Duvet Cover

This tutorial will be very similar to the curtain tutorial. The easy, cut corners, type.

Typically duvet covers are used for down comforters as a way to protect them (since they are filled with down, usually you need to dry clean them, which is expensive). If you have a duvet and it gets dirty, you take it off of the comforter and wash the duvet.

I'm actually making this duvet for a regular comforter. Not to protect it, but to hide it. It isn't that it's ugly, but it's not pretty and it no longer goes with our decor plans for the new place. Also, it's in perfectly good condition so we should use it, with some minor adjustments.

Disclaimer: Honestly I've never done a duvet cover, but I believe in myself so I will show you my step by step and hopefully it will turn out.

I decided to make a 3 panel duvet (because finding fabric wide enough would be crazy expensive and because I had material left over from those curtains I made) that looks something like this:

To be honest I did some research on google to find possible ways to go about making a duvet and there are a ton of tutorials. Some are doing a 3 panel but using the same material for all 3 panels, like on House of FIfty, so it would only have one pattern. Some are using 2 flat sheets in the size of the comforter to make a duvet like on this post from sewing 101 (I originally wanted to do this but couldn't find any flat sheets sold separately that I liked). If you don't like my plans, use some google magic to get other ideas. They may be more to your taste than this one.

First I got out the comforter I wanted to cover to make measurements. I believe that if you have 5 yards of each two different fabrics or 10 yards of the same fabric, you should be good for a full sized duvet. I placed the panels of fabric in the pattern I planned to use and cut it accordingly. I knew I wanted the print down the middle so I started there, making 2 identical pieces and cutting them leaving room for the hem lines (don't forget that you should have a plan in place for the closure. I decided on buttons. While they are a bit more work they are easier than zippers and look better, in my opinion, than ties) and the closure hems.

After that I cut the other fabric a tiny bit longer (to account for its different weight and how it "shrunk" while I was sewing the curtains).

And then cut those in quarters length wise.

Then I laid them all out to note how much seam allowance I would have.

Next I sewed the pieces together to make 2 big panels. I thought this would make it easier to work with at this point. During this step you should also note the selvage edge. You want to sew as close to it as possible, but if yours is like mine, it has writing on it. Sew as close a possible and try not to let those words show. Now I have 2 big pieces of fabric to work with.

Not really knowing how to add the buttons later I decided now would be the best time.I decided that if I folded down one side of the panel where I wanted the buttons to go and sewed it I could then hand sew on the buttons.

After that I pinned down the whole length of the blue patterned piece. Do this identically to the other piece of fabric. You want the sides even and you'll need a place for the holes. Sew these down along the fold. They will be easier to deal with.

I needed to then hand sew on my buttons because I don't have a fancy machine that does buttons. I spaced them out as evenly as I could.

Notice how I put my buttons on the inside. I didn't want them to show, I didn't have all matching buttons. If you like your buttons and want extra detail, put them on the outside. Up to you.

After that I would take the other piece and put it together like you will want it to button up when finished. It's very important that you line up the buttons to mark where you will put the holes because otherwise you will make a mistake like I did. I placed both panels wrong side up when measuring for the holes and while sewing the holes I realized this. Put the panels wrong sides touching together so the fabric will measure how it will be once all sewn together.

For the button holes you make a tiny rectangle for the length of the pins and only about 1/8 on an inch wide. I used two lines on my machine guide that are right next to each other.

After that I lined up the 2 panels (right sides touching together) at the top and the bottom so when sewn together It would line up and look nice. Make sure you pin the sides with buttons and holes together and line up the patterned pieces.

I had to cut open the panels on the sides where the buttons and holes where places so that I could really line up the fabric and sew close enough to the fold line to make it look like one straight line.

I really tried to lay this fabric as flat as possible and pin all the way around, but I just couldn't get it to lay right. So I pinned at the most important spots (all the seams that the fabric changes so that they would line up) and hoped that the fabric would "fall" into place while sewing. It did and that took a lot of time and patience. If you aren't using a fabric like mine that is slick and moves a lot, I totally recommend pinning as much as possible.

I started sewing from the side near where the buttons would be. I thought this would be easiest because I'm smart and that is the easiest way...I worked my way slowly around until I got to the other side of the button panel. DON"T SEW THIS SHUT. This will be the opening where you will put in/take out your comforter. Along the way I added ribbons as ties in the corners to hold the comforter into place while in the duvet cover. If you don't magically have ribbon laying around that you can use, you could also cut strips of fabric leftover from anything really. These won't be seen. Make the strips about a foot long to that you have 6 inches to work with.

After sewing around the whole duvet I reinforced the opening where the comforter would be pulled in and out of the duvet.

I actually trimmed down the hems, as you can see from the photo, some trimming needed to happen! (I thought about tacking the fabric down at the seams, but I didn't want to).

Imagine this in a different room with different pillows and a different colored wall. I actually think it turned out alright.

Thanks for reading!

Have any questions? I'm happy to try!

