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Monday, November 16, 2009

Crafty Curtain Project - Tutorial

Once again, I am using the term "tutorial" in the loosest sense of the word.  I have always wanted to learn how to sew, but since I neither know how nor own a machine ... I usually end up "fake" sewing ... with some mixed results.  These results just happen to be pretty fakin' fabulous!

Let me be clear that I have very limited knowledge, minimal skill, and very few tools.  I am sure there is a better, easier way to do what I did ...

Is that enough of a disclaimer?!  Let's get to the photos ...



1. The ingredients ...  

  • I bought cheap tab-top curtains from Target for less than $15.  I chose them for color and thickness ... because I want my girls to sleep past sunrise ... but hey, that's just me.  
  • I also choose four colors of 7/8" ribbon that coordinated with the bedding ... and feel girlie without being too juvenile.  I love this ribbon because both edges are trimmed with white stitches ... adding to the illusion that I actually learned how to sew ;)
  • Because I really do NOT sew, I also had to buy a package of straight pins.
  • I had the scissors, iron, ironing board (neither of which have been used in a very long time) and CPV's big, manly tape measure on hand.
  • I've also discovered that a bottle of "no-fray" would be a nice addition to this list.
  • Lastly, the secret behind this project, Heat-n-Bond Lite - Sewable Iron-on Adhesive.  According to the lady at Michael's the "sewable" variety includes a strip of paper on the adhesive.  This was important because I wanted to be able to iron on the adhesive and then add the ribbon on top.  I did NOT want to try to line it all up ... because I am just not that talented.
2. Getting all my ducks ribbon in a row ...
  • No craft room for me, people.  No special sewing table.  Just a round dining room table and the hardwood floors.  I opted for the floor because I could semi-use the lines of the boards to help get the ribbon straight ... how lame is that?!
  • Once I "eye-balled" it, I placed a few preliminary pins and then did some measuring.  My tolerances where fairly high because I knew the curtains would never be laying flat on a floor ... they be hanging ... besides, I just don't need the stress.  So I got close and felt good about that :)
  • I then spread out the second curtain alongside the first and repeated the process ... hoping to get the two to match up ... at least a little.
3. It's Getting Hot in Here ... 
Seriously, after all those floor exercises, I was starting to sweat ... add to that the heat of the iron ... and the thought of actually attaching those ribbons to the curtains ... phew!  Hot, I tell ya!
  • To help get these buggers - all 42 inches - straight, I decided to do HALF of each length of ribbon at a time.  And I must say, I think this was a good decision.  It really helped to be able to adjust a little along the way. 
  • For each ribbon, I released a pin, folded the ribbon back, cut a strip of the adhesive to the "right" size.
  • Once I had all four strips laid out, I ran the iron over them for a few seconds.  The adhesive stuck to the curtains, and the paper was peeled off ... exposing the other sticky side.
  • The ribbon was unfolded, positioned, and then ironed into place. Hope that makes sense ... 

4.  Tuck it in the back ... 
  • To secure the ribbon ends to the back of the curtain, I originally busted out the hot glue gun.  Things were going so well, I got just a tiny bit cocky ... big mistake.  
  • I soon realized that the adhesive tape would work much better.  I just did the same process - in miniature and wrapped the ribbon ends around the back.  Easy ... and much less messy than that stupid hot glue gun!

5. The finished product ... 





11 comments:

Unknown said...

Thats so cute!

Laura said...

Okay now I have to send you a picture of my daughters curtains. I couldn't find any to match her bedding so I went to Joanna's and thought I could hand sew them (I to wish I could sew but have no machine). Not only was it taking forever but it looked bad, it was all bumpy. I remembered I had the iron on hem strip from a pair of pants I had to fix and tah da curtains. I think we are pretty smart with our clever way of getting around sewing lol. I love the ribbon, I would have never thought of that. They look great. The whole room does.

Sabrina said...

Great work! I'm also a non-sew gal and this looks fabulous!

Nicole said...

Those are beautiful and so clever! With my mom's help I sewed Charlotte's crib bumpers and crib skirt, and I've had the fabric to make the curtains too since before she was born, but have never gotten around to actually doing it. Probably because I know they would be uneven and take hours, which I don't have these days or if I do I would rather spend relaxing in front of the TV than a sewing machine. Now I'm thinking she will be moving soon to a toddler bed and we will be changing the decor, so why bother making them now. I love your idea and will keep it in mind when I redo her room. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Very cute and I am not a crafty person, but I could handle that.

Terri said...

Very impressive. Super cute!

Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking said...

What a charming idea... very cute!

Sherri said...

I don't sew either. Wish I knew how! I think they turned out AWESOME! Love the colors.

Jessica {Team Rasler} said...

I was totally sitting in Sebastian's room today eyeing his windows and pondering whether I could make cool curtains like Natalie's... now that I've read your tutorial the answer is a resounding... maybe! ;-) Thanks for the idea.

BJ_Mama said...

I'm like a proud MAMA! Not that I had anything to do with your curtains...just proud of you! They look AWESOME!

Jessica said...

I'm so proud of you! Anything that even remotely involves sewing goes straight to Grandma's house - where she has a sewing room and bookshelves over flowing with fabric.

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