DIY: Canvas Dropcloth Curtains

I have been thinking of replacing the short ugly drapes in our guest bedroom for a while now, and there was no better time to do it than now, when my Dad was visiting. I looked at all sorts of fabrics for it. But whatever I liked, cost so much. The length I wanted was the main factor contributing to the high cost. So after weeks of deciding, my husband finally put this question to me one night: Do you really want to spend so much($$$$) on drapes for a room that would be used occasionally?  He knows better than to say an absolute ‘No’, so he puts forward such questions from time to time and lets me come to a decision(the decision which he prefers).

Well, that got me thinking and I started doing some research on the web on some other cheap ways to come up with a fabric for drapes. And voila.. I found people making drapes from canvas dropcloth. And I love the natural look of canvas. So, in less than an hour, the plans of making drapes from expensive fabric, were out of the window. There was so much more I could do with dropcloth.. it was all on me on how to decorate it. I took inspiration from the curtains here, but as I started with a different size of dropcloth, and wanted to minimize the cutting and hemming, I followed the below directions.

I loved the fact that one drop cloth of size 6' x 9' was long enough to cover the 9 feet windows. 

So, here are the steps I followed for making grommet style drop cloth curtains.

Stuff you need:

1) 4 of 6’ x 9’ canvas drop cloths from Home Depot : $9.97 ea

2) 4 sets of grommet. I got mine from Hobby Lobby. This was the place selling it for the cheapest :$6.99 ea. Further applied a 40% off coupon

3) 2 yards of Matching fabric pattern (I used the damask pattern I already had at home)

4) Grosgrain Ribbon

Directions:

Step 1: Wash and rewash the drop cloths to get rid of the stiffness. I washed it with soap once, and without it the second time. Added some fabric softener as well. My drapes shrunk after washing.

Step 2: Skip the dryer. Steam Iron the drop cloth right out of washer. Don’t let it sit too long as it would be difficult to get rid of the wrinkles. My arms were ready to fall off after I was done ironing 4 of these.

Step 3: As the drop cloth is already hemmed on all sides, you do not need to hem it unless you want different length than what it comes in. I would suggest to measure the length anyway, as the length of all 4 dropcloths I had, were different after washing.

Cut or Fold the dropcloth to the length you need. Depending on where you are adding the pattern fabric, you can make the cut/fold. I added the pattern fabric to the top, so, I folded the extra from the top of dropcloth, to avoid any extra hemming.

Step 4: Cut 4 strips of pattern fabric of the length you decide, and the width 2 inches more than the width of dropcloth.

Step 5: I sew the pattern fabric over the dropcloth. If you want you can add it on the top as well(remember to adjust the length of canvas if doing this). But I decided to go over the dropcloth so that when my grommets go in, there is a canvas layer under the pattern to make it more sturdy. I was worried that damask fabric would tear up holding all the weight of canvas.

While sewing, fold the pattern fabric 1 inch on both sides of the canvas, and ½ inch on top of it. I did not fold the bottom part, as I was planning to add ribbon on top of it. Just sew it straight to the canvas.

Step 6: Where the pattern fabric meets the canvas, sew or paste the ribbon(with fabric adhesive). The ribbon hides the uneven stitch and the unfolded fabric.

Step 7: Follow the directions on the grommets to add it to the top. 

Step 8: Hang your drapes.

Step 9: Step back and Enjoy what you created on a dime.

As an afternote: Canvas is very thick. So be careful of your sewing machine where there are thick folds. I broke the motor of my machine in the middle of this project. I thought, while going over the thick parts(where pattern fabric is folded over the canvas on the sides), maximum that would happen is that my needle would break. But no, it was the motor that went kaput. Luckily, my machine was in the warranty period, and I could get it replaced.

 

Happy Sewing!

Teachers Appreciation Week Idea: Crayon Monogram

I saw these crayon monograms all over the internet, and decided to make one for my son's teacher for Teacher's Appreciation Week. It appeared pretty easy to make, but was I mistaken.. oh yes.. especially for letter 'M', where the crayons needed to be cut so tiny. And I had to make 2 of these, as both my son's teachers had their name with M.

The steps are straight forward:

1) Print out the alphabet, and cut it.
2) Cut the crayons to fit the alphabets. I would really advice to stick the crayon with hot glue, prior to cutting. If you are thinking of removing the crayon wrapper, then you'll have to use something other than hot glue, as it'll make crayon melt.
3) Take a thick cardstock paper, cut to the size that would fit in a frame, and glue the alphabet on it.
4) You can either choose to use a shadow picture frame, or a regular photo frame with the glass removed.

Have fun with crayons and be prepared to clean up all the mess left after all the cutting :-)

Teachers Appreciation Week Idea: Pencil Holder

With still two more days remaining in the 'Teacher's Appreciation Week' , I wanted to share this pencil holder that I made for my son's preschool teachers. With no energy to shop these days, I wanted to make something with stuff I already had at home. So, decided on making this personalized pencil holder from milk bottles. It can also be used as a vase. 

These are actually starbucks coffee bottles, washed and dried. You can also use mason jars instead.

For personalizing it, I used chalk board contact paper, as I did not have vinyl handy. I used Cricut to cut the alphabets out of chalk paper. It comes with an adhesive, so its easy to position and reposition it on the bottle.

For longer words,  I cut out an oval on cricut, and used chalk Ink Markers to write on it.

Added chickpeas/garbanzo beans to stick in the pencils. Embellished with a ribbon, and pencil holder is ready.

Thanks to all the teachers who are making a big difference in our little ones life.

Kids Canvas Banner

I recently volunteered to make few banners for 'Festival of Fun' function at Kabir's school. For the main banner, I wanted to make something that could be reused every year. So, I opted for the canvas banner. Bought rolled canvas from a craft store and got to making it.

You need:

• Rolled Canvas
• Primer(white)
• Acrylic paint
• Printed letters
• Fabric Glue

Directions

If using an unprimed canvas, you would need to prime it. I used a regular primer used for indoor walls, as I did not want to spend on the special canvas primer for one time use. If you want to avoid this step, you can buy white painters canvas. 

Priming the canvas made it little stiff, which worked in my case. It became easier to hang it.

Once primed, you can either draw the alphabets free hand, or trace it. As I am not very confident on my drawing skills, I decided to trace it. I printed the alphabets in the desired size, and using a coloured chalk,  shaded the back of the paper. Then traced the alphabet on the canvas. This left an imprint on the canvas,

Using a red acrylic paint, I filled up the alphabets.

Then came the fun part. On one of my son's play date, Kabir and his friend stamped their handprints in various colours all over the banner.

To trim the sides, I folded the edges with fabric glue.

Some other banners made for the 'Festival of Fun' from foam boards. The foam boards have been painted, and printed alphabets have just been glued on.

                                                                  Happy Painting!

Sponge Fruit Cake

After months of avoiding any sort of baking, I am back to it. It no longer makes me feel nauseas. For those not aware, anything sweet and especially baking was a complete no no in my house. I just could not stand it. But am feeling better just in time to bake a cake for my dearest Husband's birthday. As he is big on losing weight these days, I kept it light and baked a sponge cake. I followed the recipe posted here. This cake is so light, fluffy and yummy. Iced it with whipped cream with a dash of sugar in it. Layered and topped it with lots of fruits. 

Blowing the candles and ready to attack the cake.

It was over in record time.

My son could not even wait for me to get a spoon. By the time I turned around, he was all into it.

Happy Baking!