Friday, April 23, 2010

$8 Ruffle Curtain Tutorial

***I recently updated this tutorial going into more detail and showing how to make it with a queen sheet set.  You can find it HERE.  Thanks!***

Here's the instructions on how I made my super cheap ruffle curtain for our guest bedroom. Now you should be advised that I am no sewing pro, so most definitely anyone with an afternoon and a sewing machine can whip this up.

1. I started with 2 Flat Twin sheets. I purchased mine at Wal-Mart for $4 a piece. Make sure they are the flat sheets and not the fitted. Wal-Mart also has some other great colors like cream and pink if you want to change it up. You could also do this with just regular fabric, but I seem to get overwhelmed with large amounts of fabric in front of me. So the sheets are a good jumping off point.


2. Unpackage and iron out each sheet. Then begin cutting following these handy little guidelines I made for you. The grey area are the pieces that you will not be using.

Panel #1

Cut off the 4 inches hem at the top of the sheet (grey area) and discard or save for another project. Then cut 7 strips at 11 inches tall and 1 strip at 10 inches tall (this last strip already has a hem to it so it doesn't need to be as tall).

Panel #2



Cut out the main body of the curtain at 96 x 35 in. and set aside. Then cut out the remaining 2 strips for the ruffles with the side of the fabric making sure the first strip is 11 x 66 and the other is 13 x 66 (this last one needs to be taller because it will be the top ruffle and secured to the back of the curtain).

3. Now you have 10 ruffle strips and 9 need to be hemmed. I just did a quick fold over hem because we're short on fabric. *Also be sure to hem the two sides from the 2 strips you cut from panel #2*

4. With your hems in place begin sewing a loose and wide stitch on the top of each strip to ruffle. Then gently tug on the back string and bunch together to ruffle the whole strip. Repeat with all 10. Take a mandatory chocolate break...you're welcome!

5. Take your main curtain panel and hem the right side. For mine I laid out a few of my ruffles on top of it to gage how much to take in. Mine finished is about 33 inches wide. Just depends on how much ruffle you want.

6. Starting at the bottom of the panel get your ruffle just the right length so it will lay across the panel allowing room for a half inch to be folded in on the left and right sides of the ruffle. Pin and sew straight across.



7. Repeat with layering the remaing ruffles. It's best to work on one ruffle at a time making sure each ruffle covers the stitches on your previous ruffle. Don't stress out about getting each straight or lined up perfectly. The ruffles are very forgiving and just add more character to it.


8. Once you sew 9 ruffles. Take the main curtain body panel and fold over the top 4 inch hem and stitch a curtain rod pocket in the back.

9. Now your last ruffle should be the 13 in. wide one you cut from panel #2. Instead of sewing across the ruffle you'll be flipping it over and sewing inside of it on the very top of the back of the curtain panel so that when it flips over you won't be seeing a seam. Sorry I hope this part makes sense. Your finished curtain should measure about 33 x 92 in. once done.



10. Then Ohhh and Awwww over you fantastic curtain!


Feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you have questions about a step aboyagirlandapug {at} gmail {dot} com.

122 comments:

Allikaye's Mama said...

That's awesome! Thanks for the great tutorial! I can't wait to try them!

mk said...

Wow! I'm impressed. I def. did not get the crafty genes!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

So cute!! Wow - your tutorial is awesome!

XOXO
Jen

Whitney said...

Oh my. I don't know if I could do this at all. Looks great, though!

Anonymous said...

i LOVE this tutorial! and even better that it cost less than $10! soo cool! i totally want to make something like this one day!

Dugout Daisy said...

Your directions are so easy to follow!!! I can't wait to try to make these! Thanks so much for sharing!
:)

The Starr Family said...

Those are simply gorgeous... I'm thinking they would make a sweet addition to my daughter's room! And what a great tutorial... you made it look absolutely do-able! Thank you!

lucy said...

these are completely adorable( and look expensive!)

Unknown said...

Those are so sweet! Great tutorial!

burlap+blue said...

