Hello, my name is Carrie and I am obsessed with curtains. I know I recently said that I would spend all my money on rugs if I could, but I forgot to add curtains in there too. If a room isn’t feeling quite “done,” it probably needs a new rug and a new set of curtains. The only issue with my adoration of all things curtain is that I hate to sew – Correction: I CAN’T sew. I don’t even own a sewing machine.
Alas, I couldn’t ignore the need for pretty, colorful fabric panels after glimpsing this photo via Pinterest:
Source: Woman’s Day
While curtain ring clips sidestepped the need to sew tabs, the tutorial still suggests hemming the fabric with good ol’ fashioned needle and thread.
All I can say is “Thank God for Heat n Bond” – Without this fabulous no-sew invention, every single curtain in our house would be store-bought (read: we’d be broke). Instead, I was able to whip up my very own cafe window treatment for the kitchen without making a single stitch.
First the fabric – I still had at least a yard of yellow fabric left over from this project and, since I am trying to infuse our chocolate and mint kitchen with hints of yellow and orange, I figured new sunny curtains above the sink would be the perfect addition. Although, as you can see below, it was badly in need of a good rub down with the iron.
Once everything was nice and flat, I broke out my Heat n Bond no-sew hemming tape – This stuff is SO easy to use and has reduced my stress ten fold when tackling projects like this. I’ve had the same roll through a couple of projects and it has served me well…Costing less than $5 a pop, it’s worth the investment. Plus, since I already had the tape, the fabric AND the curtain ring clips, this entire project cost me zilcho, nadda, nothing.
For those of you not familiar with hem tape, it’s super simple. I first flipped the fabric over once I had it cut to size. Then I rolled out a length of hem tape to match the length of the fabric – I didn’t go all the way to the end on this first hem because I was going to be flipping down the perpendicular end and didn’t want to double up with too much tape in the corners. Oh and you don’t even need to use scissors to cut hem tape – The material is so thin that you can just rip it. I laid the line of hem tape about an inch in from the edge of the fabric before moving on to the next step.
After that, it was simply a matter of folding the fabric edge over the tape and ironing over top. The heat from the iron will melt the tape, making it a strong adhesive to hold the hem in place. I usually make a few slow and steady sweeps over the fabric/hem tape to make sure it’s good and stuck.
Once I had all four hems done on each of my two panels, I clipped my curtain ring clips every three inches or so and called this project done. (Sorry for the terrible photos…I haven’t figured out how to take good pictures of curtains in direct sunlight – Any tips would be appreciated from my photog readers!)
I am so pleased with the way they turned out. They look pretty darn close to the curtains in my Pinspiration image too! Just goes to show that you can always adapt projects to suit your manner of execution, and still get a great finished look.
But I wasn’t done yet…
While I had all of my supplies out and had quite a bit of extra fabric, I went ahead and made a little faux towel for the oven door handle. We usually use the towel next to the sink to dry our hands, dishes, etc., so the one on the oven was obsolete. I loved the idea of something hanging there that would match my no-sew-no-cost curtains, so I created a long, thin replica. A VERY simple touch, but I think it makes a big impact when you take the kitchen in as a whole.
Too bad you can’t see it with the curtains in all of that brilliant afternoon light – Oh well! Guess you’ll just have to come visit sometime and see for yourself in person.
Hope you have a great beginning to your week!
Love it! So happy and cheery! I’m actually working on a no-sew window treatment for my kitchen too! Can you say ‘hello, staple gun?’ Can’t wait to show you.
Thank you!! Glad you like it =) I can’t wait to see your new window treatment!!
Wow you’re amazing! The yellow is so bright and delightful! I don’t know how to sew either! Looks superb!
Well thank you!
I love the fabric you picked! That heat bond tape is amazing isn’t it?
Thanks! And yeah, for sure =)
Adorable! I need something like this for a little window in my master bathroom. Currently there is fabric hanging there waiting for me to sew it, but maybe I’ll forgo the dreaded sewing machine and use your no-sew method instead!
You should definitely try the no-sew method!! Sounds like your project would be a perfect time to use it. Hope it turns out well for you!
Did u make the rug in front of the stove too? Love the curtains! I do sew but heat n bond is awesome !
I wish!! It’s from Home Goods. Glad you like it!
How do you know how much fabric to use?
I measured the window’s width and height and added 2 inches to each side so that the curtains would gather a little when closed. Hope that helps!!
How did you measured that how much fabric is needed to make it all?
Furthermore I also want to see your new window treatment !!
I measured the width of the window and added 3 inches on each side to allow for hemming and so that the curtains would gather a little bit, even when closed. For the height, I just measured the height of the section of window I was covering and added 2 inches on each side to allow for hemming. Hope that helps!
Absolutely fantabulous !!
Great work dude
Well thanks!!
Where did you find the tension rod and curtain clips?
Both are from Target!
I love it!! Thanks for the inspiration!! This is on my list to do list next weekend!!
I’m so glad! Good luck!!
So I know I’m about three years late on this post…but I stumbled across your tutorial on Pinterest and just wanted to thank you! My boyfriend and I have been wanting to add some privacy curtains to the kitchen sink window without blocking the natural sunlight and this tutorial was perfect! I know nothing about sewing and had never heard of Heat n Bond before, so it was definitely a new experience, but it was super easy. We ended up buying a linen shower curtain from Target and trimming it to size. 🙂 Thanks again for sharing this awesome DIY!
Awww, I’m so glad that you found it helpful!! Sounds beautiful! =)
Great idea. I had some left over fabric from making chair covers. Now I can create a coordinating tea towel. Yay!
Thank you!! So glad you like how they turned out, and I hope yours turn out perfectly! I know they will 🙂
This may seem like a silly question, but where did you find the rod to put this on. What is one that small called?
Hi, Laura! The rod is a “café rod” from Target and is 28-48 inches long expandable. Hope that helps!
Did you do anything to the sides of the fabric?
Nope! Didn’t need to!
Well done !
Thanks!!
I loved the fabric. Where can I find this fabric ?
Thanks! I got the fabric at JoAnn’s.
Love this – thank you – I can’t stand the boring curtains they are selling and was looking for a way to do something different and hate sewing by hand and have no sewing machine!! I’m excited to make my own!!
So glad you like how they turned out!! Send pictures if you try out the tutorial 🙂 I think you’ll really love the results—and so easy, too!
Making these now for my classroom in the fall! Can’t wait!
Awesome! I’m so glad the tutorial inspired you!!