HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS… AN EASY DIY

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

I have always loved sheer curtains. The way the almost glow as they diffuse bright sunlight. How the float and dance on the breeze of an open window! And the way they modestly create a cozy seclusion at night. Sheer curtains are ethereal, practical and cheap!! But let’s face it, they can also be a little… yawn… boring! I wanted to inexpensively change out my family room curtains for spring and summer and thought sheers would be a fun switch. So I updated some sheer curtains and gave them a burlap-infused makeover! Come on, I’ll show you how…

Today is DIY TIPS AND TRICKS! I’m with some of my favorite bloggers sharing our best home decor diy tips and tricks! Make sure to check out my friend’s ideas at the end of this post!

Now, let’s talk about these fun, updated sheer curtains! 

Here are the curtains I had on the family room windows before… They are linen and I painted them with chalk paint a few years back. However, they have gotten limp and need a good dry cleaning and starching!

UPDATED SHEER CURTAIN DIY-OLD-CURTAINS-stoegbleblog-4

And here’s my updated shears! I think the sheers totally changed the look of my family room!

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

I made all four panels for under $40.00. Yes!!!! What a bargain!

The sheers came from WalMart and cost $4.87 a panel (I’m doing my happy dance, you just can’t see me). I bought 8 panels because I used 2 sheers per panel.

They are wonderfully made and worked perfectly. The burlap came from my “burlap box” so it cost me nothing! Don’t you love a great bargain? 

It took less than an hour to make each panel and hang them.

If you can sew a straight line, you can make these. And here’s another great thing about these updated sheers, you can also use this technique if you have curtains that are too short for your windows!

My ceilings are 9 feet and the sheers I bought were 84 inches. They worked great for adding extra fabric to the top of them.

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

Let’s make some very cute, updated sheer curtains!

The length of sheers and the amount of burlap you will need is specific to your window. Just measure carefully. You might want to work this all out on paper before you begin. It’s pretty easy, but I like to double check everything… Remember, measure twice, cut once!

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

 

  1. Materials
  • sheer curtains (2 per updated curtain)
  • burlap (two types)
  • Scissors, measuring tape, sewing machine.

First measure how long you want your curtains to be when they are finished. You will need to figure out how long you want your top border to be and how long your sheers will be. Be sure to calculate seam allowances into your measurments. I used 1/2 inch seam allowences for all seams.

Cut the plain burlap first.  Cut one length of plain burlap 1 and 1/2 times as wide as your window and as long as you have determined for the top of your curtain. Remember to add in seam allowances.

Next, cut the patterned burlap the same width as the plain burlap and as long as you want it to be. Again, add in seam allowances.

2. Putting right sides together sew one long raw edges of the plain burlap to one raw long edge of the patterned burlap. Use a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  If you are using a burlap with a print on it make sure that when the pieces are sewn together that the print is right side up!

3. Open up the burlap and press the seams. This is the top part of your curtain.

Now, turn over 1/2 inch of burlap along the top long length of plain burlap to the wrong side and sew to have a finished seam. 

 Finish the edges on the two width sides like the top (instructions above).

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

4.  Calculate how long you need the sheer curtain to be and add 1/2 inches. Cut the curtain to the proper length, if needed. You will need 2 sheers for 1 curtain panel.

Sew a long stitch seam 1/2 inch below the top of the sheer curtain.  Gather the curtain and pin it right sides together with the edge of the printed fabric. YOU WILL ONLY PIN IT TO HALF OF THE WIDTH OF THE CURTAIN.

Follow direction 4 again using a second sheer panel.

You will have 2 gathered panels and pinned them to the right side of the printed fabric along the edge.

Sew them together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

5. Press and hang!

Done!!! I love sheer curtains and their ability to lighten and brighten up a room. Perfect for spring and summer! 

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and fabulously stylish!

Are there some windows in your home that need pretty new, upscaled curtains? Why not make them sheer!

Please visit my great friends and sew what amazing tips and tricks they have for you!

CEDAR HILL FARMHOUSE

antique-artwork

THISTLEWOOD FARM

how to fix sagging couch cushions

 

ON SUTTON PLACE

diy coffee table succulent garden

STONEGABLE

UPDATED SHEER CURTAINS DIY-button-stonegableblog.com

PIN IT AND SAVE THE INSPIRATION!

You might like to follow me on Pinterest and see all the great things I’m finding to pin every day HERE!

HOW TO UPDATE SHEER CURTAINS. Here's how to take a cheap pair of sheer curtains and make them updated and  fabulously stylish!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

49 Comments

  1. Doreen Bednarski says:

    Another superb idea from you! Clever and unusual, adding softness and interest while tying all aspects of you room together.

  2. I totally agree with you. I love sheer curtains, too. In fact, I have some sheers in my fabric stash right now. Your easy update idea will have me pulling these out for a refresh later today. Have a nice Cinco de Mayo. Susie from The Chelsea Project

  3. There Beautiful unique and one of a kind there gorgeous .

  4. Mary Lou Gilliland says:

    Absolutely the best idea yet! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! You are the best! Thank you so much for sharing!!?

