You're gonna love this stuff!!!
Okay… I don’t, in ANYWAY pretend to be a semtress or know what I’m even doing most days! I did however, complete this No-Sew Burlap Curtain project ALL on my own! I didn’t read any books, or watch any U-Tube videos (I’m sure there are plenty tutorials to view) or have someone do it for me! I just decided I needed curtains in my NEW “Big Girl Room” and wasn’t in the mood to spend $40-$50 a panel at Ballard Designs (even though they were my inspiration and my fave catalog).
Love Ballard Designs!!!
Step 1: Head to your closest fabric store (Joe Ann’s for me) to get 5 1/2 yards of Burlap and a pack of Stitch Witchery. They will have several colors of Burlap to choose from. If you don’t know which one is best, just close your eyes and point. I went with the standard lightish beige color. Does that help? Don’t know what Stitch Witchery is? Just ask the store your in to point you in the direction and grab a roll that is about 3/4 inch wide. Your going to love this stuff too!!! But a little goes a long way and it only costs a couple bucks!
Note: I’m an eyeballer… meaning I measured the approximate height of where the curtain rod and rings were going to go and cut my fabric length from there. I always over guess (which is good if your lazy at measuring like me)! You will have a small puddle of fabric after hung, but we will fix that later. I have 8 ft ceilings is this particular room… so there.
Also note: my burlap was ONLY $2.99 a yard, so I added and extra yard to play with… so glad I did, I can’t get enough of the stuff.
No Sew!!!
Step 2: Get out that dusty old iron and the iron table (mine hasn’t seen the light of day since the children were born. (Has it really been almost 8 years? Certainly not!) You will want to iron out the wrinkles and lines on the burlap. Make a fold about an inch wide at one end of the panel. Tuck the Stitch Witchery in between the folds and follow the directions to iron the SW.
Note: Again, I just guessed how much SW to cut by measuring the width of the fabric.
Dusty Old Iron
Step 3: Put curtain rod clips on rod and clip on curtains! (Wow can you believe it? You’re almost done!!!) Now mark a place on the bottom edge of your burlap where the curtain should touch the floor.
Simple
Note: At this point you have two options. 1.~Cut the fabric (straight line please). Start pulling the horizontal strings and you will have a frayed edge. 2.~Make a hemmed edged to match the top (with Stitch Witchery of course)
I love a fray!
Step 4: Clip the backs of your curtains together so they will have that “Curtainey Wave” look (I know Mom, “curtainey” is not a word). Otherwise, they will hang more flat and boring. Leave for a couple days to help “set” the fabric. Easy Peasy 
Clip Em Good from the Back
Step 4: Take a picture and send to all your friends to show them how fabulous you are. Oh Yeah… you will want to wash your cloths and take a shower when you’re done because this stuff sheds like an unkept retriever dog!!!
A Complete Project is a Happy Project
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Does the smell from the burlap dissipate over time? I just bought some and have lots of ideas, but don’t want all the rooms smelling like burlap. Thanks- love the curtains!
Love it! I need curtains in my living room and these would be a great solution (and cheap!) BTW – love, love LOVE your wall color.
Thanks for the tutorial! I also love the curtains in the Ballard’s catalog but could not even think about paying that much for burlap! This is just what I was looking for, thanks so much! You did a fantastic job.
Where did you get the chair? I have been looking but have yet to find one! Help!
K love the curtains. Ive been wanting to make some {burlap curtains} for the house im living in right now and was a little curious on how it would look. Im wanting to do something on the lines of a rod pocket balloon type curtain.. Since you said you had to pin your curtains in the back, do you think I would need to stuff mine with news paper or something else to make them not sag?? Thanks for sharing pics of your lovely curtains.
Have a good one
Jennifer
Love my curtains! I let the burlap air out outside for 2 days. I didn’t think I was going to be able to get rid of the smell but after two days outside they were fine. Now after two days inside I can’t even smell them anymore and neither can my husband and children. I love them! Thank you for the idea they look so airy and summery!
I came over from your link on the shabby nest…Your curtains are fabulous. I am also crushing on that gorgeous chair of yours. Great job!!
These turned out great! I once used burlap for some curtains in the kitchen, but they didn’t have the impact your floor length ones do. Well done!
The curtains are great…but the room is fantastic! Love the wall color, love the chair, love it all!
I think your curtains look BETTER than Ballard’s!!! I like the lighter color much more. Great job!
new over from Shabby Nest….love your burlap panels! You did a great job!!!! …gives me hope that I can do it!
Now a very happy follower!
I made these same curtains last year to wrap around our porch and then put twinkling lights (white christmast lights) along the top of the curtain rods. I love them! I should have used stitch witchery it would have been easier, but I stitched the hem in.
painting,
Candylei
what a fantastic idea! thanks for the post. they look great
Does the 5 1/2 yards make one panel or do you cut that in half to make two panels?
I LOVE burlap drapes and I put them in my 2 front rooms with 15 ft celings. The one thing I would advise is to make sure you line them, you can use just cheap white sheets. If you don’t have anything on the windows, like shades or blinds, the sun WILL bleach the burlap. I learned the hard way. I lined mine and the edges still bleached out, but they are in direct sunlight most of the day. Oh well, they’re so cheap, I’ll just make new ones when they start to look too bad.
Can I cover a basic roller shade with burlap?
Is that true? Is this your own design without asking any help to anyone?
If it’s true, then It was really amazing. You are very creative.
Thanks for sharing a tutorial on doing it.
