DIY Easy Curtains & Closet Inspiration

The last time that I had sewn "home-decor" was in 7th grade Home-Ec. It was a shiny hot-pink heart-shaped pillow with lace trim. It turned out "wicked awesome" and made it's home on my water bed throughout high-school until my water bed was popped by a dangl-y iridescent feather earring. Soooo, that's how long it's been.

Inspired by Jaime's beautiful curtains but not quite ready to take on the living room, I decided to start with the closet. Yes, we have windows in our closet. Windows, just letting all my frocks bathe in that hot Texas sun. Weird, right?

And now, every time I open the closet, I smile at the pretty bit of happy birdie fabric looking down at me. Decorating a space that hardly anyone will see is such a fun project. It's truly a little something just for you.

Here are a few pieces of inspiration for decorating a hidden space.


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and a DIY for those easy-peasy curtains after the jump...

Measure you window, rounding up 1/4" for flat panels that fit inside the window frame, or more if you would like them to gather & hang below the window base. The second option is a bit more error-proof for a first project, but the first option looks sharper.

Add 6" to your horizontal measurement and 7" to your vertical measurement

Cut a square piece of fabric to this measurement. This is tricky, and much easier with a cutting mat, clear ruler and rotary cutter but any right-angle tool will help immensely.

On both the left and right side of your square, with back side of fabric up, fold over 1 1/2", pin through back, iron seam, fold over 1 1/2" again, pin and iron seam again.

Using a medium length straight stitch, sew along the length of the seam, 1/4" from the inside fold. repeat on other side.

Now for the bottom: with back side of fabric up, fold over 1 1/2", pin through back, iron seam, fold over 1 1/2" again, pin and iron seam again.

And for the top: with back side of fabric up, fold over 2", pin through back, iron seam, fold over 2" again, pin and iron seam again.

Once again, using a medium length straight stitch, sew along the top length of the seam, 1/4" from the inside fold. repeat on the bottom.

Iron curtain and hang using a tension rod. So easy!