From deciding to install curtains, to buying ready-made products but having to return them, and then make from scratch, finally successfully hanging the curtains, I have experienced many inner struggles of ‘doing or not doing it’. But in the end, I was able to put into practice what I wanted to do, and that kind of satisfaction is quite a lot!
I’ve decided to buy curtains.
Due to lock down and Ikea is closed, I bought curtains on Amazon. It was quickly delivered, but the quality was poor. The biggest problem was the size, I could only send it back.
Since we had to use an extendable tension rod, some considerations needed to be taken into account – thickness of the rod, the weight that the rod can bear, the intact point between curtains and window, etc., there are really not many choices. I suddenly thought: “How about making curtains by myself?”
Alternatives: Curtain Clips and Tape
I looked at those fabrics, very beautiful, and there are many choices. But Curry Boy reminded me: ‘If you buy fabric, all edges must be hemmed. Otherwise, the thread will keep coming out.’ I responded lightly: ‘It’s very simple, just buy an adhesive that will stick when you iron it.’ ‘Huh?! Is there such a thing? Well, after that buy some clips then.’
So, I took a look at those curtain clips at Amazon. Um……only 20 circles plus 20 clips, and it costs more than 10€? It doesn’t look pretty, but it’s a quick and easy solution. Then I looked at the adhesive tape again, oops, many comments are written that after washing, it won’t be adhesive anymore. The idea of ‘DIY curtains’ reappeared in my mind. This time, do it thoroughly.
Sewing Machine is NOT a Must
There are many kinds of curtains, and it is impossible to do it if it is too complicated and has many folds. The relatively simple one is the tab top curtain. I know, I just have to sew the loops to the curtains. Go online and find blogs and videos of other people how to DIY tab top curtains.
“Hmm~ It looks like a lot of work, and people use a sewing machine to sew!” I have been hesitating, so much work, can I finish it? I showed to Curry Boy those blogs and videos, “It’s really a lot of work! We don’t have a sewing machine, it will take a lot of time…” “I know it will take time, but I sew a little every day, and one day I will finish! Just sitting and watching Netflix also time-consuming!” But he didn’t say “Forget it! Just buy some clips.” Instead, I was the one who said no to myself: “It seems really difficult to do, it seems really not worth doing…Okay, just buy clips, don’t bother!”
If You Want It, Let’s Do It!
But the next day, I still haven’t pressed the ‘Place order’ button. ‘Hey! How about this, I’ll make one panel first, if I hate sewing, then I can buy curtain clips, what do you think?’ I asked Curry Boy. ‘It seems that you really want to do it, then do it!’
Don’t Go After Perfection
I first tried to make a small curtain for the living room, which was like cafe-style, it only covered the middle part of the window. In fact, it took time to pass the thread through the needle. The needle hole was so small that I am dazzled. I don’t have any sewing skills, and I have referred to professional ones, some of them can hide the thread really well, but I had no motivation to learn it. So I used the most straight-forward method, first ironed out the creases, then picked a longer needle, and sew in a straight line, each time I can pass through more fabric, and the needle must be fast and accurate (just kidding), the effect was not bad. Keep sewing, and I finished the small curtain in one afternoon.
Looking at the first curtain made by myself is super satisfying! I immediately decided: “I don’t need to buy curtain clips, I have to make everything myself!”
It took more time to make the curtains of the bedroom, because the area was larger and more loops were needed. But if you focus, the speed won’t be too slow. Curry Boy also helped me to sew some loops!
I Finished Sewing in 3 Days!
Although the fabric was not cut properly, the drop was not even, and if you look closely, you can see a lot of flaws… However, I was still very satisfied with the curtains I made!
I think sometimes it’s the thought that “it’s not good to let people see the flaws”, “it can’t be done without this and that”, “it wouldn’t work if we knew it earlier” is what keeps us from doing it. In fact, so what if people see the flaws? The curtains in every household are similar, but mine is full of personality! What if you don’t have a sewing machine? I have a needle and thread, the principle is the same! If you don’t know it in advance, don’t just think, you have to do it. Only when you really try it will you know whether it will work or not.
Postscript
2 years later, we moved from Germany to the UK, and faced the same problem again. On the bright side, curtains rods were installed, so we just had to buy curtains. On the other side, our window sizes were irregular, the “Do it or not do it” struggling again happened, and I found an easy way to overcome this challenge.
