Bedroom Makeover Week Day 2: Designer Fabric Curtains

March 17, 2011

If you know me, you know I DON'T spend more than $9 per yard on fabric. And anywhere between $6-$9 pains me especially when it needs to be bought in large quantity.

For the curtains I was planning in the bedroom I had a color scheme dilemma that was limiting my selection. My old color scheme (since 2004) was china blue and white. It's a great look but after moving into the house we live in now (in 2007) I realized that those colors mostly look good with a white washed hardwood floor (in my old house). I could have started over with the new bedroom but to save money I stuck with my old stuff and for years it's looked unimpressive and I've lamented it.
I don't know why but I kept the blue and white theme and half way between planning and buying materials I realized it wouldn't work. So I've been trying to inject a couple other palettes into my blue and white scheme. To make matters worse I bought a 600 thread count sheet set in teal. Which as you might think does NOT go with navy blue. And I wasn't going to toss the new sheet set or the new shades. I had to find something to tie it all together.

I found the perfect pattern at Hancock Fabric (see detail above). It had teal, it had green, pink and a hint of navy. Sort of modern oriental. You see. One problem. It was expensive. WAYY more than I wanted to pay. So here's what I did to cut on costs.
My windows were  about 55" long. Add to that curtain rod casing and seam allowance and I needed about 65". Originally I had planned to buy 6 yards and I had 6 curtains to make (not all shown in photos). Since my curtains were going to be solely decorative I could be flexible on width. I was going to cut the yardage in half lengthwise then take those two pieces and cut into thirds.
But my fabric was $17.95 a yard. That would be $108! Here's what I did instead. I bought only 4 yards and instead of cutting the yardage in half lengthwise I cut long strips widthwise. Since the pieces were now too short by about 10" I used navy fabric that I had on hand (but you could buy some broadcloth for $1 a yard) and sewed it to the top of my curtains in 10" pieces. This not only solved my length problem but it also added just enough extra navy to really PULL the color scheme together.
So in the end I only spent $72 instead of $108 and saved $36. Although still WAY more than I wanted to spend on curtains (especially homemade curtains) but I think the investment was worth the sacrifice because every time I walk into the room I feel like I want to stay. It's glorious. Last night Brian and I watched tv in bed for the first time in years, possibly ever. And I promise it's because we enjoy the space again.
Stay tuned either tomorrow or Monday for the headboard tutorial. I still have quite a few changes in store. This is by no means the final result. Oh, I can't wait. The room is gonna sparkle.

18 {comments}:

Sharon said... Best Blogger Tips

Gorgeous fabric! Those curtains are awesome! :)

Sandy said... Best Blogger Tips

Love that fabric and such a great solution to the color problem.

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks so much for this post! I have been looking for fabric in a similar pattern as yours to make curtains for my new house (but in a different colorway). And the cutest material is so expensive! Doing something like this will really work well. Thanks again!

AFormalFeelingComes said... Best Blogger Tips
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I love how happy and peaceful your bedroom feels. I'm overhauling my bedroom as well, and that's my goal. Bright, happy and peaceful. Because I'm just not a morning person and I need my bedroom to feel convince me that today will be a good day.

Sarah said... Best Blogger Tips

navy blue. My favorite. Especially with a coral pink... love the clean lines!

emzdot said... Best Blogger Tips

I love the fabric Kathleen, it's gorgeous. I was wondering, where did you get the bamboo for the curtainrods? I would really like to get some but I'm not sure where to look.

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

emzdot,
I cut it down myself. All I did was ask on freecycle if anyone had some and a woman responded saying that she had a ton in her backyard I could cut. It was great because I could make it as long as I needed. Looking at it now, I'm actually shocked it made it into the car.

But I'd recommend finding someone who will let you cut it down for free.

Angela said... Best Blogger Tips

fantastic!

Jessica said... Best Blogger Tips

what a great idea! i think the colors look great together. and the bamboo curtain rods are awesome! and i love the bookcases. i could go on :) great job!!

wegener said... Best Blogger Tips

just started redecorating my bedroom yesterday, your deco plans gave me just the kick I needed. Thanks and I am totally in love with your colour scheme. :) Tine

Twiggles and Trunks said... Best Blogger Tips

they're beautiful, excellent job. i'm loling at your headboard post tomorrow. all i need to do is sew the buttons onto mine for the tufted look & it'll be done, i'm just procrastinating.

365 Dresses said... Best Blogger Tips

Love it. The navy band on the top makes it look more modern, too. Great idea.

flynn said... Best Blogger Tips

Sometimes I think I send this site messages with my subconscious. I *just* bought the perfect, comparably expensive, curtain fabric and have been trying to figure out what possessed me to get one that was a few inches too short. You are a godsend!! Thanks so much for posting this :)

Vivienne @ the V Spot said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a beautiful project and such great tip to stretch our fabric (and our dollars!) Thank you!

a' la mode said... Best Blogger Tips

I just redid my bedroom too! I think you and I have similar style! Do you think I could make some of those shades to put behind my curtain panels? Let me know what you think! xoxo, Shelli
http://www.alamodemaven.com/2011/03/your-sanctuary-at-home.html

Simone Howell said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVE this fabric! Could be the perfect match to tie everything in in my living room. Can you tell me the name of it? Thanks!!

Grosgrain said... Best Blogger Tips

@Simone Howell
Sure I bought it from hancock fabric.
Here's the link
Flowers on Drapery Fabric

 
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