I'm kind of a tightwad so you might start seeing a lot of diy posts from me... Sorry in advance!!
So, we got our crib last weekend and I found a nursery photo that has become my inspiration (which I'll attach at the end). Anyways, I love the curtains in the photo and I'm wondering if anyone has DIYd curtains before. I don't sew... but I guess I could learn!!
**Extra points if you can find a fabric that is similar to the photo!!**
Thanks!!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
I've made curtains before (and I just learned to sew in December). You could even make curtains with hem tape and an iron!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts
This is how I calculate how much fabric I need to buy:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4780025_calculate-amount-fabric-curtains.html#page=5
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
To make it even more super simple, buy 2 flat sheets (like bed sheets) and then use the tape/sewing machine. Cheap, already hemmed, simple.
pomegranate / 3160 posts
Yeah, hem tape is fabulous. Just make a tube at the top for your curtain rod, then hem tape the sides and bottom. It'll be a pain in the ass and take forever, but there's no sewing involved! 
honeydew / 7909 posts
@NaturallyCathy: I'll have to see if I can find bed sheets that I like! Thanks!!
P.S. I don't even own a sewing machine. Doh!
honeydew / 7909 posts
@ms.janedoe: Ehhhh, what else do I have to do before November? Hahaha!
I have my DIY list all ready...
*Glider
*Shelves
*Curtains
*Refurb dresser/s
kiwi / 538 posts
I have- I'm a very beginner sewer and it's pretty easy. That being said- depending on the fabric and the lining you use, it's sometimes not that big of a cost savings (in my opinion). After you add up the materials and time it can be a wash. I only really do it if I have my heart set on a particular fabric or if I can't find other curtains I like anywhere else.
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
@sotofamilia: What can I say? Even though I own a sewing machine I'm lazy 
kiwi / 612 posts
@NaturallyCathy: nah, not lazy, just...utilizing your resources .
I've always been intimidated by the idea of sewing curtains, I don't know why, and the sheet idea is a nice way to ease into it!
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
@sotofamilia: All those stressful straight lines are taken care of which is why I like them. Besides, you can find some nifty patterned sheets.
pear / 1992 posts
@NaturallyCathy: The sheets idea is awesome!
@Ash: I can tell you first-hand that the sheets/iron hem-tape works. The only issue I have had (I have made curtains this way before) is that you might want to double-fold the bottom hem if you iron or use pinking shears so that when you wash them they don't unravel at the cut edge.
You can even avoid the pocket for the rod if you use curtain ring clips http://www.amazon.com/Levolor-Classic-Nickel-1-Inch-Diameter/dp/B002FU6O9O/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375462020&sr=8-3&keywords=curtain+ring+clips.
honeydew / 7687 posts
@Ash: If you want to drive over to Waterloo I can help you sew them But seriously, like others have said it's rarely a cost savings unless you're using dirt cheap fabric. I personally think sheets are too light weight - I'm in the process of making curtains for LO's room and bought blackout lining fabric and home decor weight fabric for the front so they "hang" and don't blow around.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
Iron the edges too, it's a lot easier, hem tape or sewing.
Are you going to make them black out lined???? I am looking for a tried and true liner I can use for some panels I already have. Anyone?
pear / 1823 posts
Sewing curtains is pretty easy. I'm definitely a beginner at sewing but I've made a few pars. I agree though, that it's rarely cheaper. It does give you a lot more options when it comes to prints...
honeydew / 7909 posts
I think I'm getting in over my head... Hahah!
@scg00387: don't tempt me! Hahah! That's a quick drive! My mom said she'll do them... but I've never seen her sew. Eek!
So now I guess if, say, it isn't cheaper... anyone have ideas where to buy a curtain similar to that in the pic?
P.S. You ladies are so crafty! Thank you!
honeydew / 7687 posts
@Ash: The offer stands I was going to look around for a comparable set, but honestly I can't tell what exactly those look like from the small pic. Do you have a link to where the pic is from? Or do they list a source? Are they just plain gauzy tan or striped??
@looch: I bought blackout liner from fabric.com and it is really nice quality, I have it hanging on its own sans pretty fabric right now and it works well!
honeydew / 7909 posts
@scg00387: Thanks!! I was thinking it was a natural colored linen... What do you think? It's actually a crib from bonavita that is being advertised in the pic... I can't find a bigger one because the website won't let me zoom. Maybe you can?! http://www.bonavita.com/products/collections/product-collection/westfield-collection.html#null
honeydew / 7687 posts
@ash they look more sheer to me on the zoom I found here http://www.bambibaby.com/baby-furniture/furniture-brands/bonavita/bonavita-westfield/bonavita-westfield-collection-3-piece-nursery-set-in-linen-gray-crib-double-dresser-and-5-drawer-dresser
these seem similar, I think it's tricky from a stock photo since the shade depends on the lighting in your room
http://www.target.com/p/threshold-chiffon-window-sheer/-/A-14173681#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
http://www.target.com/p/room-essentials-voile-window-sheer-pair/-/A-14335060#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1170031/chapel-hill-tanzania-sheer-window-panel-84-x-53.jsp
cherry / 189 posts
Here are my DIY curtains. I borrowed my MIL's sewing machine but you can get hem tape at Michael's and use just that! One of my best friends did that and her curtains look gorgeous! Happy crafting!
clementine / 930 posts
I second the clips that @lindseykaye: mentioned. I made lined curtains for our nursery (they're not up yet or I would post a pic) and they were kind of involved because of the lining, but I've also made unlined curtains for other windows in the house, and they were easy. If you found flat bed sheets you liked and used the clips, you wouldn't have to do any sewing!
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I was goin to DIY curtains but then I found ones at ikea that I really liked and felt like I wouldn't save much by diying. They are called Aina, nice thick linen and the came in white/natural, gray, and tan I think. Te fabric is pretty heavy so they hang nice, and I bought blackout liner panels also from ikea that attach right to the back. But they are definitely not total blackout, more like room dimming, and you could prob buy the lining fabric cheaper and get something more darkening. I'm really happy with then and the Aina panels, for two, each panel around 95 inches wide and long, were $50.
pineapple / 12526 posts
Curtains are SUPER easy. Here's an extremely simple way for people who don't sew.
http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/02/nursery-progress-getting-the-hang-of-it/
Do you have a better picture of those curtains? I cant tell what the fabric looks like to be able to find something similar.
ETA: I google image searched your inspiration photo to look at the curtains. They look to be simple beige sheers. This fabric is similar and CHEAP! lol
https://www.fabric.com/buy/ul-855/window-sheer-voile-beige
and this one, which is a slightly lighter color
https://www.fabric.com/buy/ep-108/118-wide-dozier-drapery-sheers-sand
GOLD / grapefruit / 4555 posts
@greenebee: I want your nursery. SO sweet and cute!
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