Young House Love

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Cutting Curtain Panels To Make More Curtains

Remember when we cut four curtain panels that we loved from Ikea (which were sadly discontinued) right down the middle to make eight of them for our living room? Well, here’s that story, but to refresh your memory, here are a few pics:

Curtains Side Tv Shot

Hydrangeas Curtains

We loved the added height, texture, and pattern that they brought to the room, but I always wondered if layering some breezy sheers in there someday might make my curtain-loving heart sing. You know, so they’d be fuller and airier and sort of layered and soft looking. So I lived without ’em for a while but kept my eye out for some cheap fabric or sheers that I thought might do the trick.

And then one day in Ikea… I pounced. Two already made 98″ curtain panels for $9 was enough of a deal to make me jump, so I grabbed four packs of white breezy curtains with my living room windows (and glass sliders) in mind. I wish I knew the name for you guys but the packaging got tossed before I could take note and I looked online and didn’t see anything that matched what I got (in price and look). I don’t think they’re Vivan panels since we had those in our last house and these are lighter/thinner, and they’re definitely not Lill curtains (those are super sheer and mosquito-net-y). Update: We think they’re called Wilma. Hope it helps!

Anyway, the first thing I did was toss the panels in the wash (to pre-shrink them so that when I hemmed them they wouldn’t later get washed and be too short if there was any shrinkage). Then I grabbed some ring-clips from Target (the same ones I used to hang the original 8 panels)…

Curtains Rings

When my sherr-ish panels came out of the dryer I cut the tab tops off (since I could just clip them along the top with my ring-clips to hang them). Oh the tab tops might be a clue if you’re looking for which curtains they are (if they have a rod pocket, like the Vivan panels, it’s not them).

Curtains Cutting Tabs

Then I hung them all up using the additional ring clips on the same curtain rod with the patterned panels. To make both curtain panels flow into each other I actually overlapped them a smidge with the ring clips.

Curtains Top

Basically the two left-most clips on the patterned panel below also have the white sheers clipped behind them. That way there’s no gap between the curtains and they all move as one unit (ex: if I pull the sheer out both curtain panels extend). Not that we move our curtains. Haha. They’re really more for softness and height. Especially in a giant room like this one – adding anything soft and breezy makes it feel less like a gymnasium and more like a real room.

Curtains Straight On

So I got past the tab-cutting/washing/hanging steps and then I stalled. I had been meaning to hem them and share them for a while but other projects and book stuff popped up so I left these guys unhemmed and a few of you even noticed them in posts like this one, to which I replied “ack, still have to finish that project and then I promise I’ll blog all about it!” Haha, which brings us to this post.

Curtains Iron

Yup, I finally hemmed them all using heavy-duty iron-on hem tape (Heat N Bond from Michael’s) which I did while they were still hanging right on the rod (see more about that method in this post). I just used a scissors to cut off the excess (there was actually about a foot of it on each one) while leaving an extra inch to accommodate the hem (so once it was hemmed up they’d just graze the floor).

Curtains Bottom

Don’t mind the dust bunnies. Let’s zoom out, shall we?

Curtains Desk Corner

It’s hard to really see the curtains when ya pan way out thanks to all the light coming in, but here ya go. We can’t wait to tackle a big media cabinet build, by the way. Probably after we conquer the kitchen…

Curtains Full Room 1

Curtains Full Room 2

Oh and for anyone wondering where the last two curtain panels hang (since it’s easy to see the other 6 in the pics above), we have this slider right off the living room so that’s where those live:

Curtains Fireplace Alley

Aw and look at Clara’s little homemade coloring desk. It’s been getting tons of action (she’s either cooking in her kitchen or going nuts with stickers and crayons at her table). Ah to be 20 months old and living it up with tiny furnishings and fake fruit.

But back to the curtains. I really like the breezy layered look and there’s something about a double dose of ring-hooks on each side of those curtain rods that feels kind of posh. At least to a weirdo like me. So that’s my pretty quick (except I took forever to hem them) curtain upgrade. What have you guys been clipping up/sewing/hem-taping these days?

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    Every single time I read your blog and it has to do with curtains, I get so jealous. I have been meaning to get to a fabric store and find something I love, but have been so chicken to do so.

