Making my own bedding, curtains etc

Twilightgirl

I would very much like to make my own stuff, as I am currently having to start over again and move into a new house, I have nothing as I had to leave it all behind due to personal reasons. As a mother of 3, money is tight and rather than spend a fortune on bedding etc I can use the money to buy other things I would need.

Where do I start? Should I go on course or can I learn off the net. Or am I being silly and shouldn't start it.

If anyone else any more tips on how to decorate and get stuff for my house I would be grateful.

Thanks x

olly300

Where I live there is an Transition Towns group that do make do and mend classes for free every Wednesday. Something like that would be idea to teach you how to make curtains. I would do an internet search and ask people for voluntary sewing groups in your area.

Though if you know how to use a sewing machine and have one you probably could get a book out of your local library which shows you how to make curtains.

In regards to bedding it would probably be cheaper to buy it then make it due to the price of fabric. I would look in Ikea, your local large supermarket or BHS. They all tend to have one or two ranges discounted randomly that are off reasonable quality. If you aren't very fussy about the colours you will be able to find something.

SUESMITH_2

i was going to say the same, the cost of fabric makes it cheaper to buy. sainsburys had some lovely ones reduced last week - all sizes form single to kingsized

milliebear00001

I have made bedding and curtains for myself as I learned to use a sewing machine at school, but nowadays you will find it difficult to make them cheaper than you can buy them! It's unlikely to be worth your time to be honest.

I would try Primark, Matalan, Argos, George, Tesco, Sainsburys etc, all of whom sell great bed linen (and often curtains and other matching stuff) very cheaply.

invisiblecabbage

If you find a nice duvet set cheap, then buy 2 and turm second one into curtains, just need to add a blackout lining. My sister always does this and her rooms look lovely.

Twilightgirl

Oh thanks guy, yeh my has a sewing machine and used it for little things. I didn't know that fabric was so expensive thought I would have been cheaper making my own stuff lol off to primark I go lol

olly300

Twilightgirl wrote: »

Oh thanks guy, yeh my has a sewing machine and used it for little things. I didn't know that fabric was so expensive thought I would have been cheaper making my own stuff lol off to primark I go lol

I've found the larger supermarkets have better quality bedding than Primark and Matalan particularly for softness and wear.

babyblooz

I second the comment about recycling the duvet covers into curtains. They usually sell the covers cheaper than the matching curtains and if you have a blind up at the window, you can get away without lining the curtains, or worrying about if they actually draw across the window. And if you want to be truly thrifty (and I have done this) then unpick the curtain tapes from the top of an older pair of curtains that fit and reuse them. Once you get the stitching undone to begin with, they usually just come away with a gentle tug. I have done this when I have been stuck at home and not able to get into town to buy tape. It works quite well actually.

Any leftover bits of fabric can be cut into heart shapes, or any shape really, and appliqued onto a plain cushion cover to make it more matchy matchy if thats your thing. I made a drawstring bag from some of my leftover fabric. It is handy to hang from the end of the bed as a washing bag or to keep scarves or socks in etc. You get the idea anyway!

babyblooz

Oh and another thought to use up scraps is bunting. It's lovely for a littlies bedroom and can be mixed with plain colours to make it go further. You can even add their name in felt letters or use bondaweb to make the letters in fabric.

olias

Keep an eye on these forums!

The last bedding I bought were 4 double duvet sets for 5p (yes you read that right - five pence!) each with free p&p. This was from a grabbit posted on these forums.

Alright, that was exceptional, however, I regularly see them in places like Asda and Tesco etc for about £2-3.99 - That's about the price of a sandwich and drink!

Olias

myway_2

If you need to decorate, Ask friend's and family for any left over paint they don't want anymore, Buy a large tin of white to mix in with it, Ok it make's the colour lighter but it'll save you a fortune for now. I did my house that way year's ago.:D.

Ps make shaw you make enough colour in one go or your never get the same match again;)