Making curtains?

[denham]

I am moving in two weeks. I don't really want to buy curtains and I am not sure yet about blinds. I want something that is thick enough for privacy but that is not a big investment in case I decide to go with blinds. Any suggestions? I have thought about just getting old sheets from goodwill and sewing them up, but that would mean doubling or tripling up on the fabric I think.

Plus I have never sewed curtains before...it can't be that hard can it?

[Shamrock1121]

Making curtains can depend on a lot of things, which room, number of windows and size of the windows, and what your decorating style is.

Do you have a sewing machine? If not, there are no-sew styles that you can also do, but you may need some other things like iron-on-fusing or liquid-stitch to reinforce where you would normally fold over the fabric and stitch. It can also be done with a thread and needle, it just takes more time. (Been there, done that!)

- Be sure to check thrift stores for curtains AND rods.

- Look for discounted sheets to make curtains from. The caseing at the top or the bottom of the sheet will work to run through the rod. You also get lots of fabric, often for less money, than buying fabric by-the-yard when you can use cheap queen- or king-size, and single may fit perfectly.

- Go to the library and find some books that will show you some easy-to-make styles.

- Google -" No-Sew Curtains " for some ideas.

-Karen

[denham]

I do have a sewing machine and I know (more or less) how to sew a straight line. :) I did google sewing curtains but got a lot of pretty complex stuff. I will try the no-sew curtains idea.

I am only really daunted by the main front window, which is three windows really that add up to 8 feet wide.

Thanks for the ideas!

[theresehirko]

Here is what I do and don't laugh-We needed curtains in a jiffy when we moved into our house and they needed to be in a neutral cream/beige color. I was pricing out curtains and being disappointed at the exhorbitant price for cheap curtains. I made two sets for a room out of a canvas drop cloth that was 9x12, cream colored and was on sale for $8.99. I cut it in half long-ways, hemmed the cut part and turned over a foot on one end and sewed a straight seam for the rod to go through. I spaced some wooden looking buttons evenly about an inch below the rod seam for some decoration. I cut off the bottom edge and hemmed it. I had enough material left over to make a couple of throw pillows for the sofa to match the curtains. It was heavy enough that when the curtains are closed, just a little light comes through. Hopes this helps. It's all straight seams, some hand sewn buttons and that's it!

[denham]

I like the canvas idea a lot. I might use that for one of the bedrooms. I saw one on sale online for $9 and it was something like 9 feet squared.

But I lucked out today and found some NICE hunter green curtains (well nice to me) at a garage sale for $10. They are 4 panels, each 4 feet wide and floor length. That will work out for the big window in my living room. Now I need to figure out a cheap curtain rod. Maybe a dowel would work...

[theresehirko]

A dowel, painted, stained, or left plain will work. Drill a hole in each end and screw in a cabinet door knob.