    Any words of wisdom/inspiration?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ooh curtains can change a whole room! I say go for it! Just see what you like and don’t forget stores that sell ready-made curtains too (like Ikea) since they often can break down to $2 a yard! Oh and my other advice is ring clips! Then there’s no need to sew a pocket or tab tops if you DIY them. Good luck!

      xo,
      s

    • Stephanie says

      Thanks guys! I’m thinking this weekend is the weekend to get on the boat. I also like the idea of clips like you said; I’m not big on sewing.

      Thanks guys!

  3. Larissa says

    Looks great! I was wondering where your decorative vases on your side table and your above hanging mirror are from?

    Reply

  4. Lesley says

    I’m 99% sure those are the Wilma curtains from Ikea (the white sheer ones). I have them in my master bedroom and they also used to come in a beautiful hot pink (back when I was a much younger bachelorette). They look so great!

    Reply

  5. Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says

    I have about 8,000 of those same IKEA sheers that we had all over our house. Then we got real curtains, but I’ve wanted to add sheers to a few rooms. I just don’t want to buy new double curtain rods. Maybe this is the solution for us! Thanks!!!

    Reply

  6. Renee Smith says

    No way! I just bought 4 of those discontinued IKEA panels for $15 total in the as is section in Houston. LOVE THEM. I also don’t know how I missed your original post because I didn’t recognize them at all (and thought they were new) when I saw them in the bin!

    Reply

  9. Amy says

    I love it! It looks great filled out but it’s not over the top. I really wish we had an Ikea close by (Nashville), it would make my life easier ;)

    Reply

  11. laura says

    Well, I have the long curtains, I have the iron on tape, I have the dust bunnies! And mine have been in that condition for a long time too. I love the idea of adding extra the way you did….I can never find curtains wide enough, so this is a great idea!

    Reply

  14. Krystle @ Color Transformed Family says

    I love the added curtains and your creativity for hemming them while on the rod. These definitely kept with the light and airy feel of the room. I keep trying to envision what the entertainment center will look like. I know you probably already have several ideas in mind.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We flip flop between something like a large thrift store buffet turned media cabinet to something taller (like with base cabinets and shelves that are built in above them). We’ll have to see where we end up!

      xo,
      s

  15. Lauren says

    The curtains look great! I have actually been trying to convince my husband to get some sheers for our windows (we live in a condo in Chicago so we only have three in our entire place.) But Ryan is more about function than fashion and refuses to get curtains that “don’t actually curtain anything.”

    Oh and I did actually spend lots of my weekend sewing. I noticed one of Ryan’s shirts was missing a button and told him to just give me anything he needed sewed so I could do it all at once. I swear he just handed me every item of clothing in his closet.

    That boy loses buttons like it’s his job apparently.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we got it a while back and hung it in the kitchen for a while and then it got moved into the living room and the ORB one is in our bedroom! Mirrors move around a lot here. Haha.

      xo,
      s

    • Monica says

      Yeah, I was wondering about the mirror too. I’m obsessed with round mirrors these days. Hope to post about my DIY one soon.

      Curtains look great too! We have the original “lace” sheers from the previous owners on our sliders. I need to update but have never settled on what to replace the icky things with, now I’ll have to check out IKEA for sure!

    • betsy says

      So funny, I did a search on the word “mirror” in your comments just out of curiosity. I thought, oh, they are going to get a LOT of questions on that one. There are so many round mirrors out right now and I never like any of them enough to purchase. That white mirror – I like! a lot.

    • Sara says

      I was wondering about the mirror switch as well! The white one is gorgeous. Sounds like a mirror moving update post might be in your future!

  17. Aly says

    The room looks so classy yet still cozy! Love the white mirror over the desk – last I remembered it was the ORB mirror – when did you change it out?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      The white mirror that hangs there used to hang over the fireplace in the kitchen so I just swapped it out. The ORB one was in the kitchen for a while but is now in our bedroom. Mirrors are apparently like pillows in our house- haha – they’re nomads!

      xo,
      s

  18. MaryLea says

    My sweet hubby brought me new curtains from Ikea last night- he knows the way to my heart! I’ve been coveting them on Pinterest for a while now (Stockholm Blad – White linen with green leaves and berries) I think I’m going to have to use your no-sew/quick hem method and I love the way you do it while they’re hanging up — Genius!

