Drape Drama: Craft Room Edition
I’ve been spending a lot of quality time with my Singer the past few days, working on window treatments for my craft room & I’m pleased to announce that they’re finally up & living up to all my expectations. After months & months of waiting for just the right inspiration, I finally decided to go with a bold black & white stripe. I may or may not have been subconsciously inspired by the decor of Olivia the pig as Lola & I are huge fans of her show.And, I’ve also seen several bloggers going with this look recently & they’ve all come up with their different methods of getting it done, providing me with lots of great inspiration. In the end, I came up with my own method & if you’re thinking of going bold with stripes, here’s how I did it.I started out with these pre-mades straight from Target.com in the 95″ length in both black & white. These were a super deal at only $19.99 per pair–much cheaper & easier than starting from scratch.Then, I did some math. On paper. With a good old pencil & calculator. This is the most difficult part. Many of my sewing projects start out just like this. You simply sketch out your idea, starting with the total length of drape you want, figuring out how many stripes you need & how long you want each to be until you have found the right formula that works for you. It’s very important to get this right so you know exactly how many panels to buy & how the pieces will fit together to get the proper length.My plan was to cut the black panels up in pieces & sew the pieces on top of the white panel, so that the back of the curtain would remain basically white. (I didn’t want to have to line them afterward.) But, I needed extra length for my panels in order for them to go from floor to ceiling, like I wanted. So, I used only the top stripe on each panel as a lengthener, cutting the white panel & sewing it in. For each of the other stripes, I cut them to size & pressed the raw edges over 1/2 inch on top & bottom, then pinned them in place carefully on the white panel.Lucky for me, I turned on the TV to find Kate the Centsational Girl on The Nate Berkus Show there to keep me company thru ALL THAT IRONING. Thanks, Kate!After the stripes were pressed & pinned, I sewed them on carefully, with a small stitch, close to the edge.Yes, this does require a lot of time & patience with the iron & measuring tape to get each stripe perfectly placed. (Did I say perfectly? hee hee). Actually, just like most of my projects, this one is full of imperfections. And adjustments did have to be made, but the good news is, if someone stares at these curtains too carefully, they’ll get dizzy & never even notice the little imperfections. So, there you have the short version of how these came about. Here’s a little before shot of the room:And here’s the after:Now this space has more drama than a Jr. High cafeteria & I’m spreading it around to a few of these sites! Check them out!
Amanda
April 11, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Im in love with this room The curtains are so amazing great job!
Following you!
Amanda
http://amandamaysstudio.blogspot.com/
Jayna Rae
April 11, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
Awesome results!!!
Ivette
April 11, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
April 11, 2011 @ 3:24 pm
Oh my, they look fabulous. I love the look.Such a fabulous room. Hugs, Marty
Katie
April 11, 2011 @ 3:30 pm
Wow! They turned out great and make a statement! I love them!
Achieving Proverbs 31
April 11, 2011 @ 3:37 pm
Those are incredible! Totally in love!! Did anyone besides me notice that Olivia's room is "curtainless"? Maybe she's still trying to find her drapery loves like Julie does! ; )
Amy
April 11, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
Love them! Can't believe how much they add to the room!
rhonda sexton
April 11, 2011 @ 4:17 pm
absolutely adorable!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
April 11, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
They look great, Julie! I originally thought you were going to have the stripes go vertically, but you really took on a challenge. I have to say it was well worth the time and effort you put into them because they really look wonderful this way.
poindextr
April 11, 2011 @ 6:59 pm
completely fabulous! You did such a great job.
Kim
April 11, 2011 @ 7:14 pm
Julie! I seriously love these curtains! I am so not a sewer and I wish I was, but for now I just drool over amazing creations from other people! Those teal frames are fab on that wall too!
Kim
http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com
Jessica
April 11, 2011 @ 11:43 pm
These are really just wonderful! I love how wide you kept the stripes and the easy sew the stripe on top technique.
