Decorative curtains can prove extremely expensive, particularly if you are looking for something a little different and inspiring for your child’s room.
This project uses an inexpensive pair of plain cream pencil pleat curtains available from Argos for around £20, depending on the size. Amazon also have some bargains. They often come fully lined, machine washable and just the kind of blank canvas on which you can work home-sewn wonders.
Examples of assembled flowers
Making the flowers:
These were made using bought felt, costing just a few pence per sheet. You could always make your own felt from old woollens. Alternatively, you could use any scraps of material you may have. Oddments can also be purchased from any fabric shop or haberdasher.
Use a mixture of plain colours or go for something more snazzy. Gingham and floral fabrics combine to make a very fashionable chintzy look. If you intend washing the curtains, ensure that any fabrics you use are colourfast.
Cut out the individual pieces, placing the petals and flower centre as shown in the image to the right, then secure with small stitches in the centre of the flower. For more detail, try adding sequins, beads or buttons at the centre of the flowers.
Download our template for flower cut outs
To embellish the leaves, use embroidery thread in a contrasting shade and backstitch to create the effect of veins.
Don’t worry about ironing the curtains before you attach the flowers and leaves. They will only get creased again as you work. Instead, iron the finished curtains according to the label and always on the reverse.
Attaching the motifs:
If using felt, try to catch the back layer of the large petal in order to keep the stitches hidden. With thinner fabric, you may wish to use a matching cotton or even a contrasting shade to make the stitches obviously part of the design.
Other applications:
These flowers can also be used to embellish a plain cardigan or attach to a basic Alice band. Stitch or glue the flowers in place, depending on the band’s surface. Just ensure the surface area is sufficient to allow a good amount of the flower to attach to the band. You could adapt the idea to create heart shapes, ice creams in different ‘flavours’ or teddy bears (if your art skills allow).
For a boy’s room, you could design stars, planet motifs or, if feeling truly adventurous, cars, farm animals… the possibilities are endless. Find clip art if you are less confident of your drawing abilities and create detail with a few contrasting stitches. Then apply to windows, add a child and enjoy the gasps of happiness with your handiwork!
My daughter's finished bedroom curtains
