Cut the new panels to length and then sew on the border fabric. Now you have new curtains with lots of seams. Not too lovely from the back, even if you do make nice finished seams.

I have decided to take the easy way out, and Bill wanted the room a little darker, so I will be lining the panels. This will allow me to hide the seams and block out more light, and give a little more insulating protection.

I found some curtains that coordinated with my current wall colors and I thought I had success. I needed 8 packages of curtains to cover all the windows. No problem.

I hit a couple of stores and pick up all that I need and bring them all home and hang them up. Guess what. They are different dye lots. Very different. Some had a red cast and some had a blue. Back to the store to pick up more packages to bring home and compare. 4 stores later, I have enough curtain panels that basically match.

Unfortunately I decided to wash the curtains before I hung them. One of the doors leads to the studio and I knew it would eventually need to be washed. I followed the washing instructions. Really. Who would have thought they would shrink 8 inches. Unfortunately, that now makes the curtains 6 inches shorter than the sliding glass doors. That is not going to work.

I decided that the solution is to buy a coordinating fabric to add a contrasting border. I made several trips to JoAnn’s to find some fabric, but it seems that I have picked a color that few manufacturers are coordinating with. After bringing several fabrics home and not having them work with everything else in the room I decide to take Bill with me.

Bill and I headed off to the BIG JoAnn’s with a 50% off coupon. An hour or so later we walk away with border fabric.  Yeah!

I submitted this idea to HGTV’s Carol Duvall Holiday workshop and was selected to appear as one of the Guest presenters. They are quick and easy to make and look great under the tree, on the mantle or on the table top. Any material can be used, but embossed velvet is especially elegant.
Instructions for embossing your own velvet can be found on the Hot Potatoes website.

Instructions

Supplies:
1/4 Yard Velvet or any other material
3 Yards Ribbon
Thread to coordinate with Velvet
FrayCheck (Optional)
Stuffing

1. Cut two pieces of velvet 6×6 inches.
2. Cut one piece of velvet 6×24 inches.
3. Apply FrayCheck to the edges of the velvet to minimize fraying.
4. Lay one square of fabric on top of the rectangle of fabric, right sides together, lining up the top and left sides of the square.
5. Sew the first side of the square with a 5/8 inch seam allowance. When you get 5/8 of an inch from the corner, stop with the needle in the fabric and line the second side of the square with the edge of the rectangle.
6. Sew the second side of the square, keeping it lined up with the edge of the rectangle. When you get 5/8 of an inch from the corner, stop with the needle in the fabric and line the next side of the square with the edge of the rectangle.
7. Continue sewing in the same manner until all 4 sides are sewn.
8. There will probably be excess fabric on the rectangular piece of fabric. Trim off the excess so that the sides meet.
9. Stitch the two ends of the rectangle together to close up the square.
10. Line the second square with the edge of the rectangle, right sides together, starting at the seam.
11. Sew in the same manor as the top square, leaving the last side open.
12. Turn the package right side out.
13. Stuff the package.
14. Hand stitch the final side of the package closed.
15. Cut a piece of ribbon 23 inches, or enough to wrap around the package plus a small overlap.
16. Stitch the ends together.
17. Repeat with a second piece of ribbon.
18. Slide the two ribbons over the package, one in each direction.
19. Tie a bow in the center of a 25 inch length of ribbon.
20. Stitch the bow to the top of the package.