Ideas for Dressing Up Store Bought Curtains – Part 2

This is the second of my two part series on embellishing store bought curtains which was featured in the summer edition of Better Homes and Gardens 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100. In my first post, I showed how to add a fabric topper to a pre-made tab top curtain as well as how to lengthen the same curtain by adding fabric “stripes.” Today’s post features a curtain made by incorporating ready made gathered top panels with an embroidered table runner, as well as several other fun ideas.

Valance Topped Curtain
This curtain was designed by Donna Talley (Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications) and made by me. It was created to conceal a bookshelf niche using ready made gathered curtains and a two-tiered valance. The valance is made from an embroidered table runner and linen fabric.

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Directions:
Table runner tier;
Cut table runner to the desired height and width plus 1 inch for seam allowances. If your table runner is not lined, cut a coordinating piece of fabric to the same measurements. With right sides together and matching up raw edges, pin and sew bottom and side edges. Turn right side out and press. If you table runner is lined, turn runner inside out. Sew side and bottom seams if they are not sewn. If top seam is sewn, remove hem. Press.

Blue linen tier:
Determine desired finished size. The curtain shown has a 2 inch border around the bottom and side edges. There is no top border. Cut two pieces of fabric to desired size plus 1 inch for seam allowance.

Assembling the valance:
Lay one piece of blue linen fabric right side up on a flat surface. Place table runner tier on top of linen fabric (right side out), aligning top edge and centering. There should be a 2 ½ inch border around the side and bottom edges. Place second piece of blue linen fabric wrong side up on top, matching raw edges. Pin.

Sew around top, bottom and one side edge. The second side edge should be sewn leaving an opening of several inches. Turn the valance right side out through the opening left on the side seam. Press and hand sew opening shut.

Hang the panels on a tension rod and then layer the valance over them. The valance can be held in place with Velcro.

A few More Ideas
Shown below are other ideas which Donna Talley designed and created for using pre-made curtains which appeared in the same article.

Add a Decorative Border to a Pre-Made Tab Top Curtain

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Create a border by adding grosgrain ribbon along each side and tassel fringe to the top and bottom edges. Sew on the embellishments or attach them with fabric glue.

Ribbon and Button Tieback

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Embellish basic panels with a simple tieback made of ribbon and buttons. Hot glue mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell buttons to ribbon, leaving space between each button. Leave several inches unadorned at each end. Wrap the ribbon around the curtain panel and tie the unadorned ends to a hook attached to the wall.

Rosette Swag

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Turn two wooden rosettes into creative hangers for a curtain swag. Embellish the pieces with adhesive gems. Glue a short wooden dowel to the back of each rosette and glue the hangers to the window frame.

Hanging Headboard

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Make a statement with a headboard from a curtain panel. Using fabric markers of different thicknesses, write favorite quotes, poems and lyrics on the panel. Hang the finished panel from a curtain rod using clip rings.

Oversized Hangers

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

For a take-notice look, skip a traditional curtain rod in favor of oversized holdbacks used as hangers. Screw the tiebacks into the wall above the window frame and hang the panels from 2 inch curtain rings. A row of tassel fringe adds flair along the bottom edge of the panels.

Pediment Valance

100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 / Photographer – John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Create a classic valance with an architectural pediment. Add wooden rope trim with wood glue. Spray paint the piece a pewter color. Paint the rope trim gold using a brush. Screw hooks into the back of the valance to hang tension rod for the panels. Screw the valance to the molding.

I hope you were inspired by all of these simple ideas using pre-made curtains. As you can see, you do not need to be a master seamstress in order to create custom curtains. All of these ideas are simple, stylish and easily doable!

My favorite is the striped curtain which appeared in the first post. Do you have a favorite?