I'm thinking of black and white myself for the living room. This confirms it, love them!
Kathie @ Like A Box Of Chocolates
April 12, 2011 @ 2:41 am
Saw this on Tip Junkie and they turned out amazing. Stunning, actually. Very impressed!!!
Modern Wivelyhood
April 12, 2011 @ 5:59 am
These are fabulous! Thanks for your sweet comment! We love Olivia too! Great job!
Rhonda
April 12, 2011 @ 11:43 am
Wow Julie!!!! Amazing transformation!I want some like that too! They are gorgeous! Fantastic job girl……YOU Rock!
Rach H
April 12, 2011 @ 1:23 pm
Wow, I just love these! Very, very beautiful!
Susan Woods
April 12, 2011 @ 2:07 pm
Wow! Firstly, the result is incredible. Secondly, I applaud you for the math and patience this job took. And lastly, holy smokes THAT's your craft room? It's huge. And clean! And beautiful now thanks to the gorgeous curtains. Lucky (and talented)girl!
Cindy@Cinsarah
April 12, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
Great Job! They look really great!!
radn
April 12, 2011 @ 4:23 pm
Love the room! but my eyes are drawn to the bold striped curtains! they are fabulous!
I am having a fine art photography giveaway by Melanie Alexandra on my blog. Just leave me a comment telling me which is your favorite image to win a 8×8/8×10 photograph of your choice. She has some amazing photographs of San Francisco, Paris and amazing carnival shots. Please check it out!
http://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.comhttp://houseonashwelllane.blogspot.com/2011/04/fine-art-photography-giveaway-by.html
Cassie {Hi Sugarplum!}
April 12, 2011 @ 6:33 pm
Look great!!!
imklvr
April 13, 2011 @ 11:02 am
Wow. Yeah. Wow. And the curtains are great, too. But….wow. I want your room. Lucky girl!
Amanda
April 13, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
ok, so i don't know where to begin. the curtains i guess since that is what this post is about, and because they are UH-mazing. duh.
my little man's room was recently made over (you can see that on my blog) and although i love it, it's just kinda "missing something" for me. he has a simple white roman shade on his one window. i'm thinking maybe he needs navy and white striped curtains just like these! seriously, it instantly added so much character to your already cute, and huge, and nice and neat CRAFT ROOM?!?!?! wow! 🙂
i'm kind of confused by the way you did yours though. no fault of yours of course, you explained it beautifully. i'm just a VERY beginner sew-er (a word?) and am wondering if you sewed multiple squares across in a line? does that make sense? opposed to one long strip for each stripe? anywho… they look awesome. and if i get the guts to try to create a similar (and less than perfect) pair… i'll link back to your post.
p.s. my little guy and i love Olivia too. 😉
LaKeta
April 14, 2011 @ 4:56 am
These are great! I love the fact that you used two curtain colors…I too have been eyeballing these all over blogland..yours turned out precious! I am putting this on my summer to do list!!!
Have a great Thursday!
LaKeta
1luckeegirl.blogspot.com
Megan
April 14, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
You had to make quite a few curtains, you have lots of patience! They look awesome!! Love the black and white together 🙂
Ann
April 14, 2011 @ 3:08 pm
Ohmigosh–the Curtains..but that ROOM!!!! Swwoooooooooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking
April 14, 2011 @ 3:48 pm
Perfect! Your curtains really "make your room".
Rachel
April 14, 2011 @ 5:18 pm
Love these!!! They really do add some drama!
