Turn a vintage pillowcase into a fast, no-sew curtain.
Have you ever noticed that finishing one project seems to spark a whole new batch of projects and clutter?
Clutter drives me crazy, so I try to tackle projects as quickly as I can, a bit like the timing challenge I did with the Living Room Refresh.
That was the situation the day I set out to finish the last projects in the main bathroom. I was just trying to get the vanity organized when my husband came home for lunch and announced we had to leave for a camp errand in 1 hour!
Oh, mercy.
Instead of giving up on my goals for the day, I decided to speed up dramatically.
My to-do list that day included finding something to display or store by the tub and making a curtain for the window. The crate was already painted, so I moved on to the curtain while the paint dried.
To be honest, I'd been researching window coverings for this room for months. I'd pinned plenty of ideas to my Bathroom Pinterest board and even tried a few out to see what I liked.
How to Make a No-Sew Curtain
Why you might need a curtain
The problem was that I love having the window completely uncovered during the day. The bottom pane already has some privacy coverage, and I adore how much light comes streaming in.
At night, though, it was a different story.
I hated that dark hole of a window, and it always felt like people could look in. {They'd have to perch in a tree with binoculars to do it, but still…}
With my mind racing, I remembered an orphaned vintage pillowcase with lovely lace along one edge.
Step 1: Open up the pillowcase
It was folded over on one side, so I only had to open 2 seams. At first I tried to unpick them the “proper” way with a seam ripper, but the stitches were so tiny I couldn't even see them through my reading glasses. So I took a deep breath and grabbed the scissors…
and cut it open.
I held it up to the window, and sure enough, it fit perfectly!
Next I dug through my vintage stash for something I could use as loops. Ta-da! The perfect find:
Vintage bra straps!!! What???
I kept laughing at how ridiculous this project was, but I kept going…
Step 2: Cut 3 pieces of ribbon (or vintage bra straps!) to the same length, about 3.5 inches.
I ironed the straps (they look like muslin) and cut 3 pieces of equal length.
Step 4: Glue the ribbons to the top of the curtain to form loops, using Speed-sew adhesive.
Next I attached them as loops with Speed Sew (it's a glue!!), one at each end and one in the middle.
Step 5: Screw 3 cup hooks into the top of the window frame, one at each end and one in the middle.
A quick search turned up some brass cup hooks, which I screwed into the top of the window frame.
Step 6: Glue vintage lace around the edges with Speed Sew.
I didn't like seeing the raw fabric edge along the top, so I glued lace from my vintage stash across it.
Now during the day it can simply hang to the side of the window…
and at night we just hook it up!
Thank goodness for vintage bra straps…;) It seems the most creative (and crazy!) ideas come when you're working at breakneck speed, powered by desperation and determination!!
Other articles about vintage linens:
- Where to find vintage linen and what to do with it
- How to get the odor out of vintage linens
- A colorful Spring tablescape made with vintage linens
- Sew a Lavender Sachet from vintage linens
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