Four Generations One Roof

How to make curtains using burlap

Don’t buy curtains again until you read this, updated 2019! Curtain panels are expensive and I have an affordable alternative. How to make curtains using burlap is probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to decorate a room especially if you have a lot of windows. Our family room has 10 large oversized windows and needless to say, purchasing curtains, custom or not, would have cost a pretty penny. The curtains I wanted were a light brown and cost $55 a panel. Yikes!  I decided to purchase burlap fabric in a natural color and if you know anything about burlap, it’s cheap!

How to make burlap curtains

How to make Burlap Curtains DIY Burlap Curtains No Sew Curtains using Stitch Witchery and an Iron.

PIN THIS FOR LATER

I had a coupon for Michael’s for 50% off so I paid a $1.50 per yard. I used 3 1/2 yards per panel. Not only did the burlap add a great color to the room, the texture was the icing on the cake.

I love how you can see through the new burlap curtains.

Burlap Curtains

Burlap curtains add phenomenal texture to a space. Our family room is large and the burlap texture helps create warmth without leaving a heavy look around the windows. Each window has two burlap curtain panels.

How to make Burlap Curtains DIY Burlap Curtains No Sew Curtains using Stitch Witchery and an Iron. DIY living room curtains. $7 dollar curtain panels

Burlap curtains in a modern farmhouse living room, white sectional, green buffet, blue walls, shiplap white walls, pink hydrangeas, wood and iron coffee table, tripod floor lamp

I love how the light brown burlap curtain panels look against the blue/green wall color.

The wall color is call Wythe Blue by Benjamin Moore.

So fresh and clean.

Burlap curtains, black curtain rod, in a modern farmhouse living room, blue walls, shiplap white walls, flying dove on wall, white pitcher with greens, white wood shelf

How to make burlap curtains

So lets get started.

I found most of the items needed to make the burlap curtains at Michaels Crafts. You can buy these items though at just about any store.

Stitch Witchery

Curtain pins

Scissors

Iron filled with water (for steam)

Dritz Stitch Witchery, curtain pins, orange handled scissors

You will need to make sure that your iron is nice and hot and has a steam feature. I would suggest that you have a large area (like the floor) to work on.

Step 1

Simply fold a hem (I folded about 10 inches for deep pocket) and pin.

burlap curtains fabric with stitch witchery and sewing pins on berber carpet floor

Step 2

Next, place your stitch witchery (bought at Michael’s Crafts)  where you would normally sew a hem.

You may want to consider having a towel or large blanket under your burlap panel to protect the carpet.

If you find that your burlap curtain has an odor, be sure to read my post on how to eliminate burlap odor.

Burlap curtain panel and iron steaming hem on curtain panel, white berber carpet

The stitch witchery really works well and the burlap stuck great to it.

You can use the stitch witchery all around the sides if you want a hemmed look throughout your panel. I chose to have a deep pocket top hem,  the edges frayed on the sides and  a small hem on the bottom.

It’s a matter of preference so go with what you like!

Here is a picture of the family room during Christmas. 

Burlap curtains, white shiplap walls, blue wall paint, white sectional, red and white Christmas tree, brown wicker coffee table storage trunk, red poinsettia, red nordic throw blanket, santa hat, christmas gifts

In about 45 minutes, I made 10 burlap curtains for this room.

If  you are looking for a lighter colored burlap panel, be sure to check out our no sew “white” burlap curtain project embellished with twisted sisal polka dots.

white burlap curtains with sisal roping detail, stone wall, slider door, wood bench, pink plaid pillow, pink flower bench cushion, sisal basket, candles

We have burlap curtains hanging in two rooms now in our house. It’s such an easy and inexpensive way to add curtains that looks great.

I remember when the photographers showed up for the magazine, they couldn’t believe the burlap curtains were made from raw burlap.

DIY burlap curtains, Whythe blue wall paint, white shiplap, white sectional, blue rug, blue end table, pottery barn inspired media console, glass lamp, gray and yellow pillows

Curtains are expensive and DIY Burlap Curtains are cheap and inexpensive.  diy burlap curtains, seashells sign, wood candle holders, diy flower fabric wall art, whythe blue paint, white shiplap, white diy shelf

diy burlap curtains, seashells sign, wood candle holders, diy flower fabric wall art, whythe blue paint, white shiplap, white sectional, blue and white pillows , tripod table lamp, white diy shelf

Burlap Curtains alternatives

If you are not a fan of burlap curtains, you can purchase any type of fabric and follow this same process. I prefer fabric with some polyester and not 100%. You want to make sure that the fabric has a bit of texture to it and curtains hangs nicely.

Burlap curtains in a modern farmhouse living room, white sectional, green buffet, blue walls, shiplap white walls, pink hydrangeas, wood and iron coffee table, tripod floor lamp

This tutorial of how to make curtains using burlap is I think the best money saving project I have done so far. Not only do the burlap curtains  add great texture, character and color to the room, I think it gives the overall room the light and airy feeling I was going after. The only downfall is you cannot wash burlap curtains but for the cost, I am happy to just shake the curtain panels outside a couple times a year.

