DIY Drapes

I was originally going to make a slip cover for a chair with this fabric. I found it on a huge discount from Hancock Fabrics. Can I just say, I find the best deals there. The back of the store has remnant pieces. I can usually get 3-6 yard pieces for $3-$7/ yard. These lined drapes cost me only $42.

The fabric was $4/ yard. The lining was $2/ yard at Walmart. The tabs were FREE. I bought some new black pillows and they were sold as a set wrapped in a ribbon. I sewed the ribbons behind the drapes to have a back tab style. You can find them from $50 -$90 per panel as a solid color. I calculate a savings of 50%-72% by making them myself.

Don't worry you can't make drapes. I didn't have a pattern and just took it one step at a time.

1. Measure your window - take into account how high you want to hang your rod and how thick you want your bottom hem
2. Cut your fabric into two identical lengths. If you have patterned fabric, make sure the pattern is going the same direction.
3. Pin the lining inside the back of the fabric- this way you finish the edges of the curtains and line them at the same time.
4. Only sew the top and sides of the fabric. Allow the bottom to stay unfinished.
5. Hang the drapes on the rod and hem them to the exact height you want them from the floor. I think this is the easiest because I hate measuring. Seeing it exactly the want I want it confirms the last bit of sewing will be the last bit of sewing. I don't like resewing something to make it longer or shorter.
6. Hang the FINISHED drapes.

Did you notice this is the same fabric from the lampshade?

A covered lampshade

Do you have some of these? Do you also have some scraps of fabric? Put them together and see what you get...

1. Get your white lamp shade
2. Cut the fabric
3. Use iron-on hemming tape at the edges
4. Take a complementary color of bias tape and use the hemming tape again on the top and bottom edges
5. Don't worry about melting the lamp shade... I thought I ruined it a few times, but it just cools down again and molds back the way it was.

Since this was my first shade I made a few mistakes... I forgot to put the original lamp shade seam in the back with the fabric seam. I also should have thought about how dark the fabric was - blocking the light much. I guess it gives the room more ambiance. You'll see where the rest of this fabric is from in a minute...

Eating just got prettier

I don't think I've introduced you to my new table... It's half stained and black. The cushions are cream like the old table. We bought 4 more to have a set of 8. We're excited for all of our summer guests. We sold the old table on craigslist in a matter of hours. Two old ladies came by the house the next day with a pick-up truck.

I love it. I hope you can enjoy a meal with us soon :)