LOVE! These remind me of the Anthro shower curtains! So pretty...have a great weekend!

Angie Holden said...

Those are so perfectly shabby! Love em!!

Mandy @ mintnclandycreate said...

Beautiful! What a great tutorial too! I am planning on making a ruffle curtain for my little girls' room. Now, I may need to use sheets!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Sooooo stunning...luv this soft look! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Blessings,
Linda

Squirrel Leigh said...

What a cute project, and your tutorial is really helpful! Thank you for posting this, even my fear of sewing self feels inspired!

maribeth said...

oh, yummy ruffles. these would be lovely in my girls' room.

Frugal Home Designs said...

That is awesome! I am going to make these for my daughters closet. Thanks for sharing your tutorial. I am hoping over from the Shabby Nest-congrats on the feature.

Unknown said...

i agree with burlap and blue, this reminds me of the anthro shower curtain i've been wanting for over a year. if i just knew how to sew, i would totally make these.

JJ said...

these are so beautiful and will be perfect for my little girl's room i am in the process of decorating! thank you sooooo much! i will be sure to send you an email with the finished product:) thanks!!

stefanie said...

ta da!!! love them!!

Holly said...

This? Is pure awesomeness. LOVE it.

Lisa said...

YOU, ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND!

HUGS FROM MAINE

Mingz said...

How pretty...Thanks for sharing

Cassie said...

Absolutely fantastic!!!
I love this!!!
=)

Marcie @ DWYH said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marcie @ DWYH said...

Thanks for sharing, this is so cute! I would love for this to be on my linky party! :)

www.dontwasteyourhomemaking.com

Momma said...

Oh I love it! I might do one in black, gray and ONE stripe of red! Wouldn't that be fun? If I make it I will feature you on my little blog. THANKS!

Zoe said...

Thanks for the tutorial, I made a mini one and linked your tut. up here- http://xstitchandcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/06/mini-ruffle-curtain.html

Thanks again!!

Crystal said...

This is really great! TFS!

Mrs Average Bride said...

YAY! I've been looking for a tutorial on how to do this cheaply and still get the same quality as what you can get from Urban! Planning to do this for my photobooth backdrop for my wedding! THANKS!

PCovi said...

I have also wanted that Anthro shower curtain but can't turn loose of the money...this looks do-able! thank you...i'll phone a friend and see if i can talk her into it LOL.

Brandi said...

your curtains are absolutely gorgeous.

johnette said...

This is going to be Perfect for my daughters dorm room!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Mudeesa said...

I am in looove with this curtain. I saw a similar one at PBK today for $70 a panel and thought, I can do that! Thanks for the awesome directions. I am going to do different colored ruffles for my girl's room :)

Katie said...

New follower! Just found this posted on Pinterest, I LOVE these curtains. Been trying to figure out what to do in my daughters room, and these are perfect!
~Katie
www.punkinheadsanddoodaloos.blogspot.com

angela said...

Ahh, I'm ready to load up the kiddo and go to Wal-Mart to get some sheets! Thanks for this great tutorial! I'm going to need to make 3, but these are the first curtains I've loved for my room in almost 3 years! I can't wait! Thank you again!

melissa said...

these are so cute! I have been trying to decide how to redo the curtains in my daughters bedroom and ta-da I found out how! going to go out and get sheets tomorrow. I do have one question, do you think that blackout backing could be put on these?

Hello. said...

I own that Anthro shower curtain that others have mentioned, and although I still adore it, I do wish I'd seen this tutorial before I paid all that cash for it a few years back! Definitely going to make bedroom curtains from your tutorial. Thanks!

Lindsey Jones said...

Oh, man- I was shopping for curtains and about to buy some expensive ones at anthro. You just totally made me realize that I shouldn't do that! I can easily make some! Thanks! :D

Unknown said...

Maybe in the 3 year olds room...awesome!

Lori said...

Thanks for the inspiration!! I loved it and made one for my daughter's room.

http://loriandkyle.blogspot.com/2011/10/home-projects-week-livias-room.html

Bruce said...

