Monday, September 12, 2011

Short Curtains and a Pin Hook Tutorial

After many successful attempts at stalling, I managed to finish the curtains for Madeline's room.  No, they don't touch the ground.  Yes, this was on purpose.  


When I made the decision to try short curtains I knew it was a risk but, if it worked, one that would save me a lot of money.  Those savings would allow me to spend more accessorizing in other ways.  Lucky for me, they turned out and I still have a large portion of my small budget to spend elsewhere in her room.

I wrote a little here about Madeline and I disagreeing over the color palette for her room.  My pick was coral, turquoise and yellow.  Her pick was purple and…purple.  Mean li'l mom that I am, I immediately broke her heart by saying no purple.  I saw this fabric, though (and because I'm nothing if not kind-hearted, fair and generous…real mom-of-the-year type stuff ),  I immediately knew it would work to add a little.  The purple running through the drapery fabric is subtle and such a pretty color.  (You can see it better in these photos).  When I brought the fabric home, I got squeals of delight and a very dramatic, "You're the best mom ever!"  

I purchased two of these curtain rods for $10 at a local thrift store over 2 years ago and finally get to put one to use!  I started by spraying it with Rustoleum's brass spray paint.


I'm not a big fan of the oh-so-popular clip rings, but I also didn't want to spend a lot of time on these, so I decided pin hooks were the way to go.


Then I used Britt from Gus and Lula's nifty shower curtain ring trick.


These plastic shower curtain rings are only a dollar and once they're sprayed, you'd never know they weren't the real thing.



I had some leftover rings from the roman shade and attached those to the shower curtain rings so it would pivot and hang correctly.


Then I attached the rings to the pin hooks.


I placed a pin hook 1/2" from each end and then every 7 1/2" in between.


The panel and lining were sewn using the method from the pinch pleated drapes tutorial.


This is my styling assistant, Isabelle, who insisted that she wasn't tired and wasn't in need of a nap.
I beg to differ.



I'm in the process of sewing a duvet cover and pillows for her bed.  More on that later this week!




What do you think?  Would you try short curtains in your home?  If you're thinking not, maybe you'll change your mind after reading through the cost breakdown.

Cost breakdown (tax not included):
main fabric (4 yards): $24
lining (4 yards on sale): $12
rod: $10
rings: $2.40
pin hooks: $2 (the heavy duty ones can be found at your local upholstery store)

Which makes a total of $50.40!

P.S.  Have you read Emily A. Clark's article on this new curtain trend in the most recent House of Fifty?

22 comments:

  1. I'm curious to know why you didn't want her to have purple in her room.

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think they look beautiful! I LOVE that print, and I love it with the brass. Very sophisticated.

    I have short curtains in my son's room. It's the smart move. Otherwise the kids are always stepping on them, playing in them, hiding under them, pulling them off the wall (I have long curtains in the girls' room, it happens every day!)

    Especially in a place like that, where you really wouldn't see the long ones behind the bed anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the fabric. Not sold on the short...yet - you always convince me, though!

    Do you know who makes the fabric?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I LOVE short curtains in "kid" spaces- After what seems like harmless hide and seek - and ending in a bent curtain rod- I have shortened my kids' curtains!

    The fabric you chose is gorgeous! Love the brass accent with it - you have such a great vision!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super cute... love the idea of spray painting shower curtain clips.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Natty, the curtains look great I love the fabric. I can't wait to see the room finished :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. They look lovely! I can't believe you made them. I am in awe!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for the love, friends!

    Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  9. I actually prefer shorter curtains in a bedroom longer ones dragging on the floor irritate me they belong in a sitting room. Love the fabric & thanks for the tutorial. I have a give away right now to celebrate Finsihing Touch Interiors 1st birthday pop on over

    ReplyDelete
  10. I looove this fabric! Can I ask where you got it? I am hoping Joanne's.....it is the only fabric store near me and I would love to use this in my foyer b/c it is orange and it would look great as pillows!

    P.S. short curtains rule and make a space less formal, which is how a kids room should feel!

    reposhture.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love them, they add a great punch of color and pattern against the white walls and being short, they add a playful quality to the room! Thanks for the shout out to HOF as well, posting your project on the HOF Blog tomorrow. More great stuff from you!
    Janell

    ReplyDelete
  12. Erika- 5th Avenue Designs makes the fabric.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was happy to see your short curtains. I am contemplating the same length for our master bedroom. I guess that length is acceptable for a bedroom. I will now get started on making my short curtains.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think the short curtains look great & I love how simple you made it with the hooks. I'd love for you to link up to my new linky party -

    Creative Genius @ http://www.thecreativepaige.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. The fabric is lovely, it looks really nice with the colour of the room and so does the brass accent :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your curtains look great. I think I am going to have to use short curtains in the living room. It's not my first choice but my dogs are destroying mine.

    Ruth

    ReplyDelete
  17. We always had short curtains in the kids rooms. I think they look just fine, are cost effective and as someone mentioned, the kids aren't wrapped up, etc. in them. Surely that counts as a safety measure? ;)
    The room is looking good!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just found this, in search of how to hang my beautiful new drapes I had made from an Etsy shop - THANK YOU for such a great tutorial (whether I use the curtain rings or not!). ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. The short curtain and pin hook has been shared in the post here. Good post

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi,

    I was wondering whether the spray paint on the rings hasn't scratched off by now, and how many coats you applied.

    TIA

    ReplyDelete
  21. They're holding strong and look great! I applied a primer and two coats of paint.

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's awesome to visit this web page and reading the views of all mates regarding this paragraph, while I am also keen of getting knowledge.

    Feel free to visit my web blog payday loans
    My page :: payday loans

    ReplyDelete