I’m sure somewhere in my past days of flipping through magazines for over 20 years, I cam a cross the idea somewhere! But as far as Asking for help… I’m just a figure it out as you go! You can see how easy it is and decided, if I can do it with out sewing, ANYONE can!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
How is the shedding? I have washed and dried the burlap several times. I did this with a burlap table runner I had made, and it eliminated a lot of the fibers. But that sat still, these curtains are in a high traffic area and I’m worried that the fibers will never stop coming out. Any tips?
Love the curtains. I am doing my little boys room in a cowboy/rustic theme and just thought of burlap curtains tonight. Soo I come to the www and your page is the first one I pull up. THNX
fantastic! love the whole room and the colours are great!
I LOVE these! I’d been thinking of using burlap for curtains for my guest room – which happens to be about the same color as the room in your photos – but I couldn’t figure out how. These look really simple – I can’t wait to try them! Thanks so much!
I am planning on making burlap curtains for my dining room, this is a great tutorial!! I googled burlap curtains and found you’re blog. I’m enjoying reading it.
Love this idea! I made burlap table runners for my wedding–16 of them! I wanted to share a tip that helped me so much when working with the burlap. Iron on high heat (the setting for linen)–I was worried at first but the burlap can take it. And the absolute best tip I can give: starch, starch, starch! Go heavy! It really helps to get the wrinkles out, stiffens up the fabric just enough, and somewhat seals the fibers in and gives it a finished look. Happy burlap crafting!
Please help…i made burlap curtains…they are gorgeous…BUT THE SMELL IS HORRIBLE. I washed them in detergent..that DID NOT HELP. Also remember……THEY SHRINK ABOUT 5 INCHES WHEN YOU WASH THEM!
How do I get rid of the smell?
I’ll be honest… I never thought about washing them first! I did have someone respond that they ironed them with starch and that helps the shedding (comment before yours). Mine are in a room that I don’t sit near them daily, so I haven’t had a problem with the smell… maybe the smell will get better with time, I HOPE FOR YOUR SAKE! Good luck and thanks for commenting!
THANKS for the kind comments!!! Enjoy!!!
No good tips here… I just had a whim and made them! I have received MANY comments on how folks are doing theirs though, hope this helps!!!
As for smelly burlap, just buy some that is labeled hydrocarbon free. This stuff isn’t treated like most utility burlaps (ie those for food storage or landscape use). I bought 23 yards on onlinefabricstore.net and I’d highly recommend them–shipped quickly and rolled up nicely. It’s so difficult to get the smell out if you have treated burlap!
Thanks for these great instructions. I whipped four panels together yesterday to use in place of my old ugly 1970s closet doors. The smell is terribly strong but according to reviews of Ballards buyers (who sprang for the ready-made) it does dissipate after a while. I made the four curtains for $40 total vs. $200 plus s/h for ready-made.
Is the burlap fabric wide enough to use the panel as a shower curtain? I have 10ft ceilings in the bath & a double, rounded shower bar. I want to hang the bar higher than the usual 72 inches. Thinking 84″ or 96″. I want to hide the contents of shower so I have no interest in pulling them to the sides. Any ideas so I do not have to spend $100 on a curtain would be appreciated. Love the burlap!
Hi Julia… If I’m not mistaken, the fabric is on’t 54 inches wide. I suppose you could use the Stitch Witchery to double your width. Good Luck!
Like Crystal, I am decorating my son’s room in a cowboy theme and thought burlap curtains would be perfect! Someone suggested buying a huge burlap sack instead of the fabric store to save money…. and they were right… it was dirt cheap! The problem is the sack has been chemically treated and stinks!! Do any of you know if it’s possible to get the chemicals out? If not, guess I’ll have to scrap the “sack” idea and repurchase my burlap from the fabric store!
Thanks!
Ronda
Ronda… I am afraid the smell is in the fabric as well. It eventually subsides, but mine was not in an everyday room. My suggestion might be to leave it out in the bright sun for a couple days in a place that won’t get damp. Have you tried googling about the smell? It’s the price to pay for such a great idea…LOL!
please let me know where i can purchase the braclet in ur 2009 posts the Bible verse i know the plans i have for you thanks and please help
Beautiful job!! I can’t wait to make these
Question for you… Does the 5-6 yards of burlap make 1 curtain panel, or is it meant to be cut in half to make both? If you’ve already answered this I apologize for being redundant! Please let me know. Thanks!
Ashley
I did not think I would be able to get rid of the smell, but after two days of rest they were fine. Now, after two days inside I can feel them even more and we can not my husband and children. I love them! Thanks for the idea that they are so airy and summery!
hospital curtains
I love these! And they sound so easy! I’m totally going to give it a try. Thank you for a beautiful inspiration!!! What type of stitch witchery did you use? Heavy weight?
Is it seriosuly that easy! I am definitely doing this in the guest bathroom!!!
I have been looking for a way to decorate my windows. Is the material very stiff? I have a 10′ patio door window and want to do 3 panels; I want to (on the top) fold and make like a rose; do you think the material too stiff to accomplish this?
Love your ideas.
Thank you
Making some burlap cafe curtains for my kitchen right now. I love the frayed edging. These look great. BTW, I’m not big on sewing either and I absolutely LOVE Stitch Witchery. I hand-stitched the ones I’m working on now though. Thanks for all the tips.
Hi, I am going to make a pillow today, I am trying really hard to get the wrinkles out, use the hottest setting? I too have not used an iron in a very long time (had to call Mom and ask what the red light meant,duh..) in any case I plan on stenciling it too. Thank you for the introduction to witchery! I have an awesome sewing machine, but have no clue how it works.. thats the next project unless the witchery really wins my heart. Thanks for tutorial!
thanks i did buy burlap curtains from ballards for dining room and den but now i need for garage and dormers on front new house (has 31 windows) so i love your no sew idea thanks (no sew much ) really thanks abunch !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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