Thursday

No-Sew Window Treatments (Tutorial)

The guest room that doubles as the play room is a decorating conundrum (don'tcha love that word?).  On a typical day (as in: no guests are coming) if you can manage to walk through without the pain of stepping on a Lego, then you WIN.  I wanted to update the window treatments for the room, but let's face it - it's the home to toys for three boys - no designer fabrics required.  So here's what I did:

I started with a 12" x 15" canvas drop cloth.  The package said that the actual measurements were 11" 9" x 14" 9" (hmmmm?)  Anyway, I washed, dried and ironed it and then remeasured to find their exact size.



Based on my window measurements, I wanted the canvas to hang 94", not including the rod and rings.  I cut it at 95" to allow a 1" seam (the drop cloth was hemmed all the way around, so that was one less hem I had to do on the top or bottom of each).  I decided on 3 curtains as the room has 2 windows side by side.

In the photo below the "bottom" of the curtain has already been cut to 95".  You can see I took the measurements of the entire width and divided the it into 1/3's and allowed an additional inch for the center curtain since it wouldn't be hemmed on either side. (remember, the outer 2 pieces already had one hem).  By doubling the fabric and measuring that distance in from the two outer (separate) edges, I was able to only make two cuts total!  (does that make sense?)


Since my sewing skills haven't improved since the last time I claimed I was going to learn how to sew, I bought 2 rolls of Heat n Bond, a no-sew hem tape.  I ironed in a 1" crease on any side that didn't already have a hem to make sure that the edges were crisp, then I applied the tape.


With the iron on medium heat, I adhered the sticky side.  Once it cooled, I removed the paper backing, folded over the raw edge of the fabric and iron again until the heat penetrated the fabric and the bonding tape.  Once it cooled, I was left with nice, clean edges!  This method is really easy but it was time consuming based on how large the fabric was.

Once the hems were finished, I added a 6" stripe with matte Chocolate colored fabric paint.  First I measured and marked 9" and 15" from the top of curtain lightly with a pencil.  Then I taped and remeasured.  I also taped some newspaper down on my awesome craft table kitchen floor, just in case there was any bleed through (there was).
I started out using just a brush but quickly realized that if I didn't want this to be an all-day project, I'd better get a roller.  I used a 2" foam roller and it was perfect!


 

Here they are on the window.  (I cleaned up all those Legos just for you, my GUEST!!!)

(Someone should've warned me how difficult it is to photograph windows!)



This entire room is getting an overhaul soon, this is the first step, stay tuned!

Afterthoughts:
  • Based on my window size, I could probably have done these with a smaller canvas but I know I'll have plenty of uses for the remaining fabric, so I didn't mind.  There are so many sizes available - possibly one that's the perfect size for your windows, so that you wouldn't have to hem at all.
  •  Definitely wash the canvas before you use it.  It was dusty but was just fine once it was clean and dry.
  • This project cost less than $40!  (I was fortunate enough to already have the curtain rod and rings, stencil, and fabric paint on hand.)
Pin It

Linking here:
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special Photobucket The DIY Show Off Photobucket
 

37 comments:

  1. Pretty cool. I like the whole no sewing thing!

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    1. April, thanks! My sewing machine is sitting in the basement, with a look disappointment on it's face, so I try not to look! - Lori

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  2. Awesome. Please come over next weekend -- I don't have any curtains, but I can totally buy you drop cloths and borrow a kitchen floor. And an iron.

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    1. Ha!! I wish I could visit. Now you know what you're getting next year for Christmas. - L

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  3. You had me at NO SEW. And Mama.... windows are hard to photograph.

    ~Bliss~

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    1. I swear they look nice, simple but perfect for the room, in real life. Guess I'm going to have to jump on that photography class train! Thanks for visiting! - L

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  4. Thanks so much for visiting us at Slipcovered Grey! Love your blog! We are new followers. I really like working with drop cloths and have been wanting to make curtains for so long, but sewing them... not so much. Thanks for showing the no-sew method.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Yes - in my book, no sew is the only way!! - Lori

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  5. Great idea...love the "no sew" idea...I've also been pondering on a drop cloth curtain project...you have me inspirred!!! Thanks for the idea...I'm now a new follower. I'm going to "pin" this to refer back to regarding the "no sew", if you don't mind.