Thanks for a great post
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Marion said...

Great directions. I'm going to modify this to make some shabby chic covers for my chairs. Thanks for sharing!!

Gina Rodriguez said...

this is amazing! thank you so much!!!!! I will do this!

Christina Pfeiffer said...

You could cut out all the pieces and then dye them with RIT dye! This is a great idea..thanks for sharing.

TYRaines said...

Just found your curtain tutorial and my daughter already wants me to make these for her. I think I'll buy a ruffler attachment for my sewing machine first!

Heaven's Walk said...

I just LUV this idea! Thank you for the great tutorial! Michelle over at Emerald Cove Jewelry mentioned your blog and this tut, so I had to pop over to see if it was easy enough for a complete "non-sewer" to handle. I just may be able to do this....! :)

xoox laurie

terrid614 said...

absolutely adorable! i love them!

Darla F said...

I have been saving this link and saving it so I could come back here and tell you........ I FINISHED IT!! I made a shower curtain after I saw one in a store for $80 and googled around and found your solution! I just modified my measurements by a tad bit (it's a stand alone shower). This was much much easier than I cold have anticipated. Thank you!!

MrsKClark said...

Just purchased my sheets from Walmart! So excited to try this! Wish me luck! Thank You for posting! :)

Cheri said...

this is just what I was looking for. Thanks!

Vickie said...

I'm thinking how cute this would be with alternating ruffle colors (think about a nursery with pastels of yellow/green/pink/blue!). Great tutorial! Thanks

Lynette said...

Where do you buy the small curtain rods?

Leilani said...

Gonna do this as soon as I get the time! Love it! :) Thanx for posting the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Found you when I was looking for a ruffled curtain tutorial. Love it! Can't wait to try it for my two youngest daughter's bedroom. Following you now. Would love it if you follow back:) http://www.applesandpnutbutter.blogspot.com

amaclin said...

I found you on Pinterest. I am SO doing this for my guest room! I LOVE IT!

Unknown said...

So cute!!!! I just have one idea to help. When you ruffle sew one line and then sew a second line guiding 1/4" This helps lay flat when you are trying to sew all the ruffles together. I will be making these for my daughters room.

Kathy said...

These are just beautiful! And a great tutorial. The only suggestion I would offer is to prewash the sheets before you make the curtain. That way the material shrinks BEFORE you make the curtains.
I think I'll suggest these to my daughter for her daughter's room. Just beautiful!

care-in said...

I've had this pinned for a while and finally giving it a try. I won't need them as long but I have to make two. I think it's the perfect addition to my girls' room.

Anonymous said...

I found you on Pinterest and I can not wait to make this for our Master room. BEAUTIFUL :)

Unknown said...

These will be perfect for my new baby room :-) Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! Thanks for sharing this. Those ruffle curtains are so gorgeous!

x

www.thethriftylookbook.blogspot.co.uk

Stef said...

Just a quick tip to save some sanity. Do a double row of loose stitching instead of 1. Pull the upper threads together to make the ruffles. The ruffles will be easier to work with and if one row has a break you have the backup stitching to work with.
These are great curtains!

MommaLuv said...

Love, Love, Love.

Unknown said...

Impressive! I always wondered how would ruffles make as curtains.. But they look awesome!

Unknown said...

Impressive! I always wondered how would ruffles make as curtains.. But they look awesome!

Carpet

Sharon Li said...

These curtains are so cute! :) Can you do a video tutorial? Just want to see if I mess up on any of your steps. Love the curtains by the way!

Unknown said...

Love this tutorial. My teen was searching for a ruffle bed throw, curtains,ect. and now we are going to save hundreds $$. She's now dusting her sewing machine and will be making these for her room. xoxo

supercheta said...

having not sewn in over 15 years this was awesome. my curtains turned out mega sloppy and def don't look like yours but it was a lot of fun! the only thing i couldn't figure out was the main thing: the ruffling. i tried forever with the sewing machine (setting the stitch widest) but ended up doing it by hand...hence the sloppy job. but i'll figure it out one day - thanks!

m said...

