Burlap is the new silk if you haven’t noticed. It is popping up everywhere. In perusing the Ballard Designs website and catalog, I have saw several items of interest, that acted as a jumping off point for me. I wondered how I could add a little burlap love to our country home.
I first made some simple burlap curtains for the bathroom windows. Although these were very simple to make, I found that after I finished, I was unable to use them because they were way too sheer and you could see right through them. I knew Mr. CH’s mother would not find that amusing when she came to visit. One solution would have been to line them with muslin, but I didn’t want to do that, because I thought it would block too much of the light. (Lesson learned – hold fabric up to window during day to see if fabric is too sheer BEFORE you cut it and preferably BEFORE you buy it.) So I ended up using a tan on creme toile fabric for these curtains, only covering half of the window, so that it would provide privacy, but still allow light to come into the bathrooms.
I then turned my attention to the bath tub, and decided to make shower curtains. I I needed two widths of fabric for the shower curtain, so I cut the fabric into two pieces. Then I choose one of those panels, and cut it in half length-wise. I pinned each half panel on either side of the solid panel. This is done so that there isn’t a seam in the middle of the shower curtain. Your eye forgives the the two side seams; however, it will not usually ignore one directly in the center. (When sewing a bed cover, it is even more important not to have a seam down the center.) I sewed the pieces together and then pressed the seams open. Next, I formed the hem for the top of the curtain (no need for a rod pocket here, although the sewing instructions are the same, either way.) The bottom of the curtain were also pressed and hemed.
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| Bottom of Shower Curtain |
I left the sides raw, since that added to the charm. (Okay, there is no fooling you… it also made the project easier and faster.)
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| Raw edge of Shower Curtain |
I didn’t even sew button holes at the top for the shower curtain hooks, since it wasn’t necessary. The fabric was so loosely woven, that the shower curtain hooks just went right through the fabric at the top. To ensure that the weight of the fabric wouldn’t pull, enlarging those holes, I put the hooks in the top above my seam, where there were three thicknesses of the fabric. That has worked beautifully.
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| Top of Shower Curtain showing placement of Shower Curtain Hooks |
I used a shower liner on the inside, to keep water off of the fabric, especially since the water would probably go right through the burlap onto our wood floors. Below is a picture of the shower curtain.
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| Burlap Shower Curtain |
I was looking for some more ways to use burlap, and found one. I used another piece of burlap as a tablecloth on our table outside. It wasn’t wide enough to hang over the sides, but that also seems to be a look I have seen other places, so I didn’t bother to make it any bigger and just used it like it, without any sewing. If it gets stained, then it just adds more character. (Works for me.)
Our shed has lots of windows and we wanted something to block the view of the things inside the shed so I also made three curtains for that building. And I still wasn’t done. I had one more burlap project left in me.
I found three inexpensive small ottomen at TJ Maxx. Is that the plural of ‘ottoman‘? My spell check says, “NO,” apparently it is ‘ottomans‘, which just doesn’t sound right. They were perfect in size, but I really didn’t like the fabric. It was too orangey brown. I made some simple slipcovers for each one. This may look complicated but it was very easy. I simply measured the sides and top of the ottoman and cut a piece of fabric for each side and the top. Using piping string from the fabric store, I made some burlap piping and sewed it around the top piece of fabric. I then sewed the four sides together, making sure that it would fit the top exactly. Next, I sewed the sides to the top. After heming the slipcovers, I was done.
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| Burlap Ottoman |
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| Another View |
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| Corner of Ottoman under Slipcover |
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| Aidan Gray Le Jardin Ottoman |
Moreover, he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the first set, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second set. Exodus 36:17
Ohhhhh, I like this. I particularly love the ottomans and shower curtain {I like yours much better, not a fan of fringe}.
I’ll have to figure out ways to incorporate burlap into my house {it’s more on the modern side, but with creams and beiges, lighter colors, so I think this would add some great contrast}.
I don’t think I would have ever thought of using burlap…but it’s so pretty!
I wish I had the sewing talent you have. I made a kitchen window curtain out of burlap. I love it. I used the iron-on stuff instead of sewing since I (1) hate to sew; and (2) gave my hand-me-down sewing machine to the girl across the street (she’s been making diaper covers for her baby). But, that “no-sew” project cost me a knee injury when I stepped out of the kitchen sink wrong! Can’t wait to see your other sewing projects!
Thanks for the suggestion, Peggy. That is true that you could probably use a new sew option instead.
Wow, lots of great ideas! New follower from the get wired wednesday hop. Hope you can take a moment and pop on over to my blog as well. 🙂 Have a great day!
Sandy~ Cherished Handmade Treasures
Great ideas. I love Burlap! It has come a long way.
Thank you for participating in this weeks Get Wired Blog Hop. I am following you. Have a great day!
Vickie
http://victoriasvoice44.blogspot.com
maybe I should break out the burlap I bought! wonderful job on the projects 🙂
good to see another Texan on the blogs.
not sure if you are near Cedar Hill (the town)but I love that state park and all the old buildings on the land.
Does the more “refined” burlap have the strong odor that the loose weave has? The lady at Joann’s told me that they use soy beans in the process of making it and that’s why it smells so bad. Can you wash the burlap?
I really loved the ottomen 😉 and plan to try covering a round one that I have.
Sharry
Sherry, you can wash the burlap but if it is the original burlap it does loose a lot of it’s shape. I haven’t washed the more refined burlap fabric. They all seem to have that odor but I don’t notice it now. So the smell must have dissipated since I made the ottomans and the shower curtain. I hope that helps.
I love your shower curtain! Do you mind telling me where you bought the great rod and hooks? Cheers
Oh that was so long ago, that I really don’t remember.
I made a room divider in our first apartment from Orange burlap… Hey it was the 1970s! I made a design in them by cutting some lengthwise threads, a loose weave and then tying them into a design… Wish I had a picture… We had new couch, chair and dining room furniture but used a ‘peck bushel’ for our scandaniavian lamps….a rustic look.
I do think I’ll try to replicate my memories into a wall hanging…
I’ll look for burlap here in Canada… Or go on a shop hop to Joann’s.
I do think the burlap smell disappears as it is used, but washing is tricky for the loose weave…
I have sewn since I was a little girl. I made curtains out of a sparkle burlap and cream muslin for our living room. Now I am going to make a shower curtain out of the left over burlap. I am going to use 2 inch diameter black curtain rings that clip onto the shower curtain. My shower curtain rod is black also.
I am decorating our guest bath in a Rustic Farmhouse Chic Eclectic design, by using white pottery (I have collected from Goodwill stores.) and galvanized metal. I am spray painting the sliver light fixture black. My tower bars, tp holder, and an over the stool metal storage shelf unit are black.
Lots of decorating ideas floating around in my head for that bathroom!
One of the best places I have found to buy different weights, colors and etc of burlap is at fabricdotcom I have bought many many fabrics from them for myself and for my clients.
Happy decorating everyone!