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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Tuesday Tip

Fabric alternative.  Can't find the perfect fabric at a price you can live with?  Or maybe you simply don't have time to search for it.  The solution: head to the bath section of your favorite retailer and pick out a shower curtain.  Seriously.  I have found some fantastic 100% cotton shower curtains everywhere from Target, to Restoration Hardware, to Macy's.  Over the years, I have scouted them out and treat them like any fabric remnant that can do a small job.  I have recovered the seat of a vanity stool and a child's small chair.  I have used them to make tablecloths, sink skirts, pillows, cafe curtains, etc...


Last year, a client embarked on a project that involved moving her main floor laundry room to a more convenient location upstairs.  The existing space was then then turned into a mud room where her husband and two teenage boys, all ice hockey players, could be free to move about with all of their hockey gear.  She already owned the the black cabinet and storage bench and did not want to allocate any significant portion of her renovation budget to this room, but still wanted to give it an update.  The new additions included a Pottery Barn sisal rug and a skirt for the unattractive utility sink. I had the skirt made from a Target shower curtain.  I had my workroom add a simple pleat to the front and then double sided velcro so it could be attached to the mud sink and removed easily to wash.  The large pillows on the bench belonged to the client and serve to cover up the plate where the washer/dryer connections once were. I had the small pillow made with the leftover curtain pieces. 


This pillow assortment below occupies a basement media room...mine!  Can you guess which one is made from a shower curtain?  It's the large pillow with the fantastic, trendy paisley!!!   I purchased it  in December on sale for $15.99 due a damaged package.  The other two fabrics are from Calico Corner.  I wanted lots of pillows in different sizes and could not find another that fit my criteria of low cost and easy cleaning.  This space is used primarily by my teenage son and daughter and their friends.  The goal was to give it a modern, cool, lounge-like feel for guys and gals! 


20/10 rule: Next time you are shopping in your favorite stores, spend 10 minutes browsing the bath section for a shower curtain for less than $20 in a fun fabric!

19 comments:

  1. Cool idea! Love the print and colours of the fabrics in the last photo.

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  2. You made me think. There were $50.00 table clothes at our Dillards clearance the other day for about $4.00. A 8-10 seat rectangle table clothe would go along way for fabric. I am going back.

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  3. Lori,
    I am glad you are going back! Many items such as tablecloths and shower curtains can stand up to a lot of use and many cycles in the wash which make them worthy contenders for so many applications!

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  4. Pretty solutions for that room! Great way to work your client's budget. Love that red and cream stripe.
    I always think of shower curtains and tablecloths and inexpensive curtain panels in terms of yardage. Comes from being broke in my younger years but still wanting to get "the look" I was going for. I have a pair of discontinued panels right now waiting to be stitched up into bed pillow shams. And another pair that might become a bedskirt.

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  5. What a great tip! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and taking time to comment. It's lovely to meet you.

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  6. What a great idea. I am always on the lookout for fabric at a great price. A lot of fabric in a shower curtain, so this would be great. Thanks for the tip. Hugs, Marty

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  7. I hear you!!
    I always check out PB and WSH for drapery panels on sale to use for pillows, cushions, even some upholstery projects... but I have not considered the shower curtain!! Thanks so much for broadening my horizons.
    And thanks for stopping by my blog. It's always lovely to see you!!

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  8. Great idea -- you're so clever! There are so many great shower curtains out there that would make amazing pillows, seat cushions, etc. I've been eyeing this shower curtain from BlissLiving Home for ages now but don't really NEED another shower curtain; now I need to think if there's a way to turn it into something else!

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  9. It's official. Addicted to your tips. Love the idea of using table cloths, too. And vice versa. Some tablecloths are so boring but if you can find some cool shower curtain fabrics, why not use them on the kitchen table, right?! Love it....

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  10. you are amazing!!! would have never thought of that, thank you.........can't wait to go shopping :-)
    debra

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  11. Hmmm..you've got me thinking! In a different way-great!

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  12. I just did a post on skirting tables and sinks, love the one you have posted here. Such a great idea to think outside the box and look at other possiblilites in fabric choices. great Post, Kathysue

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  13. What a fabulous idea. The difference between and amateur and a pro, however, is knowing when to employ this trick, and when NOT to...

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  14. Great ideas and it is fun to check out unusual places for interesting fabrics. Target is one of my faves! You did a nice job!

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  15. Thinking outside the box, I love it!! Looks great, love the paisley!
    Karena

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  16. Thanks for all the great comments and sharing other creative fabric ideas.

    DC by Design...you are so right!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment!