I finally found a listing on Etsy for some beautiful panels, but they would have cost $550 for four lined, 96" panels. WHOA, and no thank you! So I jumped into DIY mode. The fabric wasn't cheap, but my total cost was under $175. Still pretty costly, but it could be done for a lot cheaper with less pricy fabric.
I looked at a few sewing tutorials and started sweating. I decided to go the "no sew" route. I also wanted to line the curtains so that the fabric didn't fade over time. We don't really sleep in around here with Mr. Cole Henry, but it will be nice for the occasional nap! The grommets were a last minute decision, but here is the list of materials I used for four 96" panels:
11 yards of fabric ($11.50/yd but I used a 20% off coupon code...total $121)
6 rolls "super weight" Stitch Witchery ($2.75 each)
4 flat twin sheets from Walmart ($4 each)
4 packs of grommets ($5 each, with 40% coupons at Hobby Lobby)
I read several blogs before starting the project. I combined a lot of their tips and then did my own thing.
It was pretty overwhelming to start, but I caught on pretty quick. My personal tips are below.
- Be sure to line up the fabric pattern before you start hemming.
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| Pattern is consistent horizontally for all panels. |
- Leave the liner unattached to the curtain fabric at the bottom hem, so that it doesn't look like a pillow case. I hemmed the fabric first, all the way around. Then I hemmed the bottom a second time (without the liner), then both sides and the top with the liner.
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| Liner is pre-hemmed from being a flat sheet (yay!) and not attached at the bottom. More flow... :) |
- The Math- I ordered 11 yards of fabric, but when I started cutting, I realized I had 12 yards to work with! Yippee and a big sigh of relief, because I didn't take into account the double-hemming that would need to happen.
- The sides are all hemmed around 3/4". It was just the natural fold to me. Anything smaller would have been hard to iron with the hemming tape.
- For the length, 12 yards, divided by 4 panels, meant 3 yards or 108 inches each. I tried to hem the top and bottom consistent throughout the panels, but I was more concerned with the pattern lining up. And who cares what the backside looks like! In general, I would have done a 2" hem for the top and a 3 inch hem for the bottom. (Note: after choosing grommets, that was not a wise move. You need a 4" header for grommets. Oops. You can't tell though!). My panels ended up being 98" each, which is perfect because the grommets take some of that length higher up on the rod.
- The Grommets: TERRIFYING to cut into your beautifully hemmed panels!!! I do not like the ring clips to show (easiest option), and it looked funky with them clipped on the backside, so I went with grommets. They were super cheap and all you do is line them up, space them out equally, trace the provided key and cut a circle. Then the grommets just click in. They are actually plastic and lightweight, but you could never tell. I think it made them look instantly professional!
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| Super Easy! And the panels slide so easily... great for a short person. |
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| Word to the wise... make the header bigger (at least 4") so that the grommets can be in one section of fabric. Thankfully, it didn't matter that I cut into the liner and you can't tell from the exterior! I think it just reinforced my hemming tape. :) |
Ta Da! I am so excited that these were a success! Maybe I can keep sliding by without learning to sew...
