Quick & Easy, No-Sew Cafe Curtains | i should be mopping the floor
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Quick & Easy, No-Sew Cafe Curtains


WARNING: If you're an avid sewer, do not read this post. You'll shriek in horror at the things I do to fabric. And you'll shake your finger at my flippant measuring, cutting and method for creating a window treatment. And you'll probably go away thinking I really need a clue. So, if you're of the needles, bobbins, threading sort...I still want you to like me, so don't read this. Okay? Okay.


Where we began...I had these valances that I attached with my granny's old door knobs. I liked it for about a month. And then I just thought it looked kind of sloppy and was constantly apologizing for it.

And I'm pleased to say that it now looks like this! 
{I still need something up top...maybe a cornice, or just a piece of art or something.}


The closed version. 


I started by hanging my hardware (I was actually kind of proud of myself...I didn't need the hub's help!)

One tip we always end up needing...always close your drains when working with hardware around your sink...you can see why! ;)



I determined from the size of my window that I wanted a little less than 24 inches in length. To cut my fabric, I laid it out on my tile floor (my tiles are 12", so this works for me). I can let my scissors stay in the grout groove to stay on track. This is how I always measure fabric. It's weird, but it works for me. 

After the large piece was cut, I simply folded it in half and cut it in two. 
These will be your two panels.

Use one of the panels and decide where you want to "hem" your fabric to give you the size you're after. 
(It's all super technical... not.)


Grab your trusty hot glue gun. And throw down the glue that will hold your "hem" together. And try not to think too terribly of me for treating fabric this way. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. 
--
My mom is probably reading this and gathering up her sewing machine to head my way...in complete horror. God bless her...it's not for her lack of trying that I don't sew. She sent me to sewing classes and camps when I was growing up. The best thing I turned out was a heinous bathrobe and about three dozen scrunchies to match every outfit I owned (it was the eighties...and scrunchies were about all I cared about fabric wise). I did buy a sewing machine when I graduated from college. I had high hopes of becoming an amazing seamstress. I never even turned the thing on before trading it with a friend for a Pack N Play, five years later during my first pregnancy.


 The trick is to make it look like you didn't just hot glue your curtains (I mean really, what proper woman would take hot glue to curtains?) One way to fake this is to get a crisp, clean corner. Watch for overlaps and thoroughly glue it down under each fold.
 
Once you've "hemmed" three sides, stop.

Go ahead and hang it on your clips to see where you'd like the bottom to be hemmed. You won't need all the clips right now...just enough to get a good idea of where you're at.

Pin a few pins to mark the length. Remove the piece from the clips.

Cut off your excess fabric and create the hem with your hot glue. 
Duplicate this panel with the other piece of fabric. (I lay mine on top of each other to create a template).

Once you're done, hang them up! 
Be sure to look for stray glue strings...those are a dead give-away of your folly, friend.  

I went ahead and removed my blinds (much to my husband's dismay). I loathe cleaning them and now the windows were sufficiently covered for privacy.

Again, I'm still looking for the perfect thing for the top of the window...but it will get there! I'm just glad to finally be working on the kitchen again. Now if Ikea could just get in their butcher block countertops, I could start on my island revision!  










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23 comments:

  1. I absolutely LOVE that fabric! and they look so easy to make!! -Jessica

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  2. These turned out so cute!! You make it look so easy! I love how cafe curtains allow so much more light into a room! Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  3. Love this - I am going to have to try this!

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  4. The fabric is a great choice! very fun!

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  5. First of all, I love the title of your blog! Also, your method of cutting fabric is a fabulous idea! Those curtains are super cute!
    Nancy

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  6. If you ask me you could not have picked a better fabric it's gorgeous! I have the perfect window over my sink for these too... AND I have the perfect fabric!! It's a piece I've been saving since I was a teenager because I new I'd find an awesome project for it.. Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  7. My Mom and Aunties sew incredibly well and so does my sister, not me. That gene got misplaced when i came along. This is super duper cool, thank you for sharing. PS I found you through Saved by Love Creations (Thrifty Thursday).

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  8. I very RARELY measure... it gets me in trouble sometimes; but I just laugh and/or cry, rework it & go with it. Thanks for being so HONEST! and helpful. I love your blog (I'm new again to the DIY & loving it)

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  9. Oh my gosh! This is my kind of sewing project! (I just got out my sewing machine after a 12 year hiatus!!) Your curtain is beautiful and so is your blog. Thanks for inspiring me this morning and I'm happily following you via GFC. Can't wait to see what's next. Saw you at It's a Hodge Podge Life.

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  10. Hi Kristi
    What a great idea! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your color choice, too! I'd Love for you to come share it in The Mommy Club and or any of your other fun ideas! I saw this on Kitchen Fun With My 3 Son!

    http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/04/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-40/

    Have a great weekend! Crystal

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  11. You had me at no sew! I'm definitely sewing challenged! I love fabric and the glue gun hems. Thanks too for the tile measuring tip! Genius really! I'd love it if you'd share this at my new linky party starting on Teusday April 24th!
    Www.kathewithane.com

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  12. Loving the fabric, and it is a great idea! But hot glue? Girl don't know if I could do that, but they look gorgeous. Very cute curtains and look so nice in your kitchen. Thanks for showing us how. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay.

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  13. They are so cute I love the print!

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  14. Oh Kristi! You naughty, naughty girl!! Since I am one of those thready, bobbiny sort of girls, I do get tired of seeing everyone just taking shortcuts - but honestly, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!! And I am a HUGE fan of a 'get 'er done' attitude - so great job!!! Thanks for linking up at the Sassy Sunday party!

    XO - Jen

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  15. Krisi...your disclaimer at the top of your post had me laughing! I think we can all relate to shortcuts...a job well done :) Thanks for sharing at Dwell on Friday!

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  16. Do you mind telling where you got the fabric? LOVE IT!!!

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  17. I want to try this .this will be utilization of time and interesting.

    Curtains

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  18. Hi there! I hope you don't mind but I used this post as inspiration for my own curtains:) I used your picture and linked back to your blog. (Hope thats okay...if not let me know and I'll be happy to take it down.)
    Thanks!
    http://ohbabyc.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-sew-cafe-curtains.html

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  19. I just found your blog and I am already hooked!
    I saw this fabric (or something extremely close to it) at Hobby Lobby and told my hubby I wanted it for kitchen curtains. It is such a happy print.
    Looking forward to investigating your site more!

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  20. I have a hand painted quote on a rough board hanging over my window. I love it. I can see that on yours! : )

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  21. Thanks for sharing your quick, easy and creative solution! Where did you get the rings with clips?

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