Finding horizontal striped curtains in the stores may very well be the hardest task out there. That is why I decided to make my own. Using pre-made curtain panels!
This post was originally shared in 2012. It’s been 8 years, and I still have these curtain panels in our dining room. Different house, same curtains. They wash up well and are fabulous! You can now find a wider selection of horizontal striped curtains at the store, but I haven’t seen any that I like as much as mine. Like my vintage diner table and chairs? I share the story behind them and how I reupholstered them in this post.
When I made my dining curtains I didn’t plan on making a tutorial, so I didn’t take any photos of the actual process. It was my first time making a pattern so bold, and honestly I wasn’t sure if they would turn out. I’ve received many comments on them and so I thought I’d do a post and let you know a how about them.
At the time, finding striped curtains was next to impossible. I searched online, and wasn’t willing to spend $200+ for a set. Now, it is a larger-than-normal sliding glass door, but it wasn’t worth that much to me. That’s when I decided to make them.
How to Make Striped Curtains
Our sliding door is taller than most so I had to make a few adjustments. I went to Target and bought the tallest white drape set they had and 3 blue curtain panels as well. All panels were 95″. I needed the finished curtains to be 104″ for my large sliding door, but since I was going to add stripes to them anyways I could lengthen them later.
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Here is How I Turned Solid Curtain Panels Into Striped Curtain Panels
- I took the total length that I needed (104″) and divided it by the number of stripes I wanted in the end.
I figured I would need about 11 stripes about 10″ tall to account for seam allowances. - I left the white panels as is, and cut the blue panels into 10″ strips.
- I ironed a narrow hem (1/4″) around each blue piece, then pinned it to the white drapes.
- Since I needed to create longer drapes for my extra tall door, my first stripe was sewn to the top to extend the length of the panel.
- The second drape was sewn directly on top of the white curtain panel about 9.5″ below the first one.
- Then I top stitched all the way around.
- I continued that process all the way down to the bottom. Simply sewing the blue panels on top of the pre-made white ones.
They are hung with curtain clips, pinched to the back every few inches to make them look pleated. Easy!
I am very happy with how they turned out. Custom and totally original with the slate blue/white combo, but I was still able to take some short cuts by using pre-made curtains.
Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!
Great idea to sew the stripes on top of the ready made curtains. But, I would be bothered by the section at the bottom where the light is shining through – as the extra length had been added at the top this section could just be cut off and both fabrics turned under and stitched at the right length and so no hem showing. I might share this idea with my new-to-sewing niece. My kids have grown up so I have the time to fuss a bit over things.
PS: How do you keep your dining area so tidy? Well done, for a girl with four children you are amazing.
Janine, there is method in my madness. My husband had a meeting at our house so I had been cleaning. I decided the next morning would be the perfect time to take curtain pics too since it was still clean! 🙂
Your curtains look fabulous! I love how you can take a few things and totally remake them to what you need! I’m always checking in with your blog and you are always amazing me with what you do. Thanks for all you do and show!
Thank you so much Brenda!
I’d love for you to come link this up at The Weekly Creative- a party I co-host with The Girl Creative!
http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/2013/04/the-weekly-creative-4/
Smiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
They look amazing! Love them!
Brandy, you just absolutely made my day. I have wanted brown and white striped curtains for AGES and can’t find either curtains or striped fabric ANYWHERE! This tutorial is perfect. By next weekend, I’ll finally have my curtains!!
I’m so glad!! You’ll have to send me a photo and I will share them on my FB page! Brown and white would be such a great combo!
Can you please tell me where you got your table, I have been looking for one for a very long time! I am eating off a pic nic table and I am tired of it:/ thanks!
Hi Annie!
This table was my grandparent’s table. They bought it in the 1950s. My mother inherited it when they passed away and let us have it in our home. I’m not sure where to look for one like it except for Craigslist since it is vintage. Sorry I couldn’t be more help here.
Thanks anyway! Your room looks great, and the table is awesome! I’m sure there are some great stories that have been told around that table! FYI if you look up “diner tables” there are similar tables. Thanks again!
so cute! i am curious about the wall color on your walls, do you know what it is called? i love how subtle it is while adding a clean look to the space.
Hi Lacy!
It is “relaxed khaki” by Sherman Williams. I love it too! We had out whole house painted just this one color to keep it simple.