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! Â 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
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.
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.
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)
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.
Step 2
Next, place your stitch witchery (bought at Michael’s Crafts) Â 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.
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.Â
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.
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.
Curtains are expensive and DIY Burlap Curtains are cheap and inexpensive.  
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.
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!Â
Debbie reFresh says
I love your curtains! Yay! for no sew. The room looks awesome 🙂
Debbie
Jessica Bruno says
Thanks Debbie!
Val says
How well does the stitch witchery work? I’m always afraid of it coming apart.
Anne M says
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!
Jessica Bruno says
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 🙂
Jane Petermann says
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
Jessica Bruno says
Hi Jane, they have been hanging for almost a year and this room gets full sun all day. No issues 🙂
Karen in Texas says
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
Amber says
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!
Camila says
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?
Tessa N says
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.
Debra Ruffing says
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!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you! I just lightly vacuum them once a month or so.
Jessica Bruno says
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.
Paula Plowman says
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
Jessica @ The Junk Nest says
These are just what I need! I just pinned this for reference! Thanks!
Thistle says
Love these curtains! What an easy and fun project! Pinning and scheduling. 🙂
Have a great day rock star!
karianne
Amber says
LOVE the look of your room!! Just found your blog via Thistlewood Farm. Can’t wait to check out more.
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Amber!
Ruby says
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!
Sue says
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!
Jenny@thelavendermagnolia says
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
Jessica Bruno says
Hi Jenny, I haven’t had any trouble with shedding. I did NOT wash them though, they may shed if you wash them.
Kim says
Really cute!
Becca says
Love them … they look fabulous in your beautiful space! “No sew” is my kind of project!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Becca 🙂 I don’t mind sewing but when I can get away doing this, I do! ha
Lisa @ Diary of a {wannabe} Domestic Diva says
I LOVE THESE! I was thinking about going with some IKEA panels at $24/pair but I love burlap! The whole room is gorgeous!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Lisa!