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One Dollar No-Sew Curtains

dining room decor, DIY April 1, 2012

Sometimes you get lucky and things just come together. But first, the bad news. A Geneva, Illinois store icon recently closed its doors after 82 years of business. The Merra-Lee shops were a series of 7 women’s specialty clothing stores (all owned by the same family) that occupied a prime piece of real estate in town. Before closing, they discounted all their product and sold their store furnishings for cheap. The good news … I scored 8 yards of beautiful lace they used for display … for just one dollar! And since my dining room needed curtains, I created this:

I didn’t have to purchase a curtain rod for this project. 
I simply used an old, fallen branch from the yard.
You can tell it’s a branch when you look closely.
I draped the lace up and over the branch after hubby attached it to the wall.
This close-up shot shows the details of the lace.
It’s a creamy white, it looks whiter here than it really is.
No need to sew a hem. I cut off the extra and let them puddle on the floor.
One dollar no-sew curtains. Now to figure out what to do with the remaining lace.
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Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
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Tuesday’s Treasures at Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
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Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Filed Under: dining room decor, DIY36 Comments

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Comments

  1. Anne says

    April 1, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    How sad that they closed.I used to live in the area.I live way up north now so I don’t get around there much unless I am visiting friends.
    Love that lace fabric.And looks perfect paired with that branch.I am sure you will use the rest of the fabric creatively.
    Anne

    Reply
  2. Bridget Hedger says

    April 1, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    I love the branch! I saw that a long time ago w a thicker branch and really loved it very cute!

    Reply
  3. Country Gal says

    April 1, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    Thats a shame about this store . I feel these family and Ma & Pa stores are the heart of all America . Wonderful curtins ! Have a great day !

    Reply
  4. Lisa~A Cottage To Me says

    April 1, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    That is so sad when that stores that have been in families close after, sometimes hundred’s of years. We had that happen in the town I was raised in. Lucky you that you picked up on a great deal and a memory also for your Home!

    Reply
  5. Alabaster Rose Designs says

    April 1, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    Simply gorgeous Jennifer!!~ I have tree branches hanging my curtains too. I just love that look!! Your home is simply beautiful!
    Have a wonderful week.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

    Reply
  6. Bonnie says

    April 1, 2012 at 7:46 pm

    You are so clever. The branch idea is fabulous. Bonnie

    Reply
  7. Pamela Gordon says

    April 1, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Wow, that’s a really good deal! The fabric looks beautiful and I love the branch for a rod. Pamela

    Reply
  8. Designing Domesticity says

    April 1, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    What a lucky find. Love what you have done with them.Of course, the no-sew part could be my favorite! thanks for sharing, liz

    Reply
  9. Heather says

    April 1, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    Although it’s sad to hear another business closing, I’m glad that you were able to purchase that beautiful lace. Your curtain is just lovely. Also, somehow I missed your desk makeover. Wow, another great project by Jennifer!

    Reply
  10. Vickie @ Ranger 911 says

    April 1, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    Now that’s a super quick and easy window treatment! Perhaps you could use the rest to drape across a table or buffet.

    Reply
  11. Anne says

    April 1, 2012 at 11:40 pm

    Fabulous idea! Anything no sew is popular with me!!

    Thanks for your sweet comment on my project.

    Have a wonderful week,
    xox

    Reply
  12. Blooming Rose Musings says

    April 2, 2012 at 2:08 am

    Wow, your curtain looks fabulous. I love the branch idea.
    It’s so upsetting when a family owned store closes. It’s so hard for them to survive in this time of big stores. Too bad.
    I really like the curtain and the branch and I’m sure you will use the rest of the lace. How about a table runner?
    Hope you’re having a great weekend.

    Reply
  13. momto8 says

    April 2, 2012 at 2:52 am

    !$!!!! wow…you got a deal!!!!

    Reply
  14. sweet violets says

    April 2, 2012 at 3:24 am

    Great fabric at the right price!!! And no sew is the best!! hugs…cleo

    Reply
  15. Kelly says

    April 2, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    That was very clever of you! I like the contrast of the rustic branch and the feminine lace of the curtains. What a score!

    Reply
  16. Maria Elena says

    April 2, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    They look gorgeous! What an awesome find! Yes, it is very sad to watch all these stores close their doors.

