I really wanted new curtains for my breakfast nook. After searching everywhere, I couldn’t find ready-made panels I loved at a price I could accept. So I did what I always do: I called my mom. She brought her sewing machine when she visited a couple of weeks later, and we set off to the nearest fabric store, JoAnn’s, determined to find something suitable.
We looked through bolts and bolts of fabric and nearly left empty-handed. Then, tucked away in a back bargain bin, we discovered the end of a bolt of beautiful fabric — a lucky find that felt like a small miracle. It was almost enough to make the curtains I wanted, just inches short of what I needed.
Because the curtain rod was already installed and I wasn’t about to move it, we improvised. Digging through my fabric stash, we found some burlap to add as a bottom border. The burlap trim not only added a charming detail but also helps disguise the dirt that tends to accumulate near the floor by the sliding door. If the trim gets grimy, it will be easy to replace.
We spent just $30 on the fabric, and the finished curtains are perfect: the color and weight are just right, and they hang beautifully. They photographed a little awkwardly — the table sits in front of the window and the light from the door skews the color — but in person they’re a slightly deeper blue than these images show. The pattern is playful without overwhelming the room, adding a soothing, attractive touch.
My mom has always made curtains for me, and I’m grateful she helped again. Hanging new curtains feels like a small seasonal ritual I always enjoy, especially in the fall. I recently put up another set in the dining room, and I plan to share those as part of a series I’ll be featuring in October.
UPDATE: see the new DIY embellished curtains we made for the family room!
Have you seen my DIY pages? Check out Make Your Own $5 Curtain Rods for a simple, budget-friendly project.