Curtain Tutorial

Alright, this is going to be long. Sorry for that but I have a LOT to say about these "clothes" for our windows. We still have about 2 months until I make my move out to California, but if there is one thing I know about moving...it is that you can't over plan or organize. So I am working on some of my proposed projects before I make the trek so when I get out there I can focus on the things I can't work on now (ex. counter tops and tiling my bathroom).

Here we go. We'll start by a couple things you should know/think about when deciding on your curtains.

First, the reason. I like my curtains to dress up a window, not cover the window. If you are trying to block out sun or block a view that the neighbors may have, this will vastly change your application of my tutorial, materials used and width.

Second, the length. I like my curtains to start at the top of the windows and go to the floor, regardless of the window length. This make the ceilings appear taller. This could also be a problem with small children or cats getting tangled/destroying the part of the curtains that they can reach.

Also. I must put in here that making your own curtains isn't always the cheapest way. Much to Brian's chagrin, I really like to be cheap (not frugal, I literally just want to pay nothing for things...I have no reason) so I do a LOT of shopping before I decide on my plan of action. To be fair, I have a lot more windows and rooms to deal with this time around so I can't just be spending all our funds on one thing or only part of the house will be done. That said, you may be able to find really nice curtains in colors/style you like for what it would cost to buy fabric.

For instance these curtains

cost me less than $14 for both!!! "How?", you ask. Well, I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond and in their clearance looked to see if I could find ANY matching curtain panels in ANY of my color schemes. I found one that had never been opened for $9.99 (originally $39.99). I liked it and was desperate to find a match. It was hard because the match was in different packaging, it had been used as a display. I took it out and it looked good enough to me so I took it, 6.99. Did you math that? Doesn't work does it? Wanna know a secret about Bed, Bath and Beyond? Those coupons they send you for 20% of any single item can be used on sale items and you can use as many as you have items for (ie you want to buy 5 things, you can use 5 coupons) and they don't expire! So NEVER  throw those out and when you receive them put them directly into that seat back pocket in your car, that way if you do happen to find a great deal on something they are there, ready to use.

Ok, so I only found one matching set. So I still needed to find another, to finish out bedrooms linens (I yet to make a plan for all the curtains I need for my living spaces...). Off to Hancock Fabrics we go. We had originally decided on navy blue satin for the curtains (I do let Brian pick out some things, this was one), but we found a nice white satin with tiny silver threads in it on sale for like $3.99 a yard, except when I took it to the counter for the nice lady to cut she said it was down to $1.97 a yard!!! (If you don't shop for fabrics a lot you should know one thing: be very nice to the ladies, they are chock full of good ideas/tips/hints/generosity.) When I told her I wanted 7 yards I asked if she thought there was enough. She thought there was and started to unroll the bolt. Upon unrolling the bolt we figured out why it was marked down, stains. I asked her if she thought they would come out (getting ready to take it with stains in case there wasn't enough) and she said she was going to give me the stained part but still counted out the 7 yards I needed after the stains, plus we were at the end of the bolt so she threw in the last extra yard or so and only charged me for 7 yards! $14 for the fabric for my curtains and if the stains come out (which they did!) extra material for a duvet and throw pillows (for another room, don't wanna be to matchy-matchy). Plus she also let me know that over Memorial weekend they would be having more crazy sales with coupons and to come back then...oh, I'll be back.

Ok, moral of that long story is shop around. Now to make these curtains. For most DIYers, this is a super easy task. I'm no different, this is easy as pie. I'll make the tutorial for those of you who have never done this. First, read the manual of your new sewing machine. (Seriously, because I don't know how yours works. You should also learn how to fill a bobbin. If you don't know what that is, curtains are still too hard for you. On some material, that you aren't going to miss when you jack it up, practice sewing a straight line. That is all you will need to know how to do this.)

First cut the material. I like to cut my material 8ft long. This makes it as long as the typical wall height until we factor in the hem lines, which I think make the curtains not so long that they are touching the floor, but still plenty long for the visual effects.I don't cut the material width wise (selvage edges)because I like the volume of that width and you can always move that part around on the rod until it looks the way you want.

Next, sew down the selvages (the widths, you can tell which sides are the selvages because they will be "scruffy" not smooth like where you just cut. They are made this way so the material doesn't unravel). You'll want to fold the material so that the wrong sides (the side of the material that isn't the pretty side) are touching. I should mention that some people will fold their material over twice so it looks super polished and the selvages are hidden away (think about when you roll your pants and fold them twice instead of once, it hides the edge) but I don't see the point, they are going to be up against a wall anyway. Sew all selvage edges at once. I typically use the guide lines on the sewing machine to know how much to hem. I should pin the hem down and iron it, but this is really time consuming and tedious. I have enough motor skills to eyeball it, so do you.

After that it is time to get out those pins and the curtain rod you plan to use.
One note on curtain rods, they can be expensive and also easy to make. Some ideas for curtain rods include tension (shower) rods, (they hang right up in the window sill so no hammers or screws, plus they can be cheaper.) PVC pipe (painted if you feel inclined and I think you do...) and dowel rods (I used one in the 1st picture above and cut it so that the rod was only the length of the tiny wall space, so easy and cheap!) You need the curtain rod now because you need to measure the size of the opening to slide the curtain onto. If you want you can go generic and leave an inch+ gap, that usually covers it but I feel that the closer to the correct size the opening is, the better they look.
Again, you are putting the material right side (pretty side) down and folding it so the wrong sides are touching. You will be sewing 2 straight lines on this side of the fabric. Look at how my pins are placed.

