| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| cowgirlandboys |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 08:08:26 AM
We are moving to a new house which has all new thermal windows(awesome thank you God!) and we need to make some curtains on the CHEAP. My decor is of a 50s retro style, if that helps. Any suggestions for something sweet and easy, simple and cheap for a variety of sizes? Thanks Thanks Thanks my favorite farmgirls!
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535 |
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| JennyJKerr |
Posted - May 04 2011 : 11:42:21 AM
For our last place I went and bought dollar a yard fabric with a faux raw silk look to it and just folded it over on both ends and sewed. Then I shoved the rod through the top and hung them. I picked fabric where the salvedge edges weren't any different than the rest of the fabric so I didn't even have to hem the sides. Even if I used 6 yards per window I was coming in well under $10 each when you figured in fabric, thread and tax. Our living room here is all windows, so I bought a roll of backed drapert fabric and did the same thing but I had to hem the sides. With my Joann's 50% off newsletter coupon I was able to do the whole thing for about $500 less than identical store bought drapes would have cost me.
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| CMac |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 3:44:11 PM
I am going to make curtains out of burlap for my dining room when we get moved back in. It is pretty cheap and I plan on waiting for one of those wonderful sales to buy it. I'll just fold over the top to the outside of the curtain, sew a pocket and fringe the hangover part. I'll probably fringe the bottom too. If the selvage edge is too wonky (sometimes burlap is) I'll add a wide grosgrain ribbon to the edges. I'll make a wide tie back with a ribbon band on it too. I don't need privacy but could use a little sun filter since the entire back wall is windows and faces west. I never had curtains on any of the windows on the original cabin. We are way off the road and behind a fence row that has grown up with trees. Now that the place will be bigger curtains won't take up valuable visual space and I'm looking forward to playing with ideas.
I'm going to buy a roll up window shade and paint the window with the mouse sitting on the ledge from "Good Night Moon" on it. That will be for the guest/grandchildren's room. You can paint, stencil, wall paper or cut an eyelet design in a roll up shade. They are really cheap. Add a fringe or ribbon to the bottom and you have an expensive looking blind!
Connie
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Author: Henry David Thoreau |
| Arctic Flower |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 3:08:51 PM
I have seen bandanas or scarfs edged with a little lace or ribbons used to make the cutest curtains. Not much cost there and the variety available is enormous. Another window treatment I saw once was vintage style hot pads hung on their hanging hoops on a rod overlapping each other. There was no side curtain but that valance sure was cute for a window that didn't need privacy.
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
| cowgirlandboys |
Posted - Apr 25 2011 : 11:42:18 AM
Funky Junk is awesome. Thanks for posting that. I love sooo many of the ideas there. I love the 50's starburst mirrors andhse had one made from clothespins that I plan to make, as soon as I get enough clothespins from garage sales this summer.
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535 |
| MaggieMB |
Posted - Apr 20 2011 : 06:13:09 AM
I love Marisa's idea of torn fabric and buttons! Wish I had a picture! Megan, I know what you mean about not finding the vintage tablecloths. I have always looked for them when I thrift and don't see too many of them anymore. And I can't bring myself to cut up the ones I already have! I wonder if you would have any luck with freecycle? |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Apr 20 2011 : 05:36:33 AM
I have been going to thrift stores every week to look for linen tablecloths-they're impossible to find around here!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
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| longbeachfox |
Posted - Apr 15 2011 : 6:28:59 PM
Garage sales are the best for curtains! I have found such good buys on curtain there. If you don't like the color, you can always dye them. Sometimes you can find some really neat embroidered pieces to put on the curtains to add a vintage look. If they aren't long enough, you can add some old tablecloth fabric to the bottom and it adds a neat vintage look. Have fun!
Farmgirl # 2532
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| embchicken |
Posted - Mar 13 2011 : 07:21:47 AM
Debbie - I love the idea of the little girl dresses!
I have also used vintage tea towels. If i couldn't find those i stnciled on flour sacks and used those.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
| mylilybug |
Posted - Mar 12 2011 : 9:15:36 PM
One suggestion is to find some material that meets your budget and instead of sewing across for the curtain rod to slip in, you can use buttons to sew across, instead of using thread. I would suggest "tearing" the material across to the length you want it versus cutting it. I think it looks unique.
Another suggestion, is to use retro pillowcases with the button idea above, for your bedroom(s).
As mentioned from others, sheets can be used to create curtains. When my mother was alive, she made curtains for many people and she always bought flat sheets, and then added lace, ribbons, etc.
Hope this helps! Marisa
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Prov. 31:13 |
| Nigella |
Posted - Mar 09 2011 : 08:29:45 AM
I second the sheet idea! I used two flat sheets one time in our bedroom. I didn't even need to hem them for a curtain rod (they already had it!) and they hung exactly right too. Worked out perfectly.
