So, I copied my drop cloth curtains from an earlier project... check out the basics of how to make drop-cloth curtains here. I did add a lot of fancy-shmancy additions to this version though....
I added valances, as well as a few different fabrics to use horizontally through the drapes. The horizontal lines draw your eye from my horizontal striped foyer & hallway (see here)... which I love.
Here are a few sketches that I did pre-project...
this map of measurements made shopping for fabric & drop cloths much easier...
Since I already gave a brief run-through of how to make the drapes... I am fast-forwarding to the valances...
Here are a few shots of the process of how I hung the valances.... I purchased 2x4's and had them cut to the necessary length for each window. I used small "L" brackets to hang the 2x4's.
here is the 2x4 resting on the "L" brackets. Another thing... notice the lovely rod... it was THE cheapest option at Bed Bath & Beyond... so they came home with me... after all, they will be covered! I also considered PVC pipe as a cheap option...
So, then I did this... I took the rectangle shape for the valance and gave it a 1 1/5" hem... and then I did something very fancy & upscale... I glue-gunned the drop cloth directly to the 2x4 while it hung... (yes, I know this was very dangerous of me, and slightly odd, but it adhered beautifully...) I THEN decided to "trim as I went"... so, the edges are rough, but with a hit of the glue gun, nobody would ever know.
Here it is before I trimmed the excess fabric...
Here is a reminder of how the living room looked pre-draperies...
and again..
and now... here is an image to show the great silk patterned fabric that I found, and the solid yellow is a soft linen.
and... ta-da!
ta-da again!
look at how the pattern from the drapes ties in so beautifully to my rug!
Whew! I never thought they would be complete! Hope you all have a great monday!
these are stunning! you are so very inspirational :) I have some rooms/windows in desperate need! Where do you buy your dropcloths? what sizes do they come in?? And I have floor to ceiling drapes in Stella's room...my rods are spray painted conduit pipe with cabinet nobs glued and doweled in the ends...noone is the wiser :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the sweet comments Sarah! You can buy drop cloths at Lowes or Home Depot. They come in a large variety of sizes- and the colors tend to vary... so make sure you compare them. I used 12x15' and 9x12' sizes to get all the fabric necessary.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing... drop cloths have random seams going through them, but I chose to embrace that instead of trying to work around it... they aren't noticeable, so I say, go for it!
Hey, Laurel! Did you just sew the silk pattern on top of the drop cloths? They look amazing!
ReplyDeletep.s. I haven't forgotten about all the questions I sent you forever ago. I've been editing pictures every night for weeks and my home projects have taken the backburner. : (
No problem Keri! I can't wait to see the space you are working with :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the silk pattern... yes, I did the easiest thing, I sewed the patterned fabric directly on top of the drop cloth, and then I concealed the seams with the yellow stripes made out of the linen I had purchased. I used "stitch wichery" that you iron on for the yellow stripes, but if I could do it again, I would have just sewn on everything, it would have been less time consuming and CHEAPER to bypass "stitch wichery"!
OMG! Laurel, your project looks really great! The curtains themselves are awesome, (I love the yellow silk insets) but, the curtains & valences together really change the feel of the room. The line your eye follows all the way up to the ceiling really opens up the room and ties it all together beautifully. Also, ...clever work with that glue gun, girl! hee hee Who would know?
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh--- these look fantastic. Such a great job and makes such a difference!
ReplyDeletethanks Brooke!
ReplyDeletelooks gorgeous! great work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula!
ReplyDelete