This should definately be a DIY for the ruffled curtain by Urban Outfiters. Do you think this could be turned into a duvet cover too?

josephine said...

I don't know how pinterest knew I wanted a ruffled shower curtain, but this showed up on my home page, and I am sooo grateful. My sister's ruffled shower curtain cost well over a hundred dollars. I finally found one at Bed Bath and Beyond but it was, you know, well over a hundred dollars. Hers was sewn with different colors of thread on each tier, all white fabric, and it was lovely. This gives the same effect and I am grateful.

suzanne said...

Making these now! So cute!

Kelly said...

Thank you! I really enjoyed this. My first project without big messups!!

mrs. c said...

Great post! I really like this curtain and I appreciate the time you took to create this step-by-step tutorial.

Unknown said...

I have been really impressed by going through this awesome blog. Bring Style To Your Bedroom

Tammy Woodall said...

This curtain is so cute. My daughter is going off to college this weekend and she and I made this curtain for her apartment. You gave great instructions, very easy to follow. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I just finished making these panels for my shower curtains! Turned out amazing and alot cheaper than the $180 one I wanted from Anthropology! Thanks for the easy to follow instructions, this was my very first sewing project!

Unknown said...

Thank you for this tutorial. I was just talking with a friend yesterday about making some ruffled curtains for her daughters bedroom, and the power of the sharing universe has provided. On Pinterest I have seen 3 photos already this morning with ruffled curtains and your lovely tutorial on how to make them. So thank you, thank you, thank you!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for this great tutorial! I fell in love with the white ruffle curtains on the pottery barn website, but they are so expensive. Now I'm off to make them for way cheaper!

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial! I might try to dye the ruffles for an ombre effect.

Jen said...

This is probably a crazy question, but do you think I can use this for a ruffled blanket in a girls room? This is such a great tutorial. Can't wait for this artic blast in Chicago to end so I can go to Wal Mart. THanks!!

Rachel said...

Used your tutorial to make curtains for my baby girl's room. Thanks for the great instructions. I'm linking you in my blog post about it. Thanks again :)

http://www.twowongsmakearight.com/2014/02/diy-ruffle-curtains.html

Unknown said...

I also have been trying to decide how to redo the curtains in my daughters bedroom and ta-da I found out how! going to go out and get sheets last week. I think if it was easy enough for a complete "non-sewer" to handle. I just may be able to do this.
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Unknown said...

This looks pretty easy. So for a wide window I would do two of these?

Unknown said...

Great tutorial! So I'm 13 and I was planning on doing this for my new room , only problem ..... My mom and I cannot sew things even if our life depended on it. Is there a simpler way to do this?

Unknown said...

Love this! I have a serger so the hemming and ruffles will take even less time! I'll be making this for my niece's new room, and maybe even a big one for my dining room! Thanks!

Hinrich said...

Here's the instructions on how I made my super cheap ruffle curtain for ... thermalcurtains.blogspot.de

Almost crunchy said...

I just wanted to point out that the Pottery Barn curtains have 16 strips of ruffles, which works out to 6 inch strips. I personally like the smaller ruffles so that's what I am doing. I also did 44" panels as that is what the Pottery Barn panels measure. I bought some white muslin from the fabric store for $1.79/yd in a 44" width so I only had to cut the length and hem the length not all the way around. It is a great tutorial though! I highly recommend a ruffler foot for your machine if you want to save some serious time and headache. It will ruffle the strip and attach it to the panel layer at the same time. I bought mine at Joann's for $15.

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Curtains and Drapes said...

These curtains are great deal! These curtains are really nice. The quality is good, especially with the panel on the back. Really blocks out sun. They are a great price for the product.

J Shaver said...

Love these. We're literally making them today. Quick question: do I hem both sides of each ruffle strip?

Kim Lavoie said...

Do you know how you extend the length? We have 10ft ceilings and I would love a lot more coverage. This is such a cute idea.

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