Simple Teal Sewing Crafts for Fall Decorating

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to purchase and store all new fall decor every year? It’s so fun to refresh your seasonal look from one year to the next, follow trends and all that, but the costs can be much too high.  Today I am sharing two simple sewing projects that provide inexpensive impact and change to traditional fall room decor.  For this year instead of using my newer neutral fall decor I brought out my traditional fall coloured stuff and added teal to give it a more modern look.

These projects are part of a Fall Home Tour you may also enjoy!

Fabricland had this very nice teal curtain material on for $4.00 a metre. Checking the label a couple of times, I am still convinced it is a pricing error, and I bought two metres.

DIY Curtain Tutorial

Sewing a cafe style curtain allows you to add a pop of colour, add a little privacy and let the light in.  I wanted something dramatic at the back of the room to provide a backdrop for the table centerpiece and newly redone dark kitchen table set.  Although these are cafe length curtains, the tutorial will work for any size of push on drape you want to make.
l

t
Simple rod curtains are really easy to sew. They have straight seams and don’t need a pattern.

To make the either or both the curtains and table runner you will need; material, matching thread, pins, scissors, chalk and a sewing machine.

Measure for the Material

Measure the width of your window, this will be the width of ONE panel of your curtain. You will need two panels to allow material for the gathering.

Measure the length you want for your curtain then add 6 inches (4.5″ for the top and 1.5″ for the hem).

In other words, your material will be twice the width of the window, and the length of your curtain plus six inches.

Once you know the length and width you can ask at the fabric store for how many metres (yards) you need.  The yardage required will depend on how wide the bolt of material you like is.

Cutting the Material

The hardest part of this project is cutting the material straight. Ripping the fabric is the easiest way to get a perfectly straight fabric edge, but not all fabric will rip.  Do a little test along the very end of your fabric.  Cut a little snip into the material and pull to see if it rips.  Luckily this material did rip for me.

If your material does not rip, carefully cut the lengths straight.  You can use a measuring tape and add chalk marks to help guide you as you cut.

The measurement for my window is 70 inches wide and 29″ long. Using the calculations above, that means I cut two panels 70″ wide and 35″ long.

Side Hems

The double width of the material is for gathering and fullness. It will not matter that you use a 3″ off the side for hemming the edges.

With the good side ( the side you want to show ) of the material down, fold the side of the material (the edge that will be the side of your curtain) over 1/2 inch and press. Fold it again at one inch, press really well and pin into place. Do the same for the opposite side.

With matching thread sew close to the edge of the open seam edge. Sew the seam as straight as you can.  Repeat for the other side of the curtain panel.

Fold, press and stitch the side seams of the second panel as well.

Top Hem

The top hem will have two seams to create a slot for the curtain rod.
k

f
Fold the top of the material 1/2″ and press.

Then fold it over 3″, press and pin into place.

Sew a second seam 1/2″ (1/4) from top. Again make sure this seam is as straight as you are able to sew.  The majority of curtain rods will easily fit into this space.  If your curtain rod happens to be very large you can give it a little more room by sewing the top seam at 1/4″.

Repeat the process on the second panel.

The Bottom Hem

Hang your curtains on the rod. Using a chalk mark or a pin. mark where you want the bottom hem to be.

Remove the panel from the rod. Fold over the bottom seam at the mark and press well. Turn the upper part of the seam under, press and pin as you work along.
h

s
Sew the seam along the open edge of your hem. Repeat the process with the second panel.

Hang the curtain using a simple rod.

DIY Table Runner for Fall Themed Decorations

You can add a new coordinating colour to your typical fall-themed table runners by sewing a 10-minute runner.  This simple second layer adds depth to your vignettes and coordinates your fall colour scheme for a very little cost.  This material was leftover from the curtain fabric, and cost approximately $2.00 to sew.

b
These table runners will be part of the upcoming fall home tour.  You will see them as part of a large arrangement during the tour.  For now, I hope that I have illustrated how the undercover runner adds depth to the arrangement while coordinating with the teals in the vase and the pumpkin.

Table Runner Tutorial

The existing table runner for my front entrance foyer table is 74 inches long and  15 inches wide. The under runner should be the exact same length and at least two inches wider on both sides.
z

f
The table runner could work on its own but it is fairly plain.

Cutting the Material

Start by measuring the table runner you want to use.  Add ten inches to the length and width. For example, I cut my material 84 inches by 25 inches.

Starting along the long seams fold your material in 1/2 inch and press.

Fold in again 4 inches, press, and pin.

Do this on the opposite long side and then the two short ends.

Sew your hems near the open edge of the hems,  this is what gives you the nice large double edge all the way around the runner.
r

Once your runner is sewn give it a final good pressing especially along the outside edges and place on your table.

t
The last month in our home has been kind of overwhelming with simultaneous projects. After a week with no kitchen sink, our kitchen is almost done, Hubs just needs to install the kitchen lights.  He managed to find matching tiles for the backsplash so they need to be installed.  The craft room is almost done but I need to do some trim painting and find some inexpensive stand up lamps for makeovers.  The front porch is starting to come together for fall but we need to get flowers and wait for real pumpkins to be in season.

To be honest it makes it a bit of a challenge to post.  All these time-consuming things happening but like this post no real final product to show you. Like I said earlier these runners will be all pretty in the fall home tour.

This woman is seriously ready for a pumpkin latte, with pumpkin pie on the side.

Do you think the extra layer looks more dramatic and designer?

Pin and Share, if you like it,  I bet your friends will too.