This has got to be one of my most favorite thrift store re-do projects, and I am so excited that I wanted to share it with you. In our new house we were blessed that the previous owners left the high end wood blinds in the upper living room and dining room. However, the kitchen and hall windows were bare. Because we are living in the upstairs of the new house while renovations occur on the main floor, privacy isn’t super important. The bare windows needed something, and I figured a partial curtain would be perfect.
What kind of window covering to use?
I love all the light the large windows let into the kitchen (it makes the wood cabinetry more bearable for me). That being said I knew I wanted a semi sheer fabric for the curtains. I also knew that I wanted them to shirr onto a tension rod.
When I tugged on my knowledge of sewing and working in my mom’s drapery studio years ago I knew that if I wanted the curtains full, I would need quite a bit of fabric (at least 4 yards). I popped into JoAnns and didn’t see anything that wowed me enough to make me want to spend a fair amount on the fabric.
Thrift store magic
But then….I went to the local thrift store in search of hooks (which they had none). Wall mount hooks are expensive by the way!
I found this amazing drapery panel in the curtains section and I knew it would be perfect for my project.
I also knew it was expensive fabric; I could tell the drapery had been hand made just by the quality of the craftsmanship.
Again, the knowledge my mom passed on helped me realize that I had a gem in my hands. This was a large drapery panel and I knew the lace detailing would compliment the traditional look of our new home. Look at that lace!
I only paid $3 for this piece! I came home and tossed it in the washer and left it to air dry.
After cutting off the buckram at the top I was left with an enormous 144″ x 90″ piece of fabric. A few hours of sewing later I was finished with the project and I couldn’t be happier with the results. (Excuse the blue painter’s tape that is still up in the kitchen. That was removed after the final coat of paint later that night. It’s real life here people, no staged photos!).
I still have a piece of the fabric left, and there is a bathroom on the upper level that has a couple of cute small windows. I may just use that fabric in there; we shall see.
Saving money at the thrift store is one of my favorite things; while they didn’t have any hooks I was looking for they came through with flying colors in the fabric department!