That's how you should measure the opening to fit your rod, if you don't have the rod yet leave a decent sized gap between the lines, (1-2 inches) just remember that size when you go to buy the rods. At this point you'll need to pin the other side. I just line up the first side next to the second side and get them as close as possible.

At this point you should put a couple more pins to keep the material from moving around too much and ruining your measurements. Again, you could just iron the fold and then it wouldn't move as much, but I really hate doing this...so no. Also, again with folding the material under to get that super polished look and again I don't see the point, plus I would need to do more measuring. Not bloody likely.

Now to keep you from feeling like you need to draw a line down the material to help sew a straight line, look at how the material lines up on the machine. I like to find a place that I feel the material should be near to for me "eyeball" the line and I use the presser foot as another indicator. I like to take out the pins and not sew over them. Up to you but I think go slow and take them out right before you sew over them...We have not yet talked about reinforcing the seams, it is where you go backwards and forwards over the same seam to make it stronger.You should do it at the beginning and each of these two lines. Putting on and taking off a curtain to/from the rod could loosen those seams and then you would need to redo them. Just reinforce now and feel free to move them as much as necessary.

After you have both lines sewn it is time to hem the bottom. Again I don't iron or double fold, but you can if you have the time/desire. I also reinforce the seams here. Just for funsies. Eyeball that hem using the guidelines provided to you by the presser foot and the machine.

Now they should be done. Hang them up. If something went wrong get out your seam ripper and fix it.

These are just hanging in my hallway for now.
When they go in the new place I'll take
another pic!

Questions? Comments? Did you try this and want to share? Do you want some guidance on a little more complicated curtain, with a lining perhaps? I can help, comment below!

Thanks for reading.

Offer made and accepted

So Brian and I have began the purchasing of our first home. We are both new to this and the closing process is no joke. Paperwork everywhere! We have a bunch of really great people helping us throughout the process, which is much appreciated!

I'll post the photos from the listing here.

Here it is. Our new place.

It lacks curb appeal, but the yard is in good condition.

I hope to add a porch onto the front. 

As much as we love the grass, a good portion will need to go.
California is constantly in a state of drought.
We will do our part by watering as little as possible,
which means a change in the landscape.

When you walk in you will be in the living room.
We aren't changing much in here.
Maybe just knocking out the wall to the left,
it is shared with the kitchen.
Later you can see many projects that will include curtains, a rug
and an ottoman for the decor.

Off the living room is our dining room.
Expect to see changes to the paint color
and the light fixture.
Projects include a new table top for our table,
a rug and curtains and possibly a bench.

The Kitchen, while functional, will be receiving
the most upgrades. Our projects include:
painting the walls and cabinets,
new counter tops/back splash and light fixtures and
knocking out the wall on the right that connects to
the living room. 

This is part of our huge family room.
In this section you will see a sitting area and our bar.
I turned a dresser into a bar once,
it now needs more work.
Tune in for the project.

This is the other side of the family room.
We are going to make this half the band room.
Wait for the mural that Brian paints.
Curtains made by me.

Master bedroom.
Change the color.
Brian has requested a padded headboard.
I will post the project.
Brian will be working on a rug for this room also.

Master bedroom, shot 2.
The wall with the mirror is a non functional closet.
It will come out and Ikea PAX closets will go in.
I'll be making more curtains.
Also the trim is to be changed
and the other closet (not shown) doors are a project.

Boy's room.
This room needs little work.
Just a change to the base trim and the
creation of a work station for Brian.
I'm attempting to make the rug for this room.
Also the closet doors.

Girl's room.
This room needs more work.
Change the color of the walls and trim.
Projects:
Closet doors and my craft station.
Building of table/headboard/nightstands.
Building of a trundle bed.
Brian makes a rug.
I make a duvet.

The backyard isn't getting much work. We need the yard space for the dogs.
We plan to try to make one of those pallet sectionals everyone else is making.
I want a couple more bushes.
Brian wants a grill.
Done.

There are some pictures that didn't show up in the listing.
-2 bathrooms.
Both need new sinks, faucets, mirrors and lighting.
One needs a new tile tub surround.
-Garage
I'm not one for leaving any stone unturned. The garage is also getting quite the makeover.
Brian has big plans for his garage gym and I have fantasies of a laundry space that make doing laundry fun!
The storage needs to be rearranged and made to be more functional.
Should be a neat project!
I should mention that we will be doing as much work as we are comfortable with. We are also going to try to obtain necessary items for free or cheap using craigslist.org and thrifting. We not only want to stay on a very tight budget, we also want to recycle. These acquisitions will likely also create more projects.
Look for most posts on what projects and changes are made!

The updates for this post will be made here.