Pinch Pleat Curtains

It almost took me as long to write this post as it did to complete these curtains. But they are done and I LOVE them! I found this fabric

It's called Loop de Loop by Duralee in smoke. I bought it while on vacation. I was at one of those huge "pottery" type stores that sell EVERYTHING. It was cheap cheap, I can't remember exact per yard (it was January 2011!) but I'm going to guess it had to be around $10. The only reason I think it was so cheap, is because days before we had gotten an offer on our house and were moving, but we didn't have a new house. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I bought enough to at least make four plus panels (figuring 8ft ceilings). I would never have spent more than that!

We closed on this house Sept 1, 2011, and I was 6 mo pregnant chasing 2 preschool boys. I had no idea what I was going to do in any of the rooms (except the boys and the nursery) and was too tired to care. Fast forward to December 2012 and I finally decided I was going to use that fabric to make pinch pleat drapes for the living room, which faces a busy intersection. So for a year we have let our neighbors watch our tv from the street.

I searched and searched for an easy way to make these. I even considered pinching them by hand and clipping them from behind. A fake pinch pleat. There are lots out there in pinterest land. One night when my mom was here, I made it a priority to work on them. I don't sew anything without consulting her first. There was NO WAY she was going to let me do a fake anything. Her motto has always been if you are going to do it, do it right, do it once, and be done. I'd like to think I got this from her. I always end up doing this, but always research an easy way first, you know, just in case.

Then it was time for math. Measuring the windows, measuring the space, measuring the fabric. Writing out a plan with arrows and numbers and drawings. I wish I could tell you what all the measurements were, but honestly, I have no idea what I did with that paper. I can tell you that it takes 3 yards (54"wide) per panel for pinch pleat curtains for 8ft ceilings. The hard part was laying them out (which can only happen while littles are asleep). Ironed. Laid them out. Measured. Cut. I then ironed and laid out my lining (which was a white flat sheet). Measured and cut. Then I pinned. Each long side has a 1" fold over and then 1" again for sewing. The top is 1/2" and then 2". Bottom hem is 1/2" and then 3". All four sides got sewn (thanks mom!) She then sewed pinch pleat tape to the top. Right underneath the hem. I bought the 4 prong pinch pleat hooks and the hanging hardware.

Curtain is open

Curtain is closed.

There are all kinds of tutorials on you tube, they are going to be much better for you than anything I could write out! I know curtains are expensive and now I know why. My problem and the only reason I insist on making everything, is because I am a fabric lover. I can never find the print in the color way I want in the style I want. Whether it's chairs, curtains, or bed linens. When I went online to find more of this fabric to do my dining room, it was in the $20/yard range. I need 6 yards per window. No thanks. I did find some on Ebay for $220. They were rod pocket (just a straight seam) and not lined?!

Anyway, I absolutely love these curtains. I think they turned out perfect. My dining room is waiting for some as well but it's going to take awhile. First I have to decide on fabric (which needs to "go" with this rooms) and then they have to get made.

These just hit the floor.  They don't puddle and there isn't even room for a matchbox to go underneath!  Excuse the tree, I promise it got taken down.  December 27th to be exact!

One Word Wednesday

FINALLY!

Window Inspiration

I have this window:

And it needs a little something. The bathroom oviously needed a little lot of something too. Don't worry, that got done. It's just taken months.

I even have the fabric already (a shower curtain from World Market.  I couldn't find actual fabric that I liked.  I wanted a little yellow and grey and I love the hint of blue grey too!)!

Serious cuteness, right?! I kind of like the fabric too! It will go in the laundry room too.  Both are off the playroom.

Therefore, I wanted the same fabric and I wanted it to (kind of) go with the playroom. It doesn't, but oh well, I liked it!

I tried to gather some inspiration for window treatments because I will be making something soon!

How come all the roman shades are inside the window frame? I like them outside. What are your thoughts...

Inside ala Martha

or outside like Alissa, (a smart blogger who wanted outside for extra height, like me, and gives you a most detailed tutorial, which means, I don't have too.  Win! Win!)

Come on, so which is it? Inside or Outside?

Boys Curtain Link Up!

Today I am linking up with Beth over at Home Stories A 2 Z.

I know everyone has seen these curtains over on Pinterest but there is no tutorial or information on how to get them done.

The Pinterest version
There isn't much to share, except a few pieces ( heavy anchors and the rod is electrical not plumbing, like the rest of the pieces!)

Here was my original post!
I would love to see some other takes on these cool rods!

A Nursery Sneak Peek..Linens

We will continue this weeks reveal today with the linens. I know. Super exciting, right?!
Actually, I am a little let down. For someone that LOVES fabric and color as much as I do (I mean I do have a degree using them and spent my previous life before kids working with them day in and day out!) I didn't get too crazy or colorful! But they are exactly what I wanted!
Here are the crib linens.