You can see many more pictures of these curtains in our family room + “Fall Home Tour” post as well as how we added wide pine planks to the walls to create a modern cottage feel. If you are feeling really ambitious, check out Kari Anne’s smocked burlap curtains over at Thistlewood Farms. She didn’t make them but boy if you felt like sewing, these would be perfect! Also, did you see our “how to reupholster a chair” tutorial (+video)? It’s a reupholstery “no sew” tutorial and it’s fairly easy, be sure to check it out! 

Comments

    • I used some on a pair of pants I made into shorts about 15 yrs ago and they are still fused and doing great! iron on hem tape is great - only tip I have is make sure it's really fused. once it is your good to go!
      Reply

    • Hi Val, they have been hanging for almost a year and no issues! I don't close them a lot so that may help but they do get opened and closed maybe once or twice a week but nothing major. They are very durable and the stitch witchery has worked great for me :)
      Reply

  3. Hi Jessica, I also have a lot of windows to do in our new home. I have worked with burlap before and I'm concerned about them fading quickly. Have you noticed any problems with fading yet? I suppose I could line them but that would up the cost and time involved. Jane
    Reply

  4. Jessica - most burlap smells horrible - how did you get rid of the smell? I love the curtains - they look great ! I am wanting to make some but just concerned that it would take forever before they didnt stink !!(Love your blog! Karen in Texas
    Reply

    • Karen... I sew alot with burlap (drapes, valances, pillows and table runners) and yep, Burlap is smelly at first but it dissipates rather quickly. Don't wash it!! You will make it super fuzzy and it softens too much and gets wrinkled. After you sew and hang them, spray with febreeze or any other room freshener. I use linen spray for my pillows and runners and the burlap smell usually goes away quickly. Even on panels that I've just hung with no spray, it goes away in a couple of days. :) Hope that helps!
      Reply

      • Hi, Thank you for this very easy DIY tutorial. I loved it so much I did y right away for my house. I used natural color burlap for my dinette and kitchen. It looks so cute! And then I did white for my living room. I love the "homey yet vintage" look the curtains give a room. I've had them up for about a week but I'm finding fuss all over...the floor, bookshelves, clothes. I think I'm even gettig allergies or at least irritation from the fussy residue of the curtains. Is this usually a problem? Can I do something to stop them from shedding this fussy residue? Will it kid of wear off after sometime of use? I didn't wash them, I did steam Iron the ones in my kitchen. I am devastated to think I might have to find another curtain alternative because these look so cute but my nose and throat are very itchy and I can't think what else it can be but the fuss that I've been finding.Any suggestions or ideas on what I can do?
        Reply

        • You can try using fabric starch. Starch, then iron the burlap and it should hold most of the fuzzies in place without damaging the burlap/making it fray.
          Reply

      • How do you clean them? I always wash my burlap before using it. I have two kitties and the fuzzy stuff that drops from it can get in their paws and really irritate them. I do all my burlap cutting outside if weather permits. I love the drapes!
        Reply

    • Thanks Karen!They only smelled a little for a couple days. I did spray them though with cold water (I pinned them with clothes pins to keep the crease look) so that may have helped get rid of the smell.
      Reply

    • I soaked mine in a gallon of vinegar then put water in the tub to just cover them then let them soak for a couple days moving them around a couple times. Then rinse I hung mine in the shower to rinse cause this stuff gets heavy when wet lol you could hang them outside and spray with the hose too but I made in January. Then let them hang to dry. Making sure to keep them as neat as possible the wrinkles made when they are wet are very hard to iron out. Then make curtain and hang. They will have a slight smell for bout a week but it goes away. I would not reccomend spraying any kind of air fressener on them. And yes they get darker as they are in the sun. Hope this helps
      Reply

  8. Love them. Our Michaels does not sell fabric by the yard... but guessing I can find at Hobby Lobby or even Wal Mart... and fuse web is my friend so looks like I might actually be able to make this happen!
    Reply

    • The Michael's near me doesn't have material either, so I went to Hobby Lobby. I bought some white burlap to make curtains for my bedroom. I got it for $2.79 a yard but got 40% off showing the code on my iPhone! I can't wait to get started! I'm going to just make the curtains today, but want to try doing that Sisal Roping project on your blog, That will add some texture to my room!
      Reply

  9. How timely. I just lost my job while my husband was in the middle of painting our dining room a whole new color. I had such dreams for my tiny little dining room! I desperately need new curtains and now I will give these a go. Right on my budget!One question - are they shedding much?Jenny
    Reply

  12. I LOVE THESE! I was thinking about going with some IKEA panels at $24/pair but I love burlap! The whole room is gorgeous!
    Reply

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