Remember this post about alternatives sources of fabric? How about the post I wrote about lightening up your window treatments for spring? Well, I took my own advice and found an alternative source of fabric for some new window treatments for my dining room. Are you ready for this? They are two 60 X 84 tablecloths from Dwell Studio for Target, just $19.99 each. No hemming necessary.
Close-up of the fabric
If cost were not a factor, I would love to have purchased the Kendiri Curtain from Anthropologie, but at $228/panel they were a little too pricey for my budget. The "panels" that I chose were less than $50 including shipping but still have the same feel as the more expensive option from Anthropologie.
The Greek key ribbon embellished panels that were formerly hung in the dining room were 84 inches in length as well, allowing me to hang the new "panels" without having to adjust the rod.
A little fluffing is in order, but I think they add a fun touch to the room for the spring/summer months.
Tablecloths may seem like an unconventional choice for a window treatment, but in my estimation, they are the optimal solution. They are available in a huge array of colors, patterns, lengths and styles. Tablecloths are designed to be laundered frequently. Most importantly, they can be found at reasonable prices so if you tire of the pattern or color, you can switch them out guilt-free.
The panels look amazing, they are perfect for spring and summer. You can't beat the price either. What a great find!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! That pattern is so refreshing for spring and summer!!
ReplyDeleteThat room looks great! Love the fabric...and is that a quatrofoil vent cover? Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI love these! Also, what's going on in that panel on the wall next to the curtains? Looks like something fun...
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern. They look fabulous. Great idea to use the tablecloths. Thanks for the inspiration. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteThese look great! Who would have thought, table cloths?! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteWow, table clothes for window treatments? This is an ingenious, guilt free solution for us commitment phobes! Love it!
ReplyDelete-ME
What a great idea! I love how you used tablecloths, and they are gorgeous! I like the black and white panels you added to the wall too. I like your original set of drapery panels too, very classic. :)
ReplyDeleteI need (4) 84" panels for our living room, now you have got me thinking about tablecloths as an option.
Another great tip I learned years ago was taking pretty napkins and using a set of 2 to make your own customized toss pillow covers, just add a down filled pillow insert and you're good to go!
Great idea Karen -- I absolutely love how these turned out.
ReplyDeleteGirl, you rock my design world. I am a huge fan of black and white and damask. Combine the two and I'm in love. Actually your whole room looks fantastic. Neutrals with style and some real drama. So pulled together. Love it.
ReplyDeletePamela
That's a great idea! I'm loving that pattern!
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern and alternative idea Karen! You're so clever and they look awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteR
Those are tablecloths?? I can't believe it! I've been struggling to find the perfect budget curtains for our master bedroom for over a year and those would be perfect! Thank you so much for this tip :)
ReplyDeleteLamb’s Most Recent Post: Woot, Woot! Party at the 2010 HGTV Green Home!
They look great and I love the fabric! I'm a big fan of alternative fabric. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great idea - never would have thought of it! The new "curtains" look fabulous in your dining room.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I would've never thought of using tablecloths! Pure geniusness! Reminds me of Victoria Hagan's fabric.
ReplyDeleteNo way!! Those are beautiful! Never ever would have thought to use tablecloths.
ReplyDeleteOk..My mind is officially blown!
ReplyDeleteI love all of the options! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove this, Karen! Plus they are already finished, so you don't have to worry about hems. I love your Greek key panels, too!
ReplyDeleteThe black and white floral pattern is so fun! Great choice!
ReplyDeletei like!
ReplyDeleteJust saw this...stunning and such a brilliant idea
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking how I'm bored with my front room beige curtains! I usually avoid the tablecloth section in the furniture store but I'll have a look next time, especially since it's sale time now. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI adopted your idea, bought 4 of the 60 x 104 length so I can have extra fabric for pillows or tablerunner. The longer length was only $2 more. Thanks for this great idea!
ReplyDeletegorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThey look GREAT! Good to know about the shrinking I should have preshrunk them . . . eeek! Here's hoping the dog doesn't take an interest in them :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your link with me! I LOVE your tablecloths, I mean Curtains :)
Did it already have a spot to slip the rod through or did you have to make holes?
ReplyDeletedid you have to add something at the top for the hooks to hang them?
DeleteAnonymous-I used rings with clips to hang them so I wouldn't need to damage them.
ReplyDeleteHow did you attach. I think Im having a blank moment because I cant visualize how its hung. Can you email me please? Im not sure if I will be able to remember how to get back here again. mitchyelle@yahoo.com
DeletePlease let me know too! Where did you purchase the rings with clip? alexis2142000@yahoo.com
DeleteBy the way....
You are brilliant!!
Yes, yes, I'd love to know this too!!! @LaughHeatherLaugh@yahoo.com
DeleteI would like to know as well samantha.lynn.2007@gmail.com
DeleteI'd love to know how you attached the rings as well/what kind of rings you used ("rings with clips" doesn't sound like something I've seen). jrmclarty@gmail.com
DeleteJen, if you continue down the comments to the one left by "Lacey" I've included a link to some inexpensive ring clips available at Target. But they are widely available.
DeleteGREAT idea!!
ReplyDeleteCan you please post another pic up close of how they are attached to the rod and hanging? I don't understand what you mean by ring clips (sorry).
ReplyDeleteThis is such a brilliant idea! I just spend a small fortune on curtains for my front rooms. But I won't be doing that again!!!
Hi Lacey, it might be easier to see an image. I found a link to some clip rings at Target:
Deletehttp://www.target.com/p/Target-Home-Clip-Rings-7-Pack-XL/-/A-13597297
Try checking this out. Target or JCPenney both carry these at really low prices.
I have also used fabric shower curtains for large bedroom windows. They've got grommets at the top which add a funky touch, and you can either use two full shower curtains, or cut one down the middle and hem both edges to make two curtains.
ReplyDeletesame here with the fabric shower curtains, it's a fabulous and easy way of window decorating!
DeleteWonderful "out of the box" thinking. I'll pass this idea on. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDid you use one table cloth for each panel or split one in half?
ReplyDeleteI used one cloth for each side. To get a really full look you might want to use two on each side-sew them together for a more custom look or take them to the dry cleaners and have them do it for you if you don't own a machine, it's very affordable.
DeleteSo which shape table cloths do you use? I know my little round ones wouldn't work.
DeleteThose look amazing! I have been racking my brain trying to come up with an easy solution for my dining room curtains and this might just be it. We have nothing there right now and I had been trying to find bed sheets, but this tablecloth idea is brilliant! Thanks so much for the awesome idea. I feel inspired. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I could help Stace! Target has some really fun patterns on their website for very affordable prices.
Deletei've used table clothes for years. also flat sheets... one queen flat sheet makes an awesome shower curtain.. just buy a liner,,, also i made a whole house full of country curtains with double ruffles from flat sheets... love it!!!!!!!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteI never thought of using tablecloths for curtains! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThose look great. Just one thing to watch out for: fabric repeat. When making drapes/curtains, your fabric repeat should be the same. In other words, the motifs should match each other going across.
ReplyDeleteIn this example it's not as obvious as it would be if you had geometrics etc.
I have a fabric shower curtain that would also work (if I bought two at the same time) and comes complete with holes for the curtain rings.
ReplyDeleteI have a fabric shower curtain that would also work, if I'd bought two (@6$ each), comes complete with holes for the curtain rings.
ReplyDeleteSo how did you attach the rings??? I'd love to do this as I need some for my kids' playroom! I'm just not smart enough to figure out how you did it. :)
ReplyDeleteUmmm...what about a table runner for a valance? Has anyone done that? Thank you for such a fabulous idea! Reading comments has been wonderful too...sheet for a shower curtain? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea. I once went to a woman's house and she had used a bedspread for a curtain and it was beautiful. She hemmed one side of it and then tied it back on one side only like a swag.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great idea! I just bought Ralph Lauren table clothes at the outlet store with hopes of trying this as a way to seperate my bathroom from my bedroom in a decorative way. Any thoughts on liners, other than a flat sheet?