I am having a Project Party link up tomorrow I hope you will come and link this up! I am now following! 🙂
Rachel
April 14, 2011 @ 5:19 pm
oh at BubblyNatureCreations.com
Jos @ Organized Chaos
April 14, 2011 @ 9:23 pm
Oh my…Really love what they do to your craft room…AND i am both jealous and excited that someone gets to have that BIG of an amazing craft room…and all that natural light. Don't EVEN get me started! Beautiful! {now if only I could sew…}
Magnolia Charm
April 14, 2011 @ 10:12 pm
YOu did a great job on the curtians! THe room is amazing! 🙂
michele at hellolovelyinc
April 14, 2011 @ 11:23 pm
loving loving loving! unbelievable that i was just thinking i wanted wide horizontal striped drapes, have been scouring the internet for fabric, and then find this! GREAT JOB! i'm inspired. found you via the party. come visit anytime.
michele
Meg
April 15, 2011 @ 1:31 am
Wow, that is fabulous! I thought you were going to say how you bought striped curtains–but you made them! Amazing!!
Shan
April 15, 2011 @ 2:24 am
Way to go! Very cute!!!
southernscraps
April 15, 2011 @ 11:11 am
Those turned out great! And what a great craft room!
Jen @ My Own Road
April 15, 2011 @ 2:28 pm
The curtains make the room look so much brighter and more open. Awesome
Kathryn Michelle Jenkins
April 15, 2011 @ 4:51 pm
a huge update. the curtains are awesome. really neat idea.
love the blog,
your new follower,
kathryn
http://www.thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com
Sommer
April 15, 2011 @ 10:31 pm
Okay the drapes are FAB but even moreso… what an amazing room! All the windows and light, it's wonderful! I'd really like to have you share this at my VIP party today… http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/vip-party-11.html
BeingBrook
April 15, 2011 @ 11:21 pm
Cute! Love the black/white combos. So tempted to do something similar in my bedroom. Great job! Love the teal frames too.
andie jaye
April 16, 2011 @ 2:22 am
i love it! the drapes totally make the room! i also love love love the teal frames on the wall! (and unrelated Little Man and i are olivia fans too)
Kimbo West @ a girl and a glue gun
April 16, 2011 @ 3:04 am
wow! those look great! can't believe how much of a difference it makes!
~april
April 16, 2011 @ 3:12 am
oh my gosh! you will NOT beleive this, but i just got of the phone with my mom and told her i want to do EXACTLY this same thing in my bedroom! hilarious!! i LOVE them even more now. i am waiting to get some swatches from curtainworks.com right now. i love olivia too!
Home as Hobby
April 16, 2011 @ 3:15 am
I have been contemplating doing the EXACT same thing to my boring, plain ol' blue curtains. So happy to see yours because now I am TOTALLY convinced to do it. Thanks for sharing your before, after and all the details! Yours looks amazing!!!
Little Miss Penny Wenny
April 16, 2011 @ 5:00 am
Those turned out amazing! Talk about patience 🙂 Visiting from TT &J
ExQuisite InVitation
April 16, 2011 @ 6:55 am
Great Job!
Andrea
April 16, 2011 @ 11:34 am
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Jaimee
April 16, 2011 @ 12:55 pm
WOW! These are fabulous!!
craft-interrupted.blogspot.com
kiki comin
April 16, 2011 @ 2:09 pm
amazing! that took A LOT of work! I lOVE your craft room..wow.
kiki
http://www.kikicreates.blogspot.com
angelfitch
April 16, 2011 @ 7:58 pm
Your room is swoon worthy!!! Love the space, and the curtains give it such great energy. Wondermus!! ;o)
~Terry
http://www.mossandclover.blogspot.com
Trisha @ The Sweet Survival
April 17, 2011 @ 2:49 am
Wow the curtains are amazing! This is what I want to do for my family room and like you I have lots of windows so I would need to make lots of panels. Thanks for the inspiration.
Jenny
April 17, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
What a great impact you've made with those drapes – I love it! I don't think that I have the skills or patience that you do, but I love your end result! Fantastic!
My Beautiful Life
April 17, 2011 @ 11:11 pm
Turned out smashing. Love them! Thanks for the tutorial. Marking for later.
Faith
April 18, 2011 @ 3:12 am
What a great tutorial!! Love the before and after photos too!!