    Now I want to add shears to the rest of our family room. : )

    Fondly,
    Pink and Green Mama
    MaryLea

    Reply

  19. Anna Hernandez says

    Just wondering if you’ve ever used the iron-on/bond stuff that comes with the Ikea curtains? Or is it always better to buy some heavy duty stuff? :)

    Reply

  20. Amy @ Lovely Nest says

    They look wonderful! They have a very soft/breezy feel which I really like! I have the same pattern curtains (alvine kottar?) in our guest room and I love them, but I really like the added drama of the sheers!

    Reply

  21. Raina@ Mamacita Spins The Globe says

    I love reading your blog and seeing what you are up to.

    And since you asked about hemming and sewing… definitely not house related, but we just made poster board banana leaf place mats that involved, cutting and sewing (think lacing cards for kids) for our Cuba Celebration that we are having at the end of the month. (we learn about a different country each month and do foods, crafts, etc then at the end we have a dinner and listen to music, and discuss what we have learned). Check them out if you’d like http://mamacitaspinstheglobe.blogspot.com/2012/01/banana-leaf-table-decor.html

    Reply

  22. Shelley says

    Love the additional curtains – the room’s looking swanky and sophisticated. I love watching it evolve over time. But my very favorite thing in the whole post are those awesome school chairs at Clara’s coloring desk! I want them. =)

    Reply

  26. Danielle says

    That link Brittany left for the Wilmas is Canadian (everything costs more for us!) If you follow the same link to the U.S. site, it says $12.99, but I have a feeling prices may vary depending on location! That would explain the cost confusion (looks like they only come in 98″ length)

    Reply

  27. Kirstin says

    Beautiful! I love the added texture & depth the new curtains add. I am also one to procrastinate hemming my ikea curtains, but it feels so good when they finally get done.

    By the way, what size throw pillows do you have on your couch? We just got a new one that’s low and modern like yours and our 20″ square pillows look kind of big and awkward. Any ideas on what we could do with all the old 20″ pillows?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think they’re 18″ or 20″. Maybe a few are smaller (the little green zebra ones are 15 x 15″ I think). Maybe try layering the old pillows with the new ones or using them in another room (on a bed for example)?

      xo,
      s

  28. Joanne says

    So pretty! These really do soften the room.
    And that WHITE MIRROR above the desk is one big fat stroke of FABULOUSNESS!

    Reply

  31. Michelle says

    very nice!

    Over the long weekend, my hubby and I replaced the carpet in the living room / hallway with laminate flooring. That was some job, but it looks great!!

    Anyway, you inspired me to use the clip rings for curtains in two of my rooms this weekend – the living room and the master bedroom. We moved in almost a year ago and used our old curtains with the curtain rods left by the former owners. Th combo was really bugging me- the curtains seemed pinched / choked at the top. I added rings so they hang beautifully and extend wider than the window. Ahhhh…. I can breathe! :)

    Reply

  32. Alanna says

    we’re in the process of diy-ing some roman shades using vinyl mini blinds. there are so many tutorials out there that make it look so easy. well, unfortunately it’s been anything but easy for us. not sure what the deal is, but no matter how many times we measure and double check everything they still seem to turn out just slightly crooked.

    Reply

  33. Lynn @ SafeBeauty says

    That turned out looking really classy. I have your tutorials all over this laptop for when it is time to put up and make all my window treatments. Oh man once our closing is done, Ikea won’t know what hit it.

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  34. Shannon @ Bungalow960 says

    Do you prefer the rings over the curtains with the tab tops/or just shoving it through the fabric hole (for lack of a better description)? I have some curtains in my dining room that constantly get stuck, pulling the rod down with them because they catch on fabric. I was thinking the rings might be a good idea. The curtains are a bit heavy though, could that be a problem?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I actually do love the ring clips. They’re easy to slide around and when you take things down to wash them you just unclip them (no need to remove the rod to get the curtains off). I think they’ll work with heavy curtains (the ones in Clara’s room are pretty thick and they work great- even with the blackout fabric layered behind them!

      xo,
      s

  35. Lizzy says

    Such a simple change that makes a big impact. Very pretty!

