Thursday, March 25, 2010

Easy Curtains and Bedskirt

As part of my ongoing makeover of my friends Bruce and Alison's master  bedroom, we updated their window valences and bedskirt. Read more about the makeover here.

The old window treatments were made by Alison and were quite pretty. They matched one of Alison's quilts and were very effective at blocking light. Part of the makeover goal was to lighten up the room and make it more neutral so that her quilts could be switched out and still coordinate with the other fabrics in the room.



The new window treatments are made from burlap and have a brown velvet ribbon woven through the bottom. They let in a lot more light but still provide privacy. Aren't they pretty?!




The treatments were easy to make. Create a rod pocket on top wide enough for your curtain rod. Hem all the edges. Or if you cut the burlap right, you can use the salvage edge for the bottom and forgo the hem. For the ribbon treatment, Alison measured up from the bottom and pulled the horizontal threads out of the burlap until it was the width of the ribbon. Then she put a safety pin on the end and wove the brown ribbon through the remaining vertical threads.

I thought we would have to count the vertical threads to ensure the weave was even. Alison gave it a go and eyeballed it and it turned out great. She is much looser in her decorating than I am. I would have counted and tripled the time to make it! If you need more detailed instructions on how to make the window valance, let me know.

Now I don't have a before picture of the bedskirt. It was a sage green, coordinated with the handmade quilt and had split corners for a footboard. Very basic.





To make the new skirt take the old bedskirt apart. You want to remove the ruffle part and keep the decking part (the part that sits over the box springs). We reused the decking and sewed the new skirt to it. If you wanted to save the removal part, you could just use an old fitted sheet.

The new bedskirt is a simple strip of burlap the length of the decking to the floor. Alison cut it so that the salvaged edges are the bottom of the skirt, so she didn't have to hem it. Sew burlap strips together to fit the width around the bed minus where the headboard. Sew this long strip to the decking. Alison's came out great and fit perfectly the first time around. If you need more detailed instructions on how to make a bedskirt just let me know.

We spent $8 for 4 yards of burlap (with a 40% off coupon) and $8 for two spools of velvet ribbon. The existing bedskirt was free.

For under $20 and a little time at the sewing machine, you can update your windows and bedskirt. Quick, easy and cheap - how I like all my projects. Alison is a great seamstress, but anybody who can sew a semi-straight line can make these.

Linking up to these fabulous parties. Come check them out!

42 comments:

  1. Very cool! Loving the pairing of burlap with the fabrics you already had! Very smart! Thank you for sharing! :) Hope you can stop by when you get a chance!

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  2. I love the burlap! What a great color. Both of them look amazing!

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  3. I loved it! Thanks for sharing!
    I have a great interview with a savvy blogger on my blog right now with great tips on how to help your blog grow.
    You can check it out at http://bloggerchixdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/aprils-featured-interview-april.html
    Also a giveaway for a Trendy Diaper Changing Pad if your interested :-)

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  4. I love anything burlap!! These turned out great!

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  5. Love how you used that ribbon in the burlap trick!!! :)

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  6. What a neat idea. Love using burlap for all different kinds of things.

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  7. Lucky friend! Love the look of burlap. What a great idea. You do make it sound so easy....cheers, -susan

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  8. Burlap is the trend right now and I love it. The bedskirt and curtain are perfect!

    Please stop by and enter my giveaway.

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  9. They look great! I love how you did your bedskirt. I'm fixing to make a new one for my bed too.
    ☺ Celeste

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  10. What a great way to use burlap! I love the bedskirt!

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  11. I am loving all of the burlap. It looks fabulous! Here from Lucky Link

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  12. Great idea to use burlap, how durable and cheap!

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  13. Nice job! I like the burlap.

    Be sure to visit AtticMag this week for our Giveaway!

    Allison

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  14. I love this!
    It is a great way to get the popular burlap without a problem.
    I enjoyed visiting-
    Drop by if you can,
    Laura

    White Spray Paint

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  15. Great makeover! Thanks so much for sharing it on Timeless Tuesday.
    Paula Grace ~

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  16. Gotta love burlap. It looks fantastic and so chic for so little $$$.
    Holly
    504 Main

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  17. Luv your burlap...looks outstanding...I have done some burlap drapes too:) Hope you had FUN at NTT!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  18. Please reread the rules for linking to the Boardwalk Bragfest and try again.

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  19. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing with us! Check back for lots more ideas today!! Don't forget this weeks Categorically Crafting on Friday!

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  20. So cute! I just love how versatile burlap is.
    Courtney@ frog2fab.blogspot.com

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  21. LOVE the ribbon weaving! So cool!

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  22. I have to agree with the other comments - gotta love burlap and for the cost - it is just fabulous. Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired today!

    Chelsea

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  23. I love the burlap window treatment! That ribbon on the bottom- so pretty.

    Thank you for linking this to A Little Craft Therapy with Life in the Pitts

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  24. I love burlap and that valance is So pretty with the black ribbon :)

    Thanks for lingking at Lucky Star Lane!

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  25. The burlap looks great - How did you get the "funny odor" out of the burlap? it has the strangest smell that I am leary to use it often!!

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  26. I love those, especially the bedskirt. Easy and looks great. Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Dropping by from The Inspired Room. Come see what has inspired me in Blog Land. Hope you reigstered earlier this week for our giveaway that ends Saturday night - so be sure to register (AtticMag)!

    Allison

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  28. I thind that is great. I love burlap. Great job.
    Brooke

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  29. Beautiful! You and Allison do lovely work. I love the warm colors.

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  30. Great idea (and I'm the count threads type too).
    Thanks so much for linking up to Finished for Friday! I enjoyed my visit.

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  31. Love it! I love the brown ribbon woven through. The bedskirt is perfect too! Nice job.

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  32. Burlap is such a great choice!

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  33. Very nicely done! I love the addition of the woven ribbon to the curtains! You did a great job!

    Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours day!

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  34. these look great! I love an inexpensive classy makeover!

    Glad you joined us at Sew & tell!

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  35. Ohhh, I love the burlap bed skirt. How smart!!!

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  36. Love this! Thank you for bringing your hodgepodge to my party! Hope to see you again.
    ~Gay~
    itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com

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  37. Wonderful..

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday! Please join me next week for another great party!

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  38. What a great idea! Love the burlap look...
    :)

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  39. Love these! I need to do some for-my-house sewing! :)

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  40. Both of these look great! Thank you for sharing!

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  41. Very nice! Thanks so much for linking up on Craft Schooling Sunday, hope to see you again next week!
    all the best, Sara

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