Consequently, I have become somewhat of a Pinterest junkie along the way. I am a huge fan of that particular kind of eye candy.
Now in and of itself, none of this is a problem ~ some reading, a little pinning, it's all good.
The trouble arises on days like today, when unable to find bedding that I like, I decide that it would be a great idea to take a clearance priced shower curtain and make a duvet cover out of it. Have I ever done this before, you ask. Why no. No, I have not. Is a shower curtain even the right size for a twin bed, you wonder. Um no. Not exactly. Is this really a project for someone with very basic sewing skills, you persist. Again...no. Not at all.
Does any of this stop me? No. No it does not.
I bought the curtain. Standing there knee deep in clearance merchandise at Marshall's, I had no doubt I could transform that bath item into a stunning, custom bed covering. My blog-inflated sense of DIY had me picturing a pretty blue sheet wrapped over the top to make up the shortage and dainty blue ribbons tied up in the prettiest little bows for closure.
Of course, at home, staring at my boxed up machine, I was met with the cold fact that just because I have read posts that detail how to make a duvet cover and seen pins that feature gorgeous bedrooms, does not mean that I actually possess any of the skills necessary to accomplish this rather complicated task!
Logged on, however, I am again convinced that I could do this.
It all looks so easy in the pictures. I guess it's an occupational hazard.
Oh well, if the sewing doesn't work out, it'll leave me more time to get started on that seven layer cake with homemade fondant!
It doesn't really matter that I don't bake.
Does it?
Do you?
You CAN do it, Kim. Buy an oversized coordinating sheet (like a double or queen size and then layer it with the twin one and stitch all the way down the sides-with the right sides together..You sheet will be a lot bigger. That's okay- just match the sides with it and you will have a pile of fabric in the center when you are sewing the sides. You will essentially have a big tube. Turn it inside out and play around till you shower curtain is centered. That should leave you with a nice wide piece of material on either side of your shower curtain which will make it wide enough for a duvet cover. Then you can turn the bottom edges under and stitch them together. Oh- I should do a tutorial on this for you. It is so simple and yet sounds so complicated. I will try to do one with pictures for you in a couple of days. Hang onto that fabric. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteDiana, you are the best cheerleader EVER! Thank you so much for the great how-to directions. I get what you are saying and I think I could do that. The shower curtain will be centered and there will be a border around it, from the larger sheet, yes? I think I'm going to give it a try once I locate a sheet I like! I hate to have you go through the trouble of putting a post together, it sounds like a lot of work! Hanging on to my fabric! :)
DeleteHey Kim, isn't Pinterest the best? You get so much inspiration from it and I'm addicted to it! I hope that you will become inspired at some point to make the cover. You just have to be in the mood I think at time and also have the time to sit and make it. Good luck on this.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thanks Julie! Yes! Pinterest is the best. I love all the inspiration. Everyone has been so encouraging that I have to try it now! Maybe it's not as hard as I thought~ of course, finding the time is the bigger issue, isn't it! ;) I'll keep you posted!
DeleteI've had some Pinterest fails and probably some successes, but I tend to remember the ones that go wrong, because they are funny.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a pretty shower curtain. You could turn it in to a throw too.
I have honestly only tried a few things from Pinterest and I only had one fail...I tend to pin more home décor inspiration pictures, less crafts/ recipes. I tried a soup recipe that had been re-pinned hundreds of times and it was so awful we all opened our mouths and let it fall out. Yuck! It was very funny and we did order in an awesome pizza that night! Hopefully, I can get a duvet or a throw out of this thing;)
DeleteI think that you should go for it. Do you have a duvet cover to use as an pattern? My daughter made one in high school as a 4H project and since hers was basically just a pillow case for a comforter she used the comforter as the guide for deciding the size. It was three straight seams (top and two sides) and then on the fourth seam, she sewed some on each end leaving a large opening in the center. She hemmed the edges of the opening and then fastened it together. You could use ribbons that tie together or buttons or velcro. I agree that it is a cute fabric and maybe on a twin bed with a bedskirt you maybe wouldn't have too much shortfall. You could open it up and lay it on the bed to get an idea of what you are working with. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri! I think I am going to study your comment and Diana's to come up with a plan, because I really do want to make it. I love the ribbon closure idea. I am not sure how well it would wash, so maybe Velcro or buttons would be better, but I have never used my machine for a button hole, so....
DeleteI wish that they still offered sewing in high school around here. That is where I learned to sew!
If you don't want to do buttonholes here are also those snap closures that you put together with the little kit and a hammer. Have you ever done those? There are the lightweight ones like you find on the legs of baby rompers and the bigger ones that are like ones on jackets. Both are pretty easy to do.
DeleteNever saw those! I have done something like it I think when I covered buttons in fabric. It came in a kit. I will investigate that Lorri, because, I do not want to do button holes! :) Thanks for checking back with the great idea!
DeleteForget the duvet! I LOVE the pillow with petals! In my mind I'm trying to figure out how to make it using a box of flower petals from DT. (I have one such box around here somewhere.)
ReplyDeleteBut for the duvet: easy peasy. You can do it. Follow NanaDiana's instructions. Shouldn't take long at all.