Lolly Jane
April 18, 2011 @ 4:06 am
big difference- great job!! would love for you to link this up 🙂
Lolly Jane
lollyjaneboutique.blogspot.com
Opie Dawn
April 18, 2011 @ 4:11 am
WOW! I love how the room came together!
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com}
April 18, 2011 @ 4:27 pm
I am featuring these today on my blog! thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Rodriguez
April 18, 2011 @ 4:51 pm
I LOVE these! I'm going to have copy and doing something similar for our family/playroom in red,cream, and brown.
Found you from Bubbly Nature and am following now!
-Jennifer
allthingsbelle.blogspot.com
Julia
April 18, 2011 @ 5:01 pm
Love it! But I REALLY love your light fixture. Where did you get it?
maggie@midwesternsewinggirl
April 19, 2011 @ 12:48 am
Oh, my goodness…these drapes ROCK!!!!!!!!!! Love them!!!!
Object of Maya*ffection
April 19, 2011 @ 2:12 am
WOW!! It's amazing what a DIFFERENCE the drapes made! They look fab and the room looks GREAT!!
Julie
April 25, 2011 @ 11:00 pm
@Julia
I got that at Home Depot over a year ago. Added ribbon to the shades for a little something extra.
Sarah @ Stella&Gray
April 27, 2011 @ 6:14 pm
A. I enjoy Olivia more than I should…"hey world, i'm celer-ray-hey" 🙂
B. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who gets design inspiration from children's shows…do you watch Good Luck Charlie? presh house, love the rugs.
C. looks fab, excited to be following your blog.
stellaandgray.blogspot.com
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}
August 26, 2011 @ 10:50 pm
Yes, I joined after this post. You win the size prize for your craft room! And the curtains are great! I'm in the planning stages of converting my son's old room into my craft room. Mr. Wonderful is my contractor and I've got him backlogged with projects and honey-do's. Hopefully it will be completed while I can still thread a needle without a microscope.
Cheers!,
Barbara
Not Martha
September 21, 2011 @ 6:19 pm
What an amazing difference the curtains make! And that room is huge! Great job!
alittlepaint.com
September 21, 2011 @ 8:46 pm
I really love the bold striped curtains, they bring so much character to the room!
Cathy Wall
September 21, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
Love your comment about the space having more drama than a Jr. High cafeteria! You know it sister!
Love the black and white DIY drapes and the vibe of the room!
Cathy @ Room Rx
Shan
September 22, 2011 @ 12:16 am
I feel your pain in regards to the ironing! lol I, too, worked on curtains for my craft space, but fortunately they weren't that long! Wow! It is simply stunning!!! Thank you for spreading the joy of Roomspiration!! 😀
MJ
September 22, 2011 @ 3:43 pm
LOVE these…and your post made me laugh out loud. I loved the part about people getting too dizzy to notice the imperfections. Hysterical. 🙂 Glad I found your blog today!!
**Visiting from Family Brings Joy
Hyphen Interiors
September 23, 2011 @ 6:32 pm
I love how they turned out. What an impact! Thanks for the tutorial.
Jordan G.
September 26, 2011 @ 1:11 am
I love your curtains! What a great impact in that room! Found you through Roomspiration. 🙂
Following you!
http://www.thehappyhomebodies.com
Lisa Scibilia
January 18, 2012 @ 12:26 pm
Julie – what a huge impact your curtains make to the space!! Love them – great job. Thanks for sharing your how-to.
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog
January 18, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
These came out sooo great! It would definitely try my patience to do them well, congrats! Have you had a chance to check out our little Challenge? It's not too late to join. If you have a second, check in at http://thespacebetweenblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/imagine-the-impossibilities-challenge/ to learn more, and feel free to email me if you have any questions!
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog = your newest follower
Mary Doukakis
October 16, 2014 @ 3:02 am
Beautiful! I'm a few years late, but they're still relevant & stylish so I may take a stab at it 😉