Creating Horizontal Striped Curtains

In my last post I mentioned that I scored a beautiful, brand new, sky colored Target curtain panel @ Goodwill for $2.99. (Target’s price? $19.99 a panel. And they’re still in stores now!)

Immediately I knew the curtain could go in our home office, and I had no problem cutting it in half right up the middle to make two panels out of one. I didn’t plan on actually closing the curtains – just dressing up the window a bit – so “dummy” curtains (ones that aren’t wide) worked great in this space.

The real mystery was making them longer. These only hung as long as the window ledge, and I like curtains that barely puddle on the floor.

And then my Free Stylin’ brain started turning…I own sand colored curtains – they were in my living room in Florida:

What if I cut both curtain panels into wide stripes to make horizontal striped curtains? (A little like The Nester’s or Courtney @ A Thoughtful Place.)

I know, I know. There would be sewing involved. And if you know me even a little, you know I’m not very good at sewing. (I blame it on my sewing machine. It’s certifiably psycho.) BUT!!! No need to fear – my in-laws were coming to town, and my mother-in-law is a crazy good quilter and seamstress. And she’s always up for a fun project.

(Check out these cool projects she made for my cute little J’s room here.) So one afternoon we set out to Edward Scissorhands my curtains for the greater good…super cute horizontal panels.

We decided the stripes should be 10 inches wide, so at every 10 1/2 inches, MIL made a small cut.

She then pulled out a the thread of fabric at the cut,

making a straight line to use as a guide.

We got to work cutting, and pretty soon

we had plenty of beige and blue stripes.

Once the stripes were cut, MIL sewed the two pieces of fabric together. (And, for the record, even SHE thought my machine was a little tempermental. Good - I feel validated!)

Here’s the panel before the edges were hemmed and before I ironed:

The last panel is 18 inches – just to keep things interesting.

And, the finished product!

The panels are hung with upholstery tacks I had on hand. I think I found them at Wal-mart for about a dollar or two.

A few more pics:

I love the softness and bit of sophistication that they bring to the room. The masculine horizontal stripes keep the office from being too girly for The Hubs, but the silk-like fabric reminds him I use the space, too.

And, the price is right! Only $3 for these custom curtain panels.

A special thanks to my MIL who is always willing to try some of the crazy projects I come up with. It was a really fun afternoon spending time together and creating special touches for this home. I wish you lived closer!!

I’m linking up to Sarah! before and after party

and Allison!

and Michelle!

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Comments

Debi says:

April 28, 2011 at 11:26 pm

I love the color and they are very hip! Nice thrifting!

Bee says:

April 29, 2011 at 12:51 am

Those look great! I am about to paint some plain white curtains with vertical stripes so your's are inspiring me!:)

deangraziosi says:

April 29, 2011 at 5:35 am

Thanks for sharing lovely tips about making different curtain design. So simple but look so good.
dean graziosi

Lindsay says:

May 5, 2011 at 7:13 pm

I LOVE these! You did a fabulous job! I am doing something similar, just wish I would have seen this sooner, would have saved me A LOT of money!

Ps–love your blog, lots of great ideas! Thanks for stopping by my blog, by the way.

Danielle Benson says:

March 23, 2012 at 6:36 pm

I must try this. You make it look so easy.