DIY Scrap Panel Curtain Panels

Several years ago, I wandered into my favorite fabric warehouse, stumbled upon the most gorgeous red checked fabric and decided I needed to have it.

At first, I just made panels for my kitchen.

Then a year or two later, I decided it was so pretty, it was exactly the style and color the living room needed.


Unfortunately, by the time I went back to buy more, that gorgeous pattern was discontinued. So I grabbed the last of what was on the roll...barely enough for the living room curtains, but I made it work.

I'd actually used a few scraps from the kitchen curtains to make panels to cover my glass cabinet doors, but once that was gone, I was out of business.

Of course, because I had to make do with what I had, the living room curtains always felt a bit skimpy to me. While the kitchen drapes were full enough to close, the living room ones were really just accent pieces.

Charming, but they never really felt right. 

In an effort to beef them up, over the years, I've added pom pom trim and coupled them with lace panels. 

My latest update was last fall, when I added lace cafe curtains to the room...and finally called it a day.

It was a fix that made me smile all winter long, giving the room a cozier feel during those chilly months...but I have to admit, I never stopped wishing I had a third panel for that big window behind the couch.


Then a few weeks ago, when I was cleaning out my hall closet, I found a box of fabric I'd forgotten I had tucked away.

And inside there were four long, skinny strips of that lovely, checked pattern. I have no idea why I would've cut the fabric that way...the goal is always fuller panels. 

But there they were. Unfortunately, individually they weren't doing anything for me. However, I thought that if I stitched them together I could get one extra panel out of them, to hang in the center.

Now before I go on, I want to explain why I'm sharing this DIY...since the number of people out there with this exact issue is going to be infinitesimally small. However.

• I'm sharing because I think that the general idea can have broader appeal - stitching a few thin strips of fabric together, can make a darling curtain. It's a creative way to use leftover fabric or to combine old curtains or ones you find second hand. With a little imagination you can create something truly unique. 

• It's a reminder that all scrap fabric panels don't have to look like a patchwork quilt. You can combine all white fabrics for example, strips of the same fabric, like I did, stitch together coordinating floral and checks, use this technique to create borders and more. 


• I'm also sharing it to say, whether it's a silly decor project that makes you smile or something much larger in life, my beautiful mother's motto has become my own - Never give up...where's there's a will there's a way. This project is proof of that.

How To Make Scrap Fabric Curtain Panels

1. Line Up Your Pattern

To start, I had to line everything up properly, matching all the squares, so once connected, they looked like one piece of fabric, which was harder than I thought it would be...

2. Clip Fabric Together and Sew

Nothing lined up the way it should, but after a while I made it work and started stitching the panels together.


It was a rather cumbersome process, navigating all those long strips, through my machine, but at least I was just sewing in a straight line.

No curves, twists or turns.


And after about 30 minutes, I was done.

Miraculously, I was able to match all those squares up well enough, without sacrificing too much of my precious fabric, to create one extra curtain panel.

3. Finish The Outer Edges

To complete my DIY, I just needed to finish the top, bottom and side seams. 

4. Add Trim (If Desired)

Oh yes, and I had to add those pom poms.

5. Gather Fabric To Hide Seams

To hang it up, I strategically placed the ring clips on the seams, so they'd be tucked inside a pleat. This can be done by gathering the fabric in a similar way if you have a rod pocket or pinch pleat drapes.

Completely invisible to the naked eye.


Making that center panel the center of attention in my living room.


All you see is my new fabulously cheerful addition for summer.

And one that will get cozier, when paired with those lace cafe curtains, for fall and winter.

Not bad for a few scraps.

Wouldn't you say?

😉

Looking for more curtain and rod ideas:

• Cheap & Easy DIY Curtain Ideas
• How To Hide A Curtain Rod Center Bracket 
• The Best Way To Store Curtains
• How To Make A Custom Bay Window Rod
• Easy Glass Door Curtain Pattern

Happy Stitching, Friends!