I wish I could help you out Nancy, but I bought the pillow at Target! I can tell you that the how-to's for it are all over Pinterest, though! ;)
DeleteYou're so smart and capable, Kim. You can do this project; I know you can. Nana Diana's instructions sound great, and how nice of her to provide them. You won't have to worry about making buttonholes if your curtain has holes for hanging (which most do). Just match up the top of the shower curtain with the sheet. Then you can sew buttons on the sheet that slip through the holes of the shower curtain. All you have to do is make sure you have the right size buttons, and you can figure this out by measuring the length of the hole. Does this make sense?
ReplyDeleteNancy~ You are a GENIUS!!! You are right, I never even thought about that. I haven't opened the package yet, but yes, it has to have holes for hanging!! I am even more excited now! All you lovely ladies offering up such great ideas and advice has been the best part of blogging!! Thanks for weighing in, Nancy!
DeleteDuvet covers.......I have never understood what a Duvet is?? What is it actually? Is it like a comforter?
ReplyDeleteI was in the dark for years, too! A duvet is a cover for a comforter, almost like a pillowcase with closures. Most people buy a plain comforter, maybe down, and then they just buy a duvet to go over it, so you can change your bedding look easily. I have never been a giant fan, they are usually pretty pricey and I don't love comforters. Of course, kids have different opinions and now we have a comforter that I do not want to discard, so covering it is the best option! Except I have to make it, so maybe not! ;)
DeleteHaha! You sound just like me…I always think project look easier than they are. I'm sure you can handle it, though. And if not, you're only out $16, right?!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly, Jamie! :)
DeleteHello, Very cute and a funny way to put it... I believe you will get this figured out and you will love the feeling of I DID IT !
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your spirit of DIY I do enjoy seeing all the beauties on Pinterest. Just wanted to say hello and Diana is an amazing and very sweet lady. She is a very dear friend...
Blessings, Roxy
Roxy, Diana is a lovely lady and one of the best byproducts of blogging so far! Her posts are quite entertaining, as well! ;) As far as my project goes, I have had so many encouraging comments, I am determined to at least try to make this duvet! I'm so glad you popped by to say hello!
DeleteHope this Poppy isn't a party pooper, but just LOOKING at that boxed up machine, makes me very nervous, as I am NOT skilled with the needle and thread art form, although I tried, way back in junior high, but I just couldn't seem to get that bobbin goin' in the right direction, never mind a straight line! BUT, you, my dear, Kim, I'm sure, are up for this curtain/cover challenge as you are always creating so many wonderful projects! Good luck and can't wait to see it on Pinterest!;-)
ReplyDeletePoppy
No, Poppy, not a party pooper at all...I think you're a realist! :) I do not generally enjoy sewing. I always seem to end up in a (literal) tangle with my bobbin and ripping things out. It never goes as smoothly as it's supposed. I guess I am a bad "driver" when it comes to that machine. I am going to give it a try, but I am not very confident about it! Thanks for the support, keep your eyes peeled, I will definitely post...failure or not!
DeleteI'm right there with you girl! Inspiration strikes and the next thing I know I'm knee deep and wondering "what the heck was I thinking!" Can't wait to see the results!
ReplyDeleteHaha, Ashley, it's so funny, it all looks so easy in the pictures and during the conceptualization stage! :)
DeleteJust dropping in for a little encouragement...as you will see on my blog, sewing is one of my LEAST favorite things to do but I do it anyway! I have made pillow "shams" out of shower curtains...it's really not a biggy! I HIGHLY encourage anyone who does not know how to sew to take some basic classes at your local fabric or craft store. It is soooo worth the time! I took lessons when I was young...and while I curse my mom sometimes for making me take them (if you don't know how to do it, good excuse not to!) I do bless her heart every time I am able to make a dress or pillow or something wonderful I could never afford to buy "off the shelf." GO FOR IT...YOU CAN DO IT! If I can learn to upholstery, you can learn to sew ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beck! I love encouragement! You are right, I really should take a lesson or two, since my only "formal" training was middle school home ec sewing. I think I made a dress...badly! My grandmother was a world class seamstress, although I was too young to learn from her...ah, wouldn't that have been nice! I am going to give it a try and as long as my bobbin behaves, I think it should be ok! I'll keep you posted...literally! ;)
DeleteJust wanted to stop in and let you know that I loved this post so much that I'm featuring it on The Sunday Faviourites. http://thequestionablehomesteader.com/sunday-faviourates-9/ Feel free to stop by and grab a button
ReplyDeleteRicki, I am so flattered, you are super sweet! I am on my way over to see all the features and grab a button. Thanks so much! :)
DeleteHi Kim, sounds like you have some wonderful feedback to get you started! I'm cheering for you....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Gail! Aren't my reader awesome? Now I just have to find the time!! :) Thanks so much for the added encouragement!
DeleteGo for it!!! You can do it.
ReplyDeletePatty at Home and Lifestyle Design
Thanks Patty. I am looking for the right colored sheet as we speak! :)
DeleteI am sure you can do what ever you wish and this seems like a fabulous project. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThanks Marty, I think I'm getting ready to tackle it. Everyone else sure seems to think I can do it!
DeleteKim, did you tackle it yet?? If not, tge best thing you could for yourself is to practice taking in the bobbin in and out several times to get comfortable with it and sewing some straight lines. Bobbins xan feel like rocket science, even to thise of it s who have been sewing for decades. But you can do it!
ReplyDeleteI did not get to it yet, Nancy. Too many snow days and kids home from school! ;) That dreaded bobbin always gets jammed. I'm sewing along nicely and wham, out of the blue I get a giant knot. I will try your tips and see if I can make peace with it! Thanks!!
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