By now, it should be no secret that I like to make things for around the home. My kitchen window should be no exception. In the three years I’ve lived in this apartment, I’ve had the same horrible cafe curtain that I’ve had in other apartments for something like 10 years. Being near the sink and the stove, said curtain had been used on numerous occasions as a hand towel, too, for lack of any other good DRY fabric on which to dry one’s hands. Not by me, of course, but by the occasional visitor who’s felt the need to use the kitchen sink.
With the leftover muslin from making bed sheets, I felt it was the perfect thing to use for a new kitchen curtain. Once all those wrinkles get ironed out, of course. In my imagination, I also wanted to hand paint or stencil something on it. That’ll happen in time; but, for now, just the plain curtain needed to be made.
And, viola! The magic of the internet! Here’s the finished curtain, complete with a twill tape and muslin tie back!
Here’s a close up of the tie back. Just plain twill tape stitched to the muslin band. Simple and nice.
Here’s the finished curtain. To make the top faux valence, I just folded over the top to make the rod pocket, and stitched it all down. There you go, a curtain and valence out of one piece of fabric. And it’s all on just one spring tensioned curtain rod. Price of the curtain was something like $3.80 for the fabric, and another couple of dollars for the rod.
The tieback needs to be shortened a but, but this is the general idea. I’m using an old brass hook that was used on the top of a picture frame, and now serves as the holder for the tie back.
And, the full window shot. The reason for having the curtain pull to the right is because the stove is on the left. No sense looking for a fire hazard. So, the curtain goes to the right. Plus, there’s nothing to see out the window to the right other than a brick wall. The left side is where the hawk flies by, birds hang out on the fire escape and all that.
And, what does Dusty think of the whole thing? Well, that’s yet to be determined…
Roxie
That is too cool for school! Dusty just doesn’t want you to get a swelled head.
Dec 09, 2009 @ 1:52 am
Brigitte
Beautiful! A perfectly draped curtain! And now I can’t wait to see what else will happen to it …
Dec 09, 2009 @ 4:48 am
Cindy in FL
Simple but perfect. I like how you tied it away from the stove! What is growing from the bulb on the windowsill?
Dec 09, 2009 @ 9:10 am
Dot
That is so very pretty! My Grandma’s kitchen window had nice curtains with tie backs, this brings back memories of happy times, yet her kitchen was quaint and 1950s-60s looking, and this is so modern and elegant.
Dec 09, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Heide
Very elegant and beautiful. Perhaps Dusty would be more impressed if you’d left some dangly pieces for him to play with.
Dec 09, 2009 @ 9:49 am
Ginger
Dusty must be waiting for the birdies to appear
He looks so comfy there – ask him since he is there if he will do the dishes 
Dec 09, 2009 @ 9:55 am
Leslie
I wonder — does Dusty prefer to drink from the sink? Tux will totally ignore his water bowl if there’s anything wet in the sink.
Love the tie back – sturdier and more “finished” than just a plain piece of twill tape.
Dec 09, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Susan
I could sure use your talent here!
Nicely done! I’ll be looking at weaving/ making a curtain for my kitchen window myself here soon. I was going to do it sooner but thought I would wait until after the reno to decide on colour and pattern. But seeing the simplicity of a muslin, I quite like that look myself.
Now, is that a sprouting coconut I see on the ledge?
Susan
Dec 09, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
Chris
Oh, you clever boy, you! Looks very nice.
I like the hangie things by the stove, too.
Dec 09, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Lynn
These look great! You did a fab job (as always) and hopefully nobody will use them as a towel…..
Dec 09, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
Sara
That is a really cool window treatment. I love it…
So, what are the plants in the window???
Dec 09, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
holli
ah, elegant simplicity. looks wonderful. but doesn’t that coconut need more water? and don’t the cats knock those down when checking out the hawk?
Dec 09, 2009 @ 11:52 pm
Debe
Love your cat draped over the edge of the side board! Reminds me of my cats.
Love the curtians too.
Dec 10, 2009 @ 11:47 pm
Cindy Skinner
I just love muslin and the curtain design looks great; not to fussy but nice. And the towels are super too. I would buy some if available.
Say I made your pickled shrimp again and taking to a Christmas party. I know they will love it. Thanks!
Dec 11, 2009 @ 5:15 pm