A quick fix for messy cabinets: Hide clutter with canvas curtains

Clutter be gone! Tiny bathrooms call for clever storage and a way to hide all the bottles, brushes and blow-dryers within. Add a set of canvas curtains to wooden crates hung on the wall for an inexpensive and tidy-looking storage solution. A band of fabric in a contrasting color adds visual interest and can pull a room together.

Learning to make curtains is a worthwhile time investment that will pay dividends for years to come. While this tutorial describes how to make curtains for a bathroom cubby, you can apply the same techniques to create a set large enough for windows or a doorway. Instead of running to the store and blowing the budget on mass-produced curtains, you’ll be able to create unique and beautifully fitting fixtures for almost any need.

Materials
- Canvas in two colors
- Measuring tape
- Fabric scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Sewing machine
- Straight pins
- Iron and ironing board
- Curtain rod

Instructions
1. Measure the cubby or cabinet you want to make the curtains for. The cubby in this project is 18 inches wide and 25 inches tall.

2. To create a contrasting band at the bottom edge of the curtains, divide the length of the cubby so the contrasting band is one-fifth of the total length. In this example and when completed, the main fabric will be 20 inches long, and the contrasting band will be 5 inches long.

3. For the main fabric, add 1/2 inch for the seam allowance and 5 inches for the top. The total length of the main fabric in this project is 25 1/2 inches. To determine the fabric width, divide the width of the cubby — in this case, 18 inches — in half, then add 4 inches of ease and 1 inch for the seam allowance. This means the total width of the fabric for this project is 14 inches. For the contrasting fabric, add 1/2 inch for the seam allowance and 1 inch for the hem allowance. The total length of the contrasting fabric in this project is 6 1/2 inches. The total width is the same as the main fabric, or in this instance 14 inches.

4. Using the measurements you found in steps 2 and 3, cut two pieces of the main fabric and two pieces of the contrast fabric.

5. Pin the short edge of the contrasting fabric to the short edge of the main fabric. Sew the two pieces together. Serge or use a zigzag stitch along the same edge, then press and topstitch the seam allowance.

6. Serge or use a zigzag stitch along all edges of the curtain pieces.

7. Turn the long sides under 1/2 inch for the seam allowance and stitch down.

8. Turn up the hem allowance and stitch down.

9. Turn down the upper edge 3 1/2 inches. Sew a line of stitches 1 1/2 inches down from the top and a second row of stitches 1 1/2 inches down from that line.

10. Thread the curtains onto a curtain rod, hang and enjoy!