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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Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
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
I love the branch! I saw that a long time ago w a thicker branch and really loved it very cute!
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 !
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!
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
You are so clever. The branch idea is fabulous. Bonnie
Wow, that’s a really good deal! The fabric looks beautiful and I love the branch for a rod. Pamela
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
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!
Now that’s a super quick and easy window treatment! Perhaps you could use the rest to drape across a table or buffet.
Fabulous idea! Anything no sew is popular with me!!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my project.
Have a wonderful week,
xox
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.
!$!!!! wow…you got a deal!!!!
Great fabric at the right price!!! And no sew is the best!! hugs…cleo
That was very clever of you! I like the contrast of the rustic branch and the feminine lace of the curtains. What a score!
They look gorgeous! What an awesome find! Yes, it is very sad to watch all these stores close their doors.
What a great find the curtains look fantastic. I love the branch a very clever idea.
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.
What a find! It looks so pretty. Shame about the store closing.
Perfection! They look just right on that pretty window, and for a buck! Impressive. 🙂
-Revi
What a great idea – they look fabulous!
x
Melissah from Country Style Chic
Wow, gorgeous! What a great idea 🙂 thanks for stopping by my blog!
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
How clever to use a branch as a curtain rod!
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
Gorgeous! I love that you used a branch for the rod.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
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!
Wow, utterly fabulous. This is so pretty. I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.
Such gorgeous lace, your curtains turned out beautifully, and so easy! thanks for linking up to the party!!
Okay. I’m officially jealous. I want a curtain that beautiful for only a dollar!!!
Loribeth @ small-moments-blog.blogspot.com
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
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
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
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
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!
Love these, Jennifer, and your burlap window treatments are brilliant!