patterns, I just don’t have the patience for them. I am the kind of person that just has to try, possibly fail, and try again to figure things out on my own. So my sewing, it’s probably not the “right” way, but I do it
my way and it works. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? I had several inquiries asking how I made the drapes for Parker Reese’s
nursery. I didn’t have a blog when I made those so I had no reason to photograph the process. However, I did make the new drapes for my new dining room {which, by the way, is just about finished}! So, if you dare continue, here is how
I sew drapes.
For me, the hardest part of this process is measuring and cutting the fabric. Seriously, I started to think maybe there was something wrong with my brain. It took me forever! I had to measure, and re-measure. Ugh! Basically, you want to measure your window and decide how long you want your drapes. I wanted to hang these high above the window and I wanted them to gather on the floor. {total length: 92 inches, width: 30 inches}
After cutting four equal pieces of fabric, I folded and pinned about one inch on each side of the fabric.
I do not iron my fold, I just secure with pins. The total width of the curtains after sewing was 28 inches. I do not add liner to my drapes. It’s an extra step that I don’t feel is necessary. I don’t use them to cover the windows, just to decorate. Plus, this fabric is thick enough that the light won’t shine through it and they won’t fade.
I used a sewing machine to stitch the sides of the panels. After the sides were sewn, I folded, pinned and stitched the top {2 inches} and and bottom {1 inch} to make a length of 89 inches.
My original rods were in good condition and I really didn’t want to spend the money for new ones but I wanted them to be a little longer. So my genius hubby came up with a solution. He is really good at rigging things like this. He cut an old flag pole we had in the garage {which happened to be the exact thickness of the rod} and used a double-ended screw to fasten it to the existing rod. One problem – the color of the pieces didn’t match.
Two coats of my favorite spray paint, Krylon brushed nickel, and they were good as new. And I found drapery rings {Wal-mart for $6/pack} in the same color! Score!
Initially I wanted to sew pleats in the top of the panels, but I was afraid I would mess them up so I decided against it. Instead I created pleats by folding the fabric and securing with the drapery clips.
Yes, that is a chip clip helping to pleat my drapes! After I “pleated” and hung the drapes, I continued the folds down the fabric {securing with a chip clip} and I then used my steamer to press them.
Before:
After:
I am in love! I was a little worried that this fabric wouldn’t fit with the decor of the rest of my house, but I absolutely love it now that the drapes are up. LOVE it! I hope to give you the dining room reveal next week!
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Jen, I love it! This is giving me the inspiration to redo mine (which look SO much like your old ones!)
They are gorgeous! I am glad to hear I'm not the only one who makes what I refer to as "window mistreatments". I don't line mine either, and I also find it very difficult to measure large pieces of fabric. Do you have one of those rotary cutters? That helps too. I also changed my color scheme from red to blues/browns/greens recently. Love your drapes!!!
I love the fabric. I bought material years ago to make curtains for my bedroom but I never followed through with it.
Hi Jen! I hopped over to your site from a link party and think you have such an amazing eye for photography and design. These drapes are lovely (for the record, I'm a just-go-with-it sewer myself and wouldn't want it any other way!) and I like how you created the pleat effect using the clips (genius!).
Keep up the good [blogging] work!
Warmly,
Stephanie from <a href="http://www.stephaniehillberry.com>Deviantly Domesticated</a>
PS sorry my html was goofed above! forgot my quotes! (I hate it when that happens!)
Love the fabric. Very pretty!
Incredible!!!!…On so many levels!! Kudos on an amazing job.
M.L.
Beautiful job! Can you share where I can find that fabric? I love it!!!
Jennifer
lewisgrade5@yahoo.com
I'm with you on the sewing. The sewing itself is easy and take no time, it's the other stuff leading up to it that I get impatient with. Great job!
Your curtains are great! I love the pattern of the fabric!
Beautiful transformation! LOVE the refreshed look and GREAT pattern on your fabric selection! You rocked it! xo
Gorgeous drapes… the whole room is beautiful!
I like the color you painted the rod and I love the fabric of your drapes. I also liked the color of the wall….wow I liked it all didn't I. Trish
The curtains look great, you did a wonderful job! Love the pattern and colour of the fabric.
Jen,
those look absolutely beautiful. great work, and i actually like the look of the drapery clip! well done.
Is that hobby lobby fabric? I love it!
Awesome picks! West furniture is on of my favs too! She is SUPER nice!
Thanks for sharing!
Jenni
kissedbyafrog.blogspot.com
Wow! I really *adore* those drapes! That fabric is just fabulous…and looks so awesome with the wall colour! Beautiful job & vision girl! Angie xo
Great job on the drapes–just the inspiration I need to take on some in my daughter's room! Love the fabric too.
Those are beautiful! And the extension of the rod was brilliant. What are the chances? I loved reading about your process.
That fabric is great. I love the pattern. I get the same way about measuring. I can't tell you how many times I've cut things too short trying to rush through it!
I am so glad I found you! I have pillows in the sam efabric and was wondering how they would look in drapes for my mom's home. Now, I know! I just saw the fabric the other day at Hobby Lobby so now I need to go back and purchase it! They look great!
LOVE this. You and I sew the same way!
They look great! I love the fabric. I hope it's from Hobby Lobby, because I plan to buy it.
Ooh! Gorgeous, Jen. Thanks for linking with Air Your Laundry Friday! xo Jami
I absolutely LOVE that print! I need to redo the drapes in my dinig room but my husband (for some reason unknown to me) LOVES the one we have currently. He doesnt offer an opion much, but when he does… I guess I have to stick with it!
Jess
http://www.rebelchildjess.blogspot.com
Jen, your drapes came out beautifully! You have terrific style and a natural talent that really make you shine!
I love how your husband thinks! I would have never had thought to used a double ended screw though! They make those? Obviously! Great tutorial!
Thanks so much for explaining this so clearly that even a beginner like me can understand. I think I'll make these for our bedroom.
I pinned this
I am visiting via the CSI. I absolutely adore your sewing project.
I have a few sewing projects on my blog this week you might enjoy.
Come by and take a peek and happy Thursday!
Where did you get the fabric!? I fell in love with a chair covered in it months ago and “NEED” it to cover my headboard
Love your panels!