(Excuse the poor picture quality. I have no idea what was going on. They looked fine on the camera?!)A natural colored linen bedskirt with white ruffles. Painstakingly made by grandma. The bedskirt has a hook and loop hem at the top so it can be moved when the crib mattress gets lowered. I absolutely love it. It's probably my favorite thing in the whole room. I would love one for my bed, but I'm scared to ask. I know the ruffles are a lot of work!

A plain white sheet. I thought I wanted a pink and white toile. However, once I put the white sheet on, I really liked it. Remember, the walls are pink! There is plenty of color in this little space!

I wasn't sure what to do for a bumper. There isn't anyway to attach it to the back of the crib (no slats) and they never really fit to where they can easily be tied. It was low on the priority list. I did finally decide I wanted one and a white one. I was trying to keep it simple. I looked online and found plenty. None of which I liked enough to spend $150 on. Strange, I have a Pottery Barn one, and I'm pretty sure it didn't cost that much?! And then...I decided why not make one?! I went to Hobby Lobby found some great chenille white on white polka dots and well...the rest is history. I thought I would just make a simple pillow case for my old bumper. Then I could put the ties where I wanted them and a little more hook and loop would solve that problem in the back! But that amazing grandma took over and whipped it up in a few short hours. She saved me yet again. I mean, I sure it would have only taken me a few short days! I will admit it took me until today to whip stitch the openings closed and sew on the ties (white grossgrain ribbon with some Fray check dabbed on the ends!). $20 for fabric (have some extra!) and $4 ribbon. Already had the fray check and white thread! I call that a good deal!

I loved the bedskirt so much that I couldn't stop there.

I used this linen in several projects, including covering the seat of a tiny rocker and a stool.
Then there are the curtains, which you saw in this Sneak Peek. I thought I may have come up with this idea on my own (I LOVE pom poms and I even had them in our old house on some cornice boards...before Pinterest!!) but I found this pin

Originally from here.

Apparently, I am not the brilliant decorator I thought I was! That's ok, I love these. Super cute and fun. One twin size white $6 sheet and six packs of pom poms (6x $4= $24) later! Not too bad!

Thats about it for linens! What will I reveal tomorrow?!

In case you missed yesterdays post here it is.

For previous nursery post see these Pink,Frames, Sneak Peek, Gallery Wall in progress

Curtains!

The boys curtains went up, which seems like it took forever. However, it took me much longer to write this post! I shared the inspiration in this first post about their room.

First I knew I wanted white curtains. Then I found these:

Source via Pinterest
I have been using navy as an accent so I knew I wanted to use navy at the bottom and not red. And they would be hanging on a red wall. Curtains are from World Market. Found some navy fabric at JoAnns Fabric and my seamstress amazing mother, measured, cut and hemmed them!

Then I found this curtain rod

Source
So creative! Kind of nautical. Seemed so easy! Easy until I went to execute the design. Aunt Kelly and I went to Lowes to pick up all our plumbing supplies. Since we didn't have any directions, we were going off the picture and the grommet holes on the curtains. Things were going well until we picked up the rod itself. It weighed at least 10lbs (for the length of 2). We went and looked at anchors. Big, strong, massive wall anchors that were going to be strong enough to hold a four and two year old swinging on them! Then we asked an associate where the wall anchors were if there was another solution for the rod. He suggested electrical conduit. This was great because the rod was lighter and CHEAPER!! Woot!

And then we went to put them up. One of the elbows was missing some thread. Ugh....I have two small children and I was pregnant and now I was having to go back to Lowes at Christmas.....Ahhhhhh!! But I was so excited about these curtains and how they would look! I will say that hanging them was a lot more work than regular rods (heavier and they have to be done at once, not a braket at a time), they were about $30 for each window (about the same as a regular curtain rod) and curtains can not be washed as easily. You will have to take off the rod itself, unless you got curtains that tie. But I was worried that would not fit my look! Thanks to the hubs and his muscles for the hanging part of this project!

I think they look awesome, if I do say so myself!

Soon I'll get some shelves up and a final room reveal!! I know, I know, you can't wait! Believe me, I can't wait to have it done!

Other Boys room projects:
Inspiration
Nautical Flags
Artwork
A Dresser
A Dresser Reveal

A Nursery Sneak Peek

A sneak peak of the nursery for you! Some of you have been waiting patiently for details. And since it is not done yet, I really don't want to share much. You know I don't like a half done room. Although, it's coming together and will be done soon, I'm hoping these will hold you over?!

Curtains (made with love by grandma)

Closet Knobs

Some Artwork

Are you as ready as I am for the big reveal?!