  5. Elaine R. Wesselman says:

    Yvonne I absolutely love them! Thank you for a wonderful idea! Another great project!

  6. Carol Davis says:

    Wow – what a great way to lengthen sheers and add a new look to the windows and room. Thanks so much – time to get out the sewing machine.

  7. Good Morning Yvonne ~
    What a great idea. They look beautiful –
    We are redoing my husbands office and I have gray blue sheers, but I really like them and want to continue to use them.
    I was going to make blue buffalo check pillows for the couch, and now I can add the check to the top of the curtains.

    Thank you for your wonderful post
    Much love,
    Rose

  8. Would love to know where you got your neat “The Pratts” framed on your wall!
    Thanks! AA

    1. The “Pratts” window was a gift. I don’t know where it came from. Sorry!

  9. That’s awesome, I love it!

  10. Thanks for the idea, they look fabulous in the room!
    Blessings, Candy

  11. NANCY CARR says:

    Excellent idea. Thank you so much. Blessings

  12. Great idea and so unexpected!

  13. I haven’t seen sheers used in a few years, but this is a great way to start using them again! Brings in such great light too! Great idea, love it , and your family room is so inviting 🙂

  14. Great idea,they turned out great. Thanks for the how too’s
    Be Blessed

  15. Love the juxtaposition of burlap and sheer…beautiful.

  16. Question – what is the best way to deal with throw pillows when people want to sit on the sofa?

    Thanks.

    1. Hi! I keep a big basket in each room and the pillows in there. Some people like to snuggle into them and that’s okay too.

  17. I never would have thought to mix the two but its fabulous! Reminds me of a gown with a flowing skirt. LOVE!
    🙂 gwingal

  18. Hi Yvonne! These window treatments are fantastic! I love that you added the extra fabric at the top and not the bottom. It really DOES change the whole look of your room. <3

  19. Leslee Rau says:

    Well of course! Now I know how to give those sheer curtains in the master bedroom the snappy eye appeal that was so lacking. I was studying them the other day wondering what to do to make the window treatment more interesting. I could only come up with what Scarlett O’Hara always said: ” I will think about that tomorrow.” And now I don’t have to. Yvonne with her creative genius has come to the rescue! I absolutely love that look! Thank you for the wonderful solution. Perfect! It’s always a joy to see what you have up your sleeve for us all! Hope you never tire of blogging. So many fans!

  20. Anna Tharel says:

    Where did you get the printed burlap?

    1. Hi Anna! I bought the printed typewriter burlap at JoAnne’s fabrics. They have great printed burlap. Hope this helps!

  21. Yvonne, this post came at the perfect time! I bought a pair of Country Curtain sheers some years ago, and finally decided to take them down because I wanted something else. I had just washed them and was getting them ready for a garage sale and saw this post! LOL! This is a FABULOUS idea!!! Thank you:D

  22. I love this idea! I have sewn a border to the bottom of curtains to make longer, but never at the top of sheers. You are just too clever for words, Yvonne! Love the combination of sheers and burlap! Looks like I’m going to have to get on the “Burlap Train”.

  23. The sheers with the burlap at the top look amazing. I would never have thought of doing that. Very creative Yvonne!!

  24. ahhhh sheers, so many possibilities….your choice of fabrics….awesome…it really makes your room even better…and it was pretty nice

  25. Thank you for the inspiration! I made something similar this weekend. It was just what my kitchen needed!

  26. I made drop cloth curtains for my master bedroom but they don’t puddle on the floor as much as I’d like them to. Since I made my shower curtain with the French themed burlap this company makes, I think I’ve found my solution. Thank you so much for sharing this marvelous idea!

  27. Deb Stickley says:

    Oh my gosh I’m absolutely in LOVE with this idea. I’m putting up sheers in my living room and this just gave me an awesome idea! Thank you!

  28. Thank you for this excellent idea for updating sheers. I will be using these ideas for my family room.

  29. Debbie Blair says:

    Love the Burlap and sheers! Great inspiration to update my living room curtains!
    Thank you

  30. Thanks for all the Wonderful ideas………..

  31. I love these and can just envision the breeze blowing through these in the spring. I’ve pinned these for my master bedroom refresh.

  32. This is an excellent idea, especially since I sometimes find curtains I love, but they are to short. You just solved this for me

  33. Cindy farrrell says:

    I adore your burlap and sheer curtains! Can you please tell me where you got the burlap?
    Thanks so much!

  34. This is just what I was looking for. For clarification, the 2 sheer panels will not be attached on the side seams? They will just flow?

  35. Could you please tell me where you got the burlap fabric with the letters in dot pattern
    thanks you

    1. I found this fabric at JoAnne’s fabric. Not sure if they carry it anymore.

  36. How can I lengthen scallop bottom curtains

    1. I’d cut them above the scallop and add more material. Hope this helps.

  37. I just love how you updated your sheer curtains. We have just downsized and I’m going crazy trying to get curtains for these windows. All my curtains are 84″ and at this new house I’ll need 94″ the expense is just too much, but thanks to you and your page I’ll updated what I already have. Thank you, you’ve saved me oodles of money.