ReplyDeleteYou can buy inexpensive drapery lining fabric for just a few dollars a yard if you want to line them-use iron on adhesive tape for a no-sew project.
DeleteLove Love Love this idea!! I've had a terrible time finding drapes in the right length and color and when I do they are way too expensive! Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love this idea!! I have had a terrible time finding drapes in the right length and color and when I do they are way too expensive! Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteGenius thinking on your part....Looks fabulous..no one would know...unless you told them ....Thank you for the idea. I can take this an run with it....
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved into my home 30 years ago my mom made me curtins from queen sized flat (floral) sheets . They were so pretty and so easy to clean. Just throw them into the washer when they got dusty. I need some curtins now for a den and I think I will do the same thing. I'm tired of paying a lot of $ for curtins, and there are so many pretty sheets out there that you can buy w/o having to get the entire set.
ReplyDeleteI have been using tablecloths for every kind of window treatment and shower curtain for years. If you break down the per yard cost, and you have shopped smart, you will pat yourself on the back every time. Thanks to my table cloth mania ( my husband says it's actually a fabric fetish) I have lovely, ceiling to floor panels for every season. I also use them as stationary panels on either side of our walk in showers. We have hard water, so shower curtains are much easier to use than glass shower doors, though perhaps not as glamorous.
ReplyDeleteI have just found your blog, and my compliments, I will be back often
I have also used fabric shower curtains.
ReplyDeletelove this idea. will tweet today @tideoverdesign
ReplyDeletedid something similar in the kitchen. made valances out of a red and white tablecloth. country look for the kitchen at a fraction of the price. love those too.
ReplyDeleteI've been tossing around the idea of doing a valance with ring clips so how do you think this would work horizontally considering the width of the table cloths?
ReplyDeleteDepending on the width of the cloth you might want to double the fabric up and try clipping it that way. The good news is that the clips won't damage the fabric if you're not happy with the result. Just keep your receipt in the event that you don't like the outcome! Let us know if you try it :)
DeleteHow do you think these would work as a valance using those same ring clips? I'm thinking I wouldn't want them to hang down more than 12 - 14 inches from the rod so as not to cover too much of the window.
ReplyDeleteI have been struggling to find appropriate and affordable curtains for my family room. Thank you so much for this idea. Completed this weekend and they look great. The 4 tablecloths cost less than $50. I was looking at spending at least $200 on curtains. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteGlad to help. Now I'm wondering what you're going to do with the $150 savings!
Deletethose look lovely! fabulous idea! how did you hang them? are the curtain rings clips or did you have to sew holes into the tablecloth?
ReplyDeleteI used ring clips so that I wouldn't damage the cloth-then they can be used for their intended purpose later.
DeleteThe ring clips I used were purchased at Target.
DeleteAwesome! Love the black and white table-cloth :)
ReplyDeleteFlat twin sheets also work super.
ReplyDeleteWhat a super idea they look great!
ReplyDeleteI found this on Pinterest and had to laugh! I am sitting in my dining room with the exact same tablecloth curtains on my slider door. I like your style :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I LOVE your striped wall!!! Can you tell me the paint colors you used? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnd I am lovin' all of your cute ideas!!
Love the idea, how did you get the rings at the top on?
ReplyDeleteMarvelous idea!! Got 16 window-cum-door panels to cover, have been without curtains for 5 years, not having a large enough budget.....Eureka! you did it for me !! Can't thank you enough for the Great idea. Now my husband will have to budge.. I'm sure:) Huge hug!!
ReplyDeleteYou could also use tablecloths for shower curtains. For all window/shower curtain treatments you could use some of the extra fabric to make tab loops instead of clip rings or grommets. Tablecloths also make good cushion covers for the kitchen chairs or benches.
ReplyDeletehow do you put the ring throught the tableclothe at the top
ReplyDelete