My current apartment has huge windows (we’re talking four metres high!) that had these horrific office blinds as window coverings when I moved in; no need to say that I whipped those monstrous things out quickly! Despite hunting high and low for curtains big enough for the window, I was unfruitful in my attempts. However, I decided to see the positive in the situation: by not buying readymade designs I was able to choose fabric by the metre that was a perfect fit for my aesthetic. So, of course, I went for the cheeriest yellow fabric I could find! Regular readers will know that I’m fond of a stripe, so it will come as no surprise that I fell hard and fast for Vanessa Arbuthnott’s French Ticking design. The buttercup and clay colourway was the perfect fit as I really wanted to make a colour statement with these curtains as they are an ideal way to bring temporary colour into a rented space. With my fabric chosen I set about making my first pair of curtains; nothing fancy, just a simple design. I allowed myself one and a half widths in fabric and lining and then ironed everything before I began to sew. To aid the hemming process I ironed the hems and pinned in the lining behind before I ran each side through the machine. I’m so pleased with how they turned out – the linen gives them a tactile feel and the yellow brings so much vibrancy and energy to the room. I’ll be sharing more of my living room in the next few weeks, but for now: what do you think of my curtains?
// Photography by Will Taylor
23 / 23 / 2013
They look wonderful – no one would know it was your first pair of curtains !!!
23 / 23 / 2013
I love the pop of cheery colour they give to the room. That’s so uplifting, especially now in the drudgery of January!
-Lindsey
23 / 23 / 2013
I think they are brilliant and so you! Love the sunny fabric and high fives to you for your sewing skills!
23 / 23 / 2013
That sewing machine looks good on you!
23 / 23 / 2013
I love the fabric, looks really nice! I just wanted to see how you hanged those. Are you going to show the whole thing later?
23 / 23 / 2013
WOW Will, you made these. I adore them -what a lovely colourblast. I bought myself a sowing machine for Xmas, it’s still in the box. HMM perhaps I should’ve considered learning how to sow first ha ha:)
Happy day,
Ax
23 / 23 / 2013
WOW! You are very talended my friend!Super curtain!!
23 / 23 / 2013
YOU DID IT!! Bravo!! It’s easy right? Love them Will, I need some yellow in my life.
23 / 23 / 2013
@Yvonne – Yay! Yes, surprisingly easy although a little tricky as I had so much fabric and lining to get to grips with!
23 / 23 / 2013
@Lea K – I hung them using these amazing hooks from IKEA that clip on at the back of the top hem; saves having to sew heading tape into them but gives the same effect.
23 / 23 / 2013
Love love love them Will! The soft yellow colour with that pattern is just lovely. Now if you could make your way over to mine… I have a few windows that need pretty new curtains!
23 / 23 / 2013
Very impressive! I love the cheery stripes. I had to make curtains for our huge sash window too – or rather my Mum did as I can’t sew in a straight line
23 / 23 / 2013
So lovely! yellow and grey together are perfect!
23 / 23 / 2013
I am seriously impressed – they look fantastic.
You’ve inspired me; I now feel a little DIY project coming on as our kitchen is currently in need of new curtains (might need my Mum’s help with the Roman blind though!)
23 / 23 / 2013
I really like your handmade curtains! They brighten the room!
And it’s always a pleasure to see a man using a sewing machine …!
23 / 23 / 2013
How gorgeous! I bet the vertical stripes make the window look even longer and more stunning.
23 / 23 / 2013
@Anna – Yes, they really do add visual height to the space – not to mention a lovely hit of colour!
23 / 23 / 2013
These are awesome Will! So impressed by your sewing skills!
Abbey x
23 / 23 / 2013
You clever sausage-and you look so happy at the machine! She does wonderful fabrics-great choice
xx
23 / 23 / 2013
Love these – so cheery! I admire your sewing skills… I need to take some notes to learn myself.
23 / 23 / 2013
fantastic drapes! so cheerful and I love the almost “hand-drawn” look. Mr you are so handy! I have yet to conquer my fear of a sewing machine.
Can’t wait to see your living room!
23 / 23 / 2013
I absolutely love these! The fabric is gorgeous. I made mine with some cheap and cheerful Ikea fabric so I don’t have a heart attack every time the kids play peekaboo with them but I think I’ll steal your style when they’re a bit bigger!
23 / 23 / 2013
@Joanne – Oh, I love IKEA so I’m sure your curtains look great as well!
23 / 23 / 2013
I don’t know what’s more exciting… how lovely they are or that I actually know a MAN who makes his own curtains:-) either way, delicious x
23 / 23 / 2013
Yellow just seems to brighten a space. Seem you did an awesome job with making your curtains.
23 / 23 / 2013
really nice!!
23 / 23 / 2013
Great curtains, Will! Oh and I’m endlessly jealous cause you’re so crafty!!! Unlike me!
23 / 23 / 2013
And you can sew too! Amazing. I do love the color and striped pattern…reminds me of a French courtyard’s awnings…love!
23 / 23 / 2013
my heart just did a happy flutter; i absolutely love the curtains, the colour, and the pattern! you did an amazing job!! xx
23 / 23 / 2013
Really lovely – i love that the light comes through just a little.
Are you a natural at everything you do!??!? it seems so!
23 / 23 / 2013
@Trisha – Thanks! Seriously, try and get to do Maths or speak a foreign language and you’ll soon see how bad I am at those skills!
23 / 23 / 2013
Yikes, you are amazing! For a first attempt at making curtains, I think you hit it out of the park, these look store bought! Way to go Will.
Great choice in fabric.
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
23 / 23 / 2013
These curtains look great, Will! So bright and cheerful. What sewing machine do you have? I have been thinking about purchasing one for a while already and I cannot decide which one to get
23 / 23 / 2013
@Magda – Thank you! I just have a basic one from John Lewis. Here’s the link: http://www.johnlewis.com/231340605/Product.aspx
23 / 23 / 2013
You did a good job! The color and pattern is well chosen, looks bright and nice!
23 / 23 / 2013
You sir, are a man of many talents!
24 / 24 / 2013
i LOVE the new curtains!! they couldn’t look more amazing in that room! can’t wait to see more room pics
… we just moved into a new apt and cannot get enough home decor tips and tricks! … and shopping?
24 / 24 / 2013
Gorgeous fabric Will; it is the type of fabric that will brighten up your whole room and make it feel so warm and cheery! You are very clever
xx
25 / 25 / 2013
You sew!!! that is awesome
http://www.levenssfeer.nl/
27 / 27 / 2013
Hello! I just wondered where you got the art from in the photograph?
Thanks and really like your blog!
28 / 28 / 2013
@Jo – It was a one off print I had printed by an illustrator. Let me dig out the link and see if they have a shop! Thanks for kind words.
10 / 10 / 2013
Hello, I want a yellow curtain too for biggie window at the living room. My house is facing south and it catchs morning sunshine a lot then I thought yellow curtain will be nice. I wonder what kind of yellow that will match my creamy wall
10 / 10 / 2013
@Dita – I would suggest getting a few different yellow fabrics (in various designs and shades) and then see how they look at different times of the day – when the sun shines through them, at night etc. Good luck with the hunt!