I have a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine. I love the idea of sewing, and really want to learn how to be more proficient at it. My mom is an amazing sewer, er, seamstress, but suffice to say, sewing is, in no way, a relaxing activity for me.
Quite the contrary.
I started working on some shower curtains for one of the kids’ bathrooms, since their shower curtain was looking pitiful and sad. (FYI, the black shower curtain was already in the bathroom when we bought it – I left it there since I knew I had plans to change it).
I found some linen-esque curtains at Goodwill that were extra-long and perfect, since there is a tall ceiling in their bathroom. But, they were lacking pizazz, and needed a little “somethin’-somethin'”, wouldn’t you agree?
I thought I would add “simple bands of fabric” to embellish them. Straight lines. Simple, right?
Alas, no, not so simple (for me anyway).
I’ll sum it up by saying that I had countless bent needles, and even a couple of broken ones. Yes, perhaps I’m a little slow on the uptake in that I kept trying to sew this thing without changing much in the way I was doing things.
This whole experience left me feeling like this:
The bent/broken needles were a first for me. It’s not like I was sewing denim or something crazy like that. But hindsight, I think I needed a heavier gauge needle (you Sewing Yodas out there must be thinking “Yeah, duh!”). I did adjust the thread tension (is that the right term?), which helped a little bit (meaning I had longer periods of time to work before the needle bent/broke/jammed my machine).
I decided to cut my losses and finished it off with some black grosgrain ribbon that I added with my beloved hemming tape.
Did I mention that all of this was just for the FIRST panel?
I’ll save you the details on creating the second panel – here are the highlights :
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Searched high and low for other band of fabric, only to find it under the couch cushion. Yeah, I’m organized like that.
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To alleviate any additional aggravation and another sewing debacle, I used hemming tape for second panel.
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Ran out of hemming tape. Enter trusty glue gun.
But, they’re DONE. Finally.
Thanks for stopping by!
Jenny
26 Comments
modern jane
February 3, 2011 at 4:13 pmWell I for one think that it was worth the time and frustration. They look awesome! And I can absolutely relate to the desire to be a good seamstress!
Elizabeth
February 3, 2011 at 4:16 pmfabuloso! I love your technique.. a glue gun and some hemming tape. I wish everything could get done with that.. I might finish a project or two!!
theultimate
February 3, 2011 at 6:02 pmI think they look great! Very classy. =]
Erin
February 3, 2011 at 9:31 pmLOL!!! You and I have EXACTLY the same feeling about sewing!! I know how to sew…I just hate to sew…because this is the type of stuff that happens every time I try. I'd rather sew it by hand and take 10 times as long then to deal with the sewing machine!
For what it's worth though….your shower curtains look FABULOUS! And they totally look (from here ) like you sewed them up like a pro! 🙂
alimoll
February 3, 2011 at 10:25 pmDespite the "pain in the you know what" process of getting them done…I think they look FABULOUS!!! 🙂
Kelly
February 3, 2011 at 10:45 pmThey are fabulous!! I, too, long to be an excellent seamstress, but at this point I'd settle for knowing how to operate a sewing machine on the most basic level. You've got me beat. 🙂
Lisa at Paint in my Hair
February 4, 2011 at 12:21 amthey look great! I too am in the middle of a project that is testing my sewing skills (or lack thereof) and have restored to hemming tape. Maybe tonight's the night I'll get it done.
The Starr Family
February 4, 2011 at 1:31 amTerrific… and worth every minute of stress, no? 🙂
I just ordered fabric yesterday to make a new shower curtain for our kids bathroom, this post was not very encouraging for me!!!! Ha!
Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement
February 4, 2011 at 2:03 amGreat job! I love that you used the tape and glue on them. I can sew, but really only straight lines. I'm not thrilled when I have to bring the machine out, so to use the magic hemming tape always makes me happy! 🙂
Karen
February 4, 2011 at 2:33 amThey came out great! worth the pain… yes?
Dani @ Drops in the Bucket
February 4, 2011 at 3:48 ambravo. way to be resourceful! and they look great.
Jane@Little House of Projects
February 4, 2011 at 5:42 amThey turned out great! I love the contrasting fabric panels.
Mom in High Heels
February 4, 2011 at 12:47 pmThat looks great! I know what you mean about sewing. I can sew like a mad woman, but I hate to! My undergrad degree is in English and Theatrical Costume Design, so I spent 4 years sewing for plays. Now though, it's something I absolutely dread it. Isn't that crazy?
Melissa
February 4, 2011 at 1:20 pmThey look great with your rug!
Carrie @ Dittle Dattle
February 4, 2011 at 2:14 pmWell, I can honestly say that it was worth all your effort because your shower cutains look great!
Emily
February 4, 2011 at 8:33 pmI just found your blog and I love your house! Your shower curtains are awesome. I too like the idea of sewing but end up with broken needles, knotted thread sometimes. Glad I'm not alone:)
FrouFrouBritches
February 4, 2011 at 10:20 pmBeautiful! You may have had a little trouble, but they turned out gorgeous!I love that fabric you added. Where did you find it? I made my kid shower curtain out of black and creamish ticking, which just looks dirty to me. That stripe is much better. Love it!
abeachcottage
February 5, 2011 at 12:50 amThe shower curtains turned out lovely. You did a great job! Love the color combination.
homepodge
February 5, 2011 at 3:47 amIt's fabulous… and definitely worth all the trouble! The black ribbon is a really nice touch!!
Tammy@InStitches
February 10, 2011 at 9:39 pmThey look so good ! You would never know they gave you such a hard time.
Martina
February 24, 2011 at 12:43 amI love it and I just became your newest follower. Would love if you stopped by my blog for a visit. Martina
The4Rs
May 10, 2011 at 3:44 pmPlease link this up on this weeks Reap What You Sew Giveaway, http://the4rsRamblings.blogspot.com
Beautiful idea, for those you love!
BizzyMom
November 4, 2011 at 8:48 pmThey look awesome!
Michelle Smith
January 17, 2013 at 9:23 amI agree to what you say in your blog. Thanks for the updates
Curtain
Yon Vann
February 28, 2013 at 7:45 pmYour kids’ bathroom looks serene and relaxing. You’ve just used a piece of clothing yet you ended up having a dazzling shower curtain. It really adds drama to the bathroom. It’s a wonderful idea, Jenny! 😀
Yon Vann
Ingwer
January 4, 2015 at 4:41 amI started working on some shower curtains for one of the kids' bathrooms, since their shower curtain was looking pitiful and sad. (FYI, the black … bcurtains.blogspot.com