Splash Interiors & Renovations: Curtains in Pink and Green

I mentioned in a previous blog that I loved the combination of Pink and Green. When I was contemplating new curtains for the guest room (the one with the new cabinets) I considered simple white linen but shyed away from that - it's would have been a safe alternative but WAY too boring for me - I wanted this room to be a happy room and it's shaping out to be just that with the bedding and feature green wall - and after looking closer at the bedding I discovered I actually could do Pink and Green just needed to find the right fabric. It had to be something fairly "weighty" so that it hung propery and not too heavy because I knew they were going to be lined (I don't like it when you can see coloured curtains from the outside so I line all of my drapes - or put roller blinds on the windows).

I am also almost always on the hunt for that special something that is not at regular price . . . you know it's the same thing on sale that it was at regular price so why would you pay the regular price when you don't have to . . . I do a lot of poking around when I'm looking for fabric - I particularly LOVE shopping in the bargain wall at Fabricland . . . sometimes I don't find anything but this day I found exactly what I was looking for - a different shade of green from the wall but that's o.k. - same family . . . and the pink . . . well it's kind of a raspberry pink and that's o.k. too . . . I chose something with a non competing pattern and got to work.

Here's the before

Boring back-tab cream coloured linen-look curtains that were in the house when I moved in 7 years ago - they were actually floor length and sat in another window, cut them off (because of the exterior wall ledge) and that's how they have sat for 7 years! again - pretty boring . . .

Measuring the window and coming up with a plan was kind of already there (in my head) - I wanted something very simple and flat but when opened or folded up it would look interesting (because the neighbour (an old dodgy guy) has a window facing my house so the curtains are almost always closed).

I purchase my lining/sheeting 10 yards at a time when it's on sale so I always have it on hand - I use it for EVERYTHING I am lining and yes I had enough to do this project and a couple more!

First I sew the "ribbons".

Open up the fabric and fold so seam is now in the centre and sew 1/2 " seams

Clip the corners

Press seam flat

I told you she wants to sit on EVERYTHING I sew

Measure the window and add five inches to EACH side (2" extra to go outside the window trim, 2" to compensate for the back and 1" extra to compensate for the seams), two extra on the TOP and three extra inches on the BOTTOM (for the hem)

Sew the lining to the fabric

Press side seams flat

Turn over two inches and press again

Turn over to the back and stitch both ribbons down (1/2")

Hem top and bottom to desired length
Leave an opening in the top for all three brackets (otherwise they won't lay flat once you put them through the rods)