My favorite thing to purchase at thrift stores are vintage fabrics. I instantly visualize them as the most luxurious drapes, cushions or perhaps a tablecloth.
Unfortunately, most of these beautiful fabric have yet to fulfill their destiny. Why? Well the thought of sitting in front of the sewing machine once filled me with anxiety. Oddly enough, that didn’t stop me from adding to my collection.
Recently, while staring at the growing stack of fabrics, I accepted the fact that if I ever wanted to get curtains made I was going to have to figure this out. After a few deep breaths and a couple hours of YouTube videos, my foot was on the pedal. My first project was two pairs of cafe curtains. It is a great beginner project and they really have a big impact in the kitchen. Here are few things to keep in mind if you decide to make some for yourself.
Cafe Curtains Tips
- The curtain should cover the entire bottom window sash.
- There should be a small gap between the curtain and the window sill. Just enough so it doesn’t touch.
- Each panel should be 1 1/2 to double the width of the window depending on preference.
- Look for fabrics that are washable and allow some light to filter through.
- Ideally the bottom hem should be 2″ and the rest 1/2 to 1″.
- When purchasing curtain rings, keep in mind that they should be placed every 5 inches.
This was a very affordable project. The fabric was thrifted but since I couldn’t find the brass look rod and curtains rings I wanted, I bought them from Amazon. The total cost per window was about $25. The vast majority of that was the hardware. I love the look of cafe curtains and later if I decide to change up the curtains, the only cost will be the fabric. The curtains have really made the kitchen feel more welcoming and I feel it was money well spent.