Sister #1213
Handmade and vintage goodies
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| The Rusty Thimble |
Posted - Feb 27 2011 : 05:33:07 AM
If you have any vintage aprons those are great the the retro 50's look in kitchens
Linen tablecloths make wonderful full curtains for various other rooms and to make them more decor friendly for
the color of your rooms simply take a piece of fabric and make a strip running down the side, across the top or along the bottom of it and use that same fabric for tiebacks. you can even use the fabic to make the tabs out of
Brenda
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Brenda
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| MaggieMB |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 11:21:25 AM
Lila, I love your ideas! I have mostly sheers w/ mini blinds that usually stay up, to let in as much light as possible. The vintage tablecloth and plant shelf combo sounds beautiful! Wish I could see a picture! My laundry/ powder room has different sized windows and an open doorway to a basement door area that I like to cover. I shopped @ Gabe's, a store that sells overstocks and seconds, and found on their clearance shelf, swags, a panel, and a shower curtain. With the help of a friend who's handier w/ a sewing machine than me, I was able to get curtains on all three areas for a total of $8. I also helped another friend put vintage tea towels over a tension rod, which looks so cute! |
| misspittypat |
Posted - Feb 23 2011 : 08:10:53 AM
Look at Funky Junky Interiors blog -- she used wood clothes hangers and clothespins to hang muslin from. adorable.
lila |
| DebbieSue |
Posted - Feb 22 2011 : 08:29:15 AM
A Friend of mine had the cutest idea...She took little baby girl dresses and hung them up on the curtain rod with clothes pins!! Made the cutest valances! |
| misspittypat |
Posted - Feb 20 2011 : 10:04:02 AM
Hi,
at my last house I had a huge back porch utility room with windows on two sides; i used old tablecloths I cut them in half lengthwise; made a casing on the cut edge and hung them up; i used sevral i didn't care if they were differnt or were thin/holey once you get them hung no one notices; then i made a simple shelf and placed all my flowers out there just happened to face the south; i found a 1/2 roll of expensive wall paper border (i only paid fifty cents) and covered the teal green and mauve cow border some previous tenant had hung up; the floor was painted red; the walls were the old tin punch ceiling tiles; through down a handmade rug and it was an adorable room.
lila |
| 2quilter |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 4:31:46 PM
don't forget vintage tablecloths.....
When life hands you scraps, make quilts! |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 1:04:54 PM
if you have some vintage hankies or white napkins you can make cute valances from those by simply folding the hankies in half and creating a triangle point, hang over a spring rod or other curtain rod. You can also sew the hankie squares randomly to sheers for a gauzy but fun look.
also think a bit more outside the box...vintage cutter quality chenille spreads can be cut down and used as curtains. Create beautiful tiebacks using crocheted jute twine and accent with a silk rose. you can even create a cafe style curtains by putting two vintage aprons tied on to the lower part, then the hankies at the top or hang vintage doll dress at the top , or if you'd like hang vintage potholders across the top. just a few fun ideas.
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| cowgirlandboys |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 12:45:32 PM
There are no blinds, but they are new thermal windows so I am excited about that part.
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535 |
| Bellepepper |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 10:45:57 AM
Do you have blinds at the windows? I do have but only pull them to keep the cold out. I only have valances. It makes the windows look larger. A lot less expensive than drapes.
Belle |
| katmom |
Posted - Feb 09 2011 : 10:32:00 AM
for sure, peruse the Thrift shops, and keep in mind things can be re-purposed, cut & hemmed....
I have seen tons of lovely lace panals as well as nice curtains...and sometimes you might get lucky to find a sheet that woul make a great valance/swap. And at usually under $5 it beats the cost of new curtains!
There are all sorts of great fabric websites if you are looking specifically for retro fabric....
but what ever you do,,, have fun doing it! it will make the task easier!
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
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| cowgirlandboys |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 4:21:01 PM
Thanks everyone. Hadn't thought of the towels and the ribbon!
Happy Trails!
Rachael
Farmgirl Sister #535 |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 12:57:18 PM
For which rooms?
For the kitchen, you can utilize vintage linent towels with those little round hooks that clip, and a nice brass or silver tension rod
For the living room, you can turn opaque sheets into "tie tops" by getting some gross grain contrasting ribbons, or other heavier gage string and attach them to the curtain top, and tie up onto the rod
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| rschaaf |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 12:42:13 PM
I like stores like Goodwill (thrift or second hand types). Look for sheets or table cloths or even pillow cases for small windows--and they may even have curtains too. Of course always look at the clearance section of Wal-Mart, etc and think outside the box. You'll be surprised what you come up with. Good Luck!
"There is beauty, there is grace, in my peaceful country place!"
See what I'm up to at: http://www.lifeonctfarm.blogspot.com |
| AuntPammy |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 08:22:13 AM
I had alot of sheers...but I wanted something more. So I took the sheers and gathered them then added about ten inches of fabric to the tops...to hang them I made fabric ties but, for the fifties retro look you could just add tabs. Sheers can be found at thrift stores for about fifty cents and the minimal material it takes to decorate them isn't much. Good luck with whatever you do!
"We were given: Two hands to hold. Two legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find."
Source Unknown |
| Cherime |
Posted - Feb 08 2011 : 08:15:26 AM
Second sheets worked for me after cutting out the middle that was a bit thin.
CMF |