    Have you totally given up on your sewing machine? I bought a basic one about a year ago and my first few attempts were frustrating but now I love using it and will find any excuse to sew something!

    Reply

  36. LeeAnn says

    I used the same sheer cotton panels from Ikea in my living room. Just like you, I cut the tabs and hung them with clips. Two years later and seasonal washing/drying, they are holding up well. I know they won’t last forever, but for $10/window (we have 5 in our living room) it is an economical option.

    Reply

  37. Kate says

    Looks great – really softens up the windows, doesn’t it?

    I took on a very similar project this weekend. I bought 2 panels of plain ivory curtains from pottery barn and cut them in half so I had 4 panels to cover 2 windows. The panels were originally 50+ inches wide and my windows are only 35 inches wide so I have no need for 100+ inches of curtains on each window. I also added a band of green on the edge to make them less plain. Curtains really make a huge difference!

    Reply

  38. Allyn says

    I’ve been searching for great (and cheap) curtains for our bedroom (it’s wayyyyy too bright in there on Saturday mornings) and our living room. Now West Elm has some great shower curtains that I might buy and split, since that would equal about $20-$25 a panel when done. Hooray!

    Reply

  39. Lauren says

    I think that turned out really beautiful. I’ve been so anti-curtains for so long, but I think I was just more anti heavy upholstered valance type curtains. These totally make me want to try them in our living room. Question, we have a corner that has a window on either side. Would you just hang a curtain on the left of the left window and on the right of the right window? How would you deal with the corner? Hope that makes sense.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I like making corner window rods meet like they’re all one rod on a 90″ angle. We did that in our sunroom (with simple Ikea rods without any finials – just hung them so they met with four panels (two for each window). Looked nice!

      xo,
      s

  40. Justine says

    I LOVE those curtain clips. They currently live in two rooms in my apartment. Lord knows I can’t craft a loop to save my life, but a straight panel? THAT I can handle.

    Reply

  42. Nora says

    I know this post is about curtains but your couch totally makes me want to dive into all the pillows. We have the same couch and I noticed that the back cushions are getting all mishaped and smushed from leaning back on them. Do all the extra pillows help?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, I bet they do! We also (only about every two-three months) turn our back pillows around so they get equal wear and keep their shape a little better. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  43. Jo @ Let's Face the Music says

    I like that your curtains basically comtinue the wall color. The added fabric really bridges the gap between the walls and the windows. It’s so opulent now; lots of gathered fabric, I love it. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music

    Reply

  45. betty in munich says

    Thought of you guys the other day because I did the same cut one IKEA panel in half to make 2 panels for a window. I did it because the window I had was too small to take one whole panel. The curtains were the IKEA dark blue velvet and the thickness of the material in conjuction with the small window the panels just overpowered the window. So much better now cut in half. The problem is that I bought two curtains and had already taken them out of the package and thrown away the packaging….so I couldn’t return the extra curtain. But anyhow, I have an extra just in case for someday who knows what I might do with it.

    Reply

  47. Alyssa says

    Ok so I know I’ve read this before but…(I seem to have lots of questions these days) I know you like to hang curtains high and wide, but how high and how wide? Can you describe how you decide on that? My LR curtains have been hanging too low and too close to the window since we moved in and I know they need to be changed. Also, do you hang the rod first then measure the length needed or do you just buy a very long and wide panel or piece of fabric and then hem it down?

    Thanks:)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We just eye it. I have John get up on a chair or a step ladder and hold the curtain rod up. I just say “higher!” or “wider!” like the bossy gal that I am until I like it! It usually factors out to being about 12-18″ wider than the widow/door trim and about 8-10″ higher than the top of the trim (usually around 2-4″ below the ceiling in our 8′ rooms). So yes, we hang the rod first (making sure the panel is long enough to work there) and then hem it.

      xo,
      s

  49. Carol N. says

    Wish we had an Ikea close by. But I did have some curtains made for our dining room and just got the call last night that they are ready to be picked up – so we will be hanging those curtains this coming weekend for sure. The rest of the panels I will make but went with french pleats and extra trims on these so I wanted those turned over to the pros.

    Reply

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