Ruffle Curtains Tutorial - Find it, Make it, Love it

I was dying to take down the blinds in my living room and put up some curtains. Blinds are just so blah. Unless you have gorgeous plantation shutters, curtains are such a better option-they are brighter and prettier and cozier. My plan was to find some sheets I loved and turn them into curtains. (This is a trick I use all the time for the backs of quilts, bedspreads, and of course, curtains. Sheets are less expensive than fabric, and most often, the perfect size for these kinds of projects.) I spotted a picture of some Anthropology knock off curtains and was sold! ( I could not track down the original link I saw.) Then one happy day, I was at a local thrift store and spotted a whole pile of King size white sheets. They looked nearly new for $4.99 each. I scooped 2 up and might have done a back flip if I could because I just scored some curtains for 10 bucks!

The How to:

Cut the sheet into panels based on your window measurements, making sure to leave about 1 inch on each side and bottom for hemming; and about 6-8 inches on the top for the curtain rod pocket. Hem the edges and bottom of the panels. (We’ll hem the top later.) Next, cut strips 6 inches wide and about twice the length of your panels. These will be the ruffles. In my case, I had 4 panels each 3 feet wide. I cut 2 strips per panel.

To make the pleated ruffles:

Mark the center of the strip with fabric chalk or pins. The sheets I used happen to have faint stripes so I was able to use them as my guide. Then run the strip through your sewing machine pinching and folding to create pleats.

It was pretty quick to bust out all 8 of my ruffle strips.

When your done, the strip will look like this.

Next, measure and pin the ruffle strips onto the panels.

Sew the strips onto the panels, sewing right down the middle (over the previously sewn line.)

Once all the ruffle strips are sewn to the panels, hem the top, leaving a pocket for the curtain rod.

To get the ruffles good and messy, use the steam setting on your iron to steam them and then scrunch.

And now I’ve got to show one little before picture, to demonstrate the difference these curtains have made. My husband was very hesitant to take down the blinds because of privacy. So we originally left the blinds up, hung the curtains, and then opened all the blinds to do a test. I had to dance all around in front of the window, at night. while he stood outside to check how much he could see. Good news! He totally could not see my sweet moves, so down went the blinds. More good news! Jay is completely sold on the curtain idea, he has asked when I’ll get curtains to replace the blinds in the kitchen. Um…. mini dream come true, the husband requesting such a thing. : )

BEFORE: