Projects

Vintage Summer Curtain

Created By:

Maday Delgado

Skill Level: Intermediate

Simplicity and beauty are the cornerstones of this project.

With Earth Day Celebrations fresh on our minds, this curtain, made with vintage handkerchiefs and doilies, is the perfect home accessory to help us welcome warm summer days into our home. It lets in plenty of light and gives any room, charm. Whether you install it at a rustic cabin (with no electricity), like I did, your kitchen or camper, you will find it relaxing and inviting. Also, it’s a quick eco-friendly project from start to finish! 

Janome Supplies Required

8-10 Assorted Vintage handkerchiefs/doilies/lace

Coordinating 50wt thread

Janome blue tip needle (optional) or organ needle 14

Pins

Ruler

Rotary cutter

Cutting mat

Curtain rod

Iron/ironing board

Measuring tape

 

Machine

Janome 9450QCP

HP foot and needle plate

Instructions

1. Select handkerchiefs and doilies with interesting patterns. It is possible that you already have them at hand or know a family member that is willing to share. The charm is in up-cycling textiles that you may already have. Include pieces that have special meaning to you.

  

2. Measure the length and width of your window. I added 2” to each side and 4” to the length, to ensure that once it is installed, there are no gaps. You will need to consider what kind of curtain rod you wish to use. Making it a bit longer makes it enchanting to watch when the summer breeze comes in. My curtain measures 26”x38”.

 

 

3. Prepare the handkerchiefs/doilies/linens. I wanted to preserve as much of the original look of the linens as possible, so I kept the ornate edges to add beauty to the curtain.

 

 

4. Unlike a quilt block, the seams for this panel are very forgiving. The hp foot, due to its narrow construction, makes it the perfect sewing foot for this job. Start piecing the curtain panel components. I used all the pieces that I trimmed (see below).

Helfpul hint: Best press starch will help smooth out those stubborn wrinkles you find on most vintage textiles that have been folded for long periods of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Top stitching after each seam adds strength and beauty (optional). Stitch length 2.4

 

6. Check the overall size and look of the panel as you go. You can see that I planned the sides and bottom edge to maximize the decorative edges of the linens/handkerchiefs.

 

 

7. To create the curtain rod loop, I used a strong lace 2.25” by the width of the curtain. Please see below.

 

 

8. Sew the lace or linen strip to the top edge of the curtain and fold to the wrong side 1.25”. Add basting stitches in case you need to adjust the loop. The size of the loop depends on the curtain rod you use.

9. Test the curtain loop to make sure that you are happy with it.

10. Install and sit back to enjoy your work with your favorite cup of tea or coffee!

  

 

This vintage curtain provides more privacy than I initially thought. I’m waving from the inside of the cabin (photo from the exterior, above right) and you can’t see me! The amount of natural light that it ushers in, is beyond dreamy.

I loved working on this project so much and creating this tone-on-tone panel with pre-loved textiles. I hope you too, give it a try. Share your progress with me anytime. I would love to see it.

 

Happy Summer nights await.

 

Best,

Maday

www.sustainabletextiledesign.com

 

Everyone is Talking about Vintage Summer Curtain
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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