DIY Curtains: How To Convert Old Sarees Into Beautiful Curtains For Boho-Chic Decor

DIY Curtains With Old Sarees:  One of the best ways to DIY curtains is through reusing those old yet cherished sarees of your dadi, nanis and mothers. These 6 yards of drapes are not just any piece of clothing; they are a heritage of Indian traditional craftsmanship. From Kanjivaram to Banarasi and Bandhani, each traditional saree holds an essence of culture that never gets out of fashion.

Therefore, to promote sustainability and to not let your handloom heritage go to waste, here is a way to reuse your old sarees and transform them into modern curtains to add a boho-chic twist to your contemporary homes. Transforming old sarees into DIY curtains is not just a way to keep the desi charm alive in your modern homes; these curtains also bring texture, colour, and boho-chic vibes at budget-friendly prices.

How To Convert Old Sarees Into Beautiful Curtains: Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Take correct measurements of your windows. You can also hang your old sarees on the curtain rod to figure out the length of your window.

Note: People either prefer floor-to-floor or just above the window sill, in length.

After figuring out your preferred length, add 4 to 6 inches for hemming. For width, measure 1.5 to 2 times your window size.

Step 2: Wash your old saree, using cold water. Coordinate the shades, dark hues look chic with light hues, so for one big window, take one dark hue saree (red, maroon) with a light-hue saree (like beige, creme shade, grey). After washing and drying the saree, iron it.

Note: Always iron a saree on a low temperature.

Step 3: Cut and trim sarees into the desired length by drawing dimensions using chalk, and cut along borders. The borders of sarees are usually even, but if there are any uneven cuts, trim those. Save pallus (broad hem) for valances.

Picture of Valances (Image Credit: Canva)

Step 4: Fold the edges of your sarees. Turn the hemmed edges of sarees inside-out at a 1-inch distance, iron, and stitch seams using straight stitches.

Note: If you want to skip the stitching part, you can also use ironing tapes and fabric glue. Double-hem the bottom parts. However, the durability of this method is very low compared to machine stitching.

Step 5: Now, you need to sew rod pockets or loops. For rod pockets, turn the top edges of sarees inside-out at 4 inches distance and sew them.

Picture of Rod Pockets (Image Credit: Canva)

Step 6: To give that Boho-chic look to your curtains, you can also add embellishments for that bohemian effect. Opt for wooden beads, add tassels from old blouses, mirrors, and you can also attach jhumkas and pom-poms to the bottom hems.

Note: Trends say not to overdo the decoration, to keep all eyes and attention on your ethnic drapes turned curtains DIY.

Step 7: The last step is to carefully install and arrange the curtains. Attach bracket rods, hang sarees, fluff and your new DIY home decor is ready to grab attention.

Lastly, always take extra care of your DIY stuff for durability. Clean stains with mild detergent; remove wrinkles through steam ironing to keep your saree curtains new for the longest time.

Quick Checklist Of Things To DIY Curtains From Old Sarees:

Best Boho-Chic Styling Ideas With Saree Curtains

- Keep the art of colour contrasting alive and clear by mixing and matching pastel colours with rich shades, like pink and mustard. Keep one curtain dark so the next will be light and so on.

- Use these DIY saree curtains for home temples, balconies, and even for your canopy beds.

- Add matching interior, where you have placed the curtains, so they don’t look odd one out and blend subtly with home decor and also stand out for the creativity.

ALSO READ: 6 Summer Plant Decor Ideas With Sheer Curtains And Light

Tips To Make Saree Curtains Look Expensive

- Don’t go overboard with embellishments; simple DIY saree curtains also look good in a world where the fashion industry is rapidly moving towards a less-is-more ideology.

- Opt for heavy fabrics like Silk, Brocade, and Velvet. But if you want to keep the look breezy, cotton, georgette, chiffon, and silk also work fine.

ALSO READ: 9 Genius Kitchen Decor Hacks Designers Actually Use

Lastly, know that this DIY project of turning old sarees into boho curtains is a time-consuming task, and you might need 2 to 4 hours. Additionally, this way turns your neglected textiles into social media-ready decoration pieces. This activity is budget-friendly, culturally enriched, and highly personalised.