DIY Tall Shower Curtain

We have all seen tall shower curtains in model homes. I have been wanting to get one up in my guest bathroom, but I wanted it to be removeable, because I do like to change up my house ever so often. I decided to use a curtain rod and clips so that I can easily take down the curtain once I am sick of it, but the rod will remain. Everything was purchased at Ross, except the toggle bolts, which were from True Value.

You will need:

 

 -Curtain panel

-Curtain rod that you can adjust (rod that slides inot a rod with variable widths)

-Drapery clip rings

-Toggle bolts 1/8" x 4"

-Curtain hold bakc if desired

-Drill

 

 

 

 

1. Pull out half of your curtain rod. The half without the finial will be flush against the wall.



 2. These are the toggle bolts that you will use to attach your rod to the ceiling. Do not use the screws that come with the rod. The toggle will go inside the drywall and then flip oepn once inside, securing the rod from falling out or the screws from coming loose.

 3. Bend your curved portion that holds the rod so that it looks like a  scoop or an umbrella end.

 4. Drill in the bolts, put clips on rod, place your rod and secure. Clip on your curtain. I had my husband add a hold back on the wall so that I can swoop it over (I like the look). Plus I added a tassle.

 5. Voila!



Fabulous Drapes

I've been redoing my den lately and I am so excited at what it is becoming. Before we had a large straight couch hiding our pretty curved wall of windows so I am having fun accenting the windows now. I am doing a black and white theme of all different patterns. Pick 3 or so pattern you like to decorate your room, adding solid color at specific points to break it up.

Drapes can be so expensive, yet fabric add so much warmth to a room. Sewing your own drapes saves tons of money! Even a beginner can sew drapes because they are just large rectangles.

I have 12 foot ceilings and I wanted to sew 6 panels of drapes for 5 tall, skinny, and closely spaced windows. Putting the drapes up against the ceiling will highlight their height.

You will need:

-For six 12 foot panels: 18 yards of patterned fabric and 6 yards of plain fabric to sew at the bottom to break up the pattern a little.

-You will also need 2 x6 wood

-a table saw

-3 inch long bolts (3/8 diameter)

-drill

-staple gun

Optional: someone to operate all of these tools!

1. Sew, sew, sew. This project took me 6 hours of sewing, but it is easy work since all you are sewing is seems. Do not sew the top that will be against the ceiling (it will save time)

2. I cut the wood into six 18 inch pieces because the distance between my windows was only six inches. You want the curtains to slightly overlap your windows, but not too much.

3. Hand gather and staple gun the fabric on the top of the wood so that when you screw the wood pieces into the ceiling, the ends will be hidden. I did a basic EVEN accordion fold and stapled every inch or so. (sorry I don't have pictures of this part!). I found the middle of my fabric and stapled that to the middle of the wood and worked outward on each side in order to try to get the fabric spaced right. Don't forget to curve and gather around the ends (sides).

4. Have your husband drill the bolts underneath the wood up into the ceiling. The two inch side of the wood should be touching the wall, the six inch side should be touching the ceiling. Doing it this way will add more dimension. Make sure he finds a stud or uses reinforcements. My hubby used 2 bolts per panel.

5. Tie your drapes at a certain point in order to prevent them from spreading out too far. I used plain black ribbon.

Powder Puff Halloween Pillow

Here is a cute "powder puff" pillow that looks cute on any entry bench/chair, or even a guest bedroom. Super soft and fluffy.
You will need: a round pillow in desired color, 3-4 marabou boas in black or orange, hot glue gun, and ribbon.

Start gluing the marabou in a swirl pattern starting from the outside...

Lastly, tie some festive ribbon around the pillow and secure with glue.

Kitchen Towels That Stay Put

Sorry for the delay in posts. I finally got my towel project done. Have you all seen those knitted top kitchen towels? I don't knit or crochet so I thought this would be a nice and more modern alternative. The whole thing took about 20 minutes and was very cheap to make.

You will need: a sewing machine, thread, kitchen towel, coordinating fabric, a button, piece of paper, and a marker.

Draw a template. It doesn't have to be perfect. Draw in the shape of a "broom."

Cut out your template, then cut out your fabric around the template.

Turn fabric inside-out with both side together and sew around the edges. Leave the bottom longest edge open and unsewn.

Fold in raw edges of fabric. Cut towl in half length ways or it will be too thick. Tuck in folded towel. Sew shut.

Sew the button on by hand. Make sure you measure the width of your oven bar so that it fits correctly.

The finished product!

Detailed view. I am really hoping to get a better camera for Christmas so the future pics will be better!

Taggie Blanket (Super Quick)

I made my son a taggie blanket, otherwise known as a "lovey" so he has a comfort item in his crib. I used your typical quilting fabric on one side and a soft fabric from the baby section of the fabric store on the other. As far as the ribbon goes, you can use whatever you have. I think it looks cool if it is not too matchy-matchy and all different colors gives visual interest.

1. Cut the desired size square or rectangle or both fabrics

2. Fold edges inward

3. Pin ribbon pieces to one fabric on the inside

4. Pin the other piece of fabric on, hiding all raw edges

5. Sew around entire square (I triple sewed the ribbon parts to be safe)

6. Tack-sew five spots on the blanket so you don't get a balloon shape (and so it lays flat). I did a pattern like the "5" side of a dice

7. Heat seal the ribbon with a lighter

Always watch your kids around the blanket since it is possible the ribbon could come loose!

Netted Flower Clip

I saw these adorable netted clips at my daughter's dance studio. After several (failed) attempts at making one strictly out of netting, I combined it with a piece of ribbon. You could use a strip of fabric also. Netting goes for 99 cents a yard so it is cheap and easy! If you can sew a straight line you can make these.

1. Sew the ribbon to the un-cut netting using a super tight stitch. After it is sewn, cut the netting to the width of the ribbon. It is easier to cut afterward in case the netting doesn't line up perfectly.

2. Sew a lose stitch through the same edge that you sewed together. Don't forget to know the other end. It does not have to be exact.

3. Pull the thread gently through the ribbon to create a ruffle effect. Gather the ribbon in your hand to a desired looking flower. Again, it does not have to be perfect. Sew or glue the bottom to secure it.

4. Glue a cute bead or rhinestone to the center and a clip to the back and you are done!