Home Stories A to Z

Creating beauty out of chaos and sharing my home decor stories

Making Curtains Longer

I am putting some fanal final touches on my master bedroom.  It has taken me way longer than I ever anticipated it taking, but it has been the most fun room I have decorated to date.  I am LOVING the way it is coming together, and I think you will too.  
This lovely fabric below was purchased at Joann’s and was absolutely perfect for the look I wanted.  I wanted something “toile-esque” but not toile, feminine but not frooy. This was it.  (Oh, and in case your wondering, my bamboo shades came from the Christmas Tree Shop for $12.99 each.  They are 34 inch blinds!  I went back to buy up some more and they were sold out.  Drat!)

There was just one tiny problem with my fabric.  A 4 inch problem to be exact.  It just wasn’t cut the right length.

I am an idiot when it comes to math and cannot for the life of me measure correctly.  No problem though. What I lack in my math skills, I make up for in ingenuity.  I’ll just attach some ribbon at the top to lengthen the panels.  I just folded the material and clipped it randomly to look sort-of pleated in a semi-quasi-Nester-fashion.

There now.  Did that work? Gah!  No.  It did not.  They are still not touching the floor and to me curtains simply must either skim or puddle on the floor.  These are neither skimming, nor puddling, they are puddle-jumping.  I don’t want puddle jumper curtains!!!

Let’s try this again.  No time to mess with a sewing machine or hem tape tonight!

A little 4 inch ribbon and Mr. Trusty Gluegun later and we have aaahhhhh…finally…soooo much better.

I have one more curtain to mess up finish before I can check window mistreatments off my list.  And then next up are pillows, and then picture hanging, and then maybe a chair redo, and then DONE!  

Linking up with these fun parties:


Keeping It Simple
The DIY Show Off

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Comments

  1. ellymae says

    I stumbled on this by accident and I’m really exicted about your idea! It’s absolutely gorgeous. My question is do think this could be done with sheers? I have some sheers that are embroidered all over with leaves and vines, so they are heavier than regular sheers. I’ve attached them with rings, too. I want to add a similar fabric (just a little heaiver) to the top and bottom. Do you think I should go with a ribbon instead of the fabric? It’s silky and embroidered with colored vines, etc. Thanks for your advice! I hope mine turn out half as pretty!

  2. The DIY Show Off says

    What a clever idea! I love the fabric too! Thanks so much for sharing your ingenuity in the DIY Project Parade!

    Roeshel 🙂

  7. Marianne@Songbird says

    Been there with the curtain shortness disaster. Your solution was quicker and easier. The look like they were intended that way!

  8. Mandi @ Finding Home says

    I absolutely love this idea! They look so completely custom and richy rich. I'm definatly tucking this in the back of my mind for when I work on curtains in my house. I'm secretly glad your fabric was too short bc this idea is so fab! 🙂

  9. Shel at Dreamy Nest says

    Fabric scares me – but seeing this makes me want to play with it. I love your curtains – and the ribbon really adds the oomph to it! Love it!

  10. Design Esquire says

    In the end they turned out amazing! I love the trim. I made drapes this last weekend, and the measuring and cutting was the hardest part for me. I cut wrong the first time, but luckily, I cut too long so it was an easier fix.

  11. Creative Decor by Brooke says

    I have a similar problem in my master bedroom. I have solid chocolate brown panels so solid ribbon probably won't work but I love the idea. I can't believe you used the glue gun. I wish you could have shown how exactly. Because it really looks good. Anyway, I think it is a great look, it added alot of character.
    Brooke

  13. Kimba says

    I love it! What a fantastic fix.

    The funny part is that I have a post in my drafts about doing something similar to the curtains in my son's room for the same reason.

    I like yours better. 😉

  15. Jennifer Juniper says

    I love quick, easy fixes like this! I walked around for a year with my too short curtains thinking no one really noticed until Nester slapped me back to reality 🙂

    Great fix for yours!

  16. Heather@PixieDust says

    the ribbon adds so much polish – i love it!
    I have definitely learned that curtains look a a lot better when there is a mix of fabrics and trims.

  17. HouseMama says

    That is the perfect solution! It looks even better with the ribbon. What a beautiful touch.

  18. Matt and Staci says

    I like the fabric even better with ribbon at the top and bottom…they look great! I LOVE that chandelier-can't wait to see the rest!

  19. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    Ack! I love it and I love that chandelier! I know I've seen it here before, where is it? LOVE. I have a similar ribbon project I'll show this week…I adore that chocolate brown!!

  20. Jemsmom says

    Love that fabric and look at you, Miss Clever Thang!!! I love that you have the ribbon at the top and bottom. Makes your curtain look custom made!

  21. Sylvia (at) Lily's Pad and Petals says

    Your fabirc is gorgeous and love the contrast of the ribbon against the print.
    Sylvia

  22. Chris says

    Oh my LORD, you are brilliant! That fabric is gorgeous, and it was practically begging for that ribbon! What a perfect combination! Can't wait to see the rest of the room!

  25. Leanne says

    Beautiful fix for the curtains. I love the fabric too! I can't wait to see the whole room.

  26. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    Love it! I think it makes them pop! 🙂 You gotta love those oopsy moments that are actually blessings!

  27. Micah-Noel says

    Great! I think the lovely brown ribbon just adds to its niceness. 🙂 I am a big fan of ribbon, though, so I think everything automatically looks better with some ribbon added. 🙂

  31. Kaysi says

    What a great solution! I LOVE the brown on the bottom and the rings, it really just adds so much!

  33. Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says

    You're so smart! Love the choice you made, too.

    Wanna come do mine now?

  34. Carrie says

    Oh, what I would not GIVE to be this far along in my decorating! Ugh! Love it! So friggin' jealous! :o)

  37. Laura PARING DOWN says

    Beth,

    That's gorgeous fabric, and I LOVE the more custom look it gives to add the ribbon at the top AND the bottom. It looks great – I'm looking forward to seeing your reveal!!!

  38. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    I love that fabric, Beth! I think you handled the length issue very well. The ribbon makes for a nice contrast against the fabric, too.

  39. Jenglamgirl says

    Look at you, what a spectacular IDEA! love it! love the curtains too. The chandelier is gorg. can't wait to see more…. my ROOM IS on my TO DO LIST! I want to redo so much. Thanks for your sweet visit too. Have a great evening. Jenn

  40. Lorie says

    I like the idea of adding it to the top better than the bottom. I have seen people add large chunks of fabric to the bottom and I don't love the look.

    But the thinner ribbon on top and bottom makes it look more uniform, and more like it belongs there!

    Love it!

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