    Reply
  17. Cynthia says

    April 2, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    What a great find the curtains look fantastic. I love the branch a very clever idea.

    Reply
  18. JoAnne Weisser says

    April 3, 2012 at 12:53 am

    Such pretty lace, Jennifer. Perfect for your dining room and I love how you used the tree branch! I bet they look great with your stenciled china cabinet too.

    Reply
  19. Rebecca says

    April 3, 2012 at 2:13 am

    What a find! It looks so pretty. Shame about the store closing.

    Reply
  20. Revi says

    April 3, 2012 at 2:21 am

    Perfection! They look just right on that pretty window, and for a buck! Impressive. 🙂
    -Revi

    Reply
  21. Melissah says

    April 3, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    What a great idea – they look fabulous!
    x
    Melissah from Country Style Chic

    Reply
  22. Mona Kay at Blissfully Refurbished says

    April 4, 2012 at 12:58 am

    Wow, gorgeous! What a great idea 🙂 thanks for stopping by my blog!

    Reply
  23. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    April 4, 2012 at 2:04 am

    It is always sad to hear of a local landmark closing…but I do love a deal. And I have been thinking about using a branch for a curtain rod, it looks perfect with your lacey curtains. Now I’m thinking about ideas for the leftovers…
    Karah

    Reply
  24. parkhouselove.com says

    April 4, 2012 at 6:54 am

    How clever to use a branch as a curtain rod!

    Reply
  25. Ivy and Elephants says

    April 4, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    I am sorry to hear that the store closed. I am loving the curtains and the use of the branch was brilliant. Thank you for this wonderful post! I would love it if you would share this at our What’s It Wednesday blog party. Hope to see you there.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says

    April 5, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Gorgeous! I love that you used a branch for the rod.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  27. Jan says

    April 5, 2012 at 1:59 am

    So sad to see an old established business go away forever. We are succumbing to the Walmarts of the world, and we are all the poorer for it. No more quality merchandise, no more premiere service, no more knowing that we were supporting a local family with our patronage. It’s very sad.

    Your curtains are gorgeous, that is absolutely beautiful lace and possibly vintage – I don’t recall seeing that pattern in today’s commercially produced lace – all from China!

    Reply
  28. [email protected] Dream Canvas says

    April 5, 2012 at 3:07 am

    Wow, utterly fabulous. This is so pretty. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.

    Reply
  29. Debra @ Common Ground says

    April 5, 2012 at 11:57 pm

    Such gorgeous lace, your curtains turned out beautifully, and so easy! thanks for linking up to the party!!

    Reply
  30. Loribeth says

    April 6, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Okay. I’m officially jealous. I want a curtain that beautiful for only a dollar!!!

    Loribeth @ small-moments-blog.blogspot.com

    Reply
  31. At The Picket Fence says

    April 6, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    Oh how beautiful! I love that you used branches from your yard instead of traditional rods. Thanks so much for sharing this at Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

    Reply
  32. Julie says

    April 8, 2012 at 4:33 am

    Hook, line, sinker…OM…extremely clever (In other words you have a follower!). Love it!!!!!! Why didn’t that come to me???? I have 5000 dead branches waiting to be put in my fireplace…Hope you will follow me back! 🙂

    ~Julie
    redheadcandecorate.com

    Reply
  33. Erin @ Chronic Christian Crafter says

    April 8, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    That’s an amazing find…and, I LOVE your curtain rod idea! As a co-host with Ginger this week @ Ginger Snap Crafts…I’m doing features of my favorite link-ups and your one of my faves! Feel free to visit…http://chronicchristiancrafter.blogspot.com

    Reply
  34. Tammy Henderson says

    April 8, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    what a great idea! I purchased some burlap recently and I now know exactly what I am going to do with it! Thanks for the inspiration…I love using natural stuff and this one is an awsome idea

    Reply
  35. Sam I Am...... says

    April 25, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    I swear you’re a genius! So sorry to hear about the Merra-Lee shops…I used to shop there in High School. But glad you got such a great bargain!

    Reply
  36. Marty Walden says

    July 24, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    Love these, Jennifer, and your burlap window treatments are brilliant!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jennifer and I'm happy to have you here! I live where the suburbs meet the country, which affords me the best of both worlds. Come along on my journey where I share decorating, cooking, gardening and more as it relates to both city and rural life.

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