    Erin at Chronic Christian Crafter

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    1. Eric, thanks!!! I would be flattered for you to Pin this! You'll have to keep me updated on yours as well! - Lori

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  6. Hi Lori, I am so glad you stopped by. This is fantastic. I have used a drop cloth for a tablecloth, but never curtains. Love it. How cute are your boys. I'm a follower...us DIY gals need to share ideas!

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    1. Linda, thanks for stopping by!! (and yes, DIY-er wishing to be decorator pretty much describes me, great post!)

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  7. Oh my word!!! I am so glad I found your site!! I have been trying to find inexpensive curtains that I actually like for my living room. I have 3 huge (wide) windows. I never thought of making my own because i don't sew but now i'm so EXCITED to make my own!! I want to find a pattern that I can stamp over the entire curtain. What do you think? Would that work with this fabric and fabric paint?

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    1. Julie, thanks so much!!! I think doing an all-over stencil would work really well on this fabric and I can't wait to see yours! You might be better off using latex paint with fabric medium since you'll need a larger quantity of paint. Thanks for visiting! - Lori

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  8. They look awesome Drama Mama! How are you?

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    1. Thanks, no kidding though, they look pretty good in person. My NEW new year's resolution is to learn to take better photos. I wanted to tell you, too, that I'm relieved to see that someone else thinks 31 days is too short a time to do the impossible! Whew that's a lot of pressure! Hoping your break has been therapeutic!! - L

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  9. the curtains are fabulous. i'm all about "less is more" in playroom decor since those darn legos brighten it up plenty.

    great step by step tutorial!! (of course!)

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    1. Amy, thanks! I'm about thiiiis close to turning the playroom into my office (also known as a place I will sometimes hide - ha!) - Lori

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  10. Hello friend,

    That is a great tutorial! I love canvas dropcloth curtains (especially striped ones)! I would absolutely love it if you would link this up to our "impossibles" party! Here's the link:

    http://thistlewoodfarm.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/a-journey-of-1000-steps/

    Thanks for the inspiration (and the sweet comment on my blog)!

    blessings,
    karianne

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    1. Thanks so much! I will - right now! The funny thing is that one my impossibilities had to do with learning to sew! - Lori

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  11. Love this-it is really hard to take pics of windows. I'd love for you to link up to my party this week. You can win a chance $20 of vintage jewelry just for linking up. http://trophyw.blogspot.com/2012/01/will-craft-forfree-jewelry.html

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    1. I've tried again, too, at 3 different times of day, etc., and the pictures still look bad!! Thanks so much!! I'll be there pronto!! - Lori

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  12. This is awesome! I love the tutorial it makes it so clear to understand. I have been wanting to do this for a while, I better start collecting the supplies.. :)
    Thanks for linking up!
    P.S: following you now

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  13. Beautiful job! My drop cloth curtains are still my favorite in the entire house. I love the wide bold stripe! Thanks so much for sharing! ;)

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    1. Thanks! These have already been spilled on (no stain - yay) and I'm really happy they're so sturdy!

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  14. I can't believe I found this today - I'm thrilled! I was at Menards yesterday looking at the canvas drop cloths trying to fiqure out how to turn them into patio curtains - YAY. Thanks for the tut, I'm following, would love if you follow me back :) Love the name of your blog - BTW! http://asundayafternoon.com/

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    1. Sunday, thanks so much! I think these would be perfect for the patio - I might have to borrow that idea! I'm visiting you right now! ~Lori

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  15. WONDERFUL tutorial!!!! If only everyone knew they didn't have to spend tons of moula on curtains! :) Oh and Lori? Photographing windows is tricky. Just so ya know. haha ;)

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    1. Thanks Kammy!!! Next time I need to photograph windows, I'm calling you! ;D ~Lori

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  16. They're fabulous!! Look so similar to the ones at Ballard. VERY well done, Drama Mama!! Would be delighted for you to link up to Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/02/mop-it-up-mondays-party-2.html
    {HUGS},
    new follower Kristi

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    1. Kristi, thanks! I love the ones at Ballard (& everything else!) I'll link up right now! So happy you found me! ~Lori

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  17. Great tutorial! Don't you just love those drop clothes!!

    Thanks so much for linking up to the challenge!
    Karah

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  18. Is it better to use a heavyweight or lightweight drop cloth for a window 6 feet wide and eight feet high? Thanks!

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  19. Hi Lori! This is such a fantastic tutorial, I am so glad that I found it. Any advice on where to buy drop cloths? Have you ever seen them in other colors or only this beige? Thanks!

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  20. Can you explain how you attached the rings/clamps?

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