Due to writer’s block, let’s take a short break from everything Derby, and revisit a previous topic – reusing our used shower curtains. In a previous post, we discussed how to bring new life to our old vinyl shower curtains, and today a few tips on how to reuse your used fabric shower curtain. This is an appropriate topic as Earth Day just passed and we were encouraged to remember being friendly to our Earth and environment. Therefore, below you will find several ways to reuse your fabric curtain, most of which only require minimal skills in creative or artistic ability, like sewing.
- With sturdier curtains, use the fabric material to reupholster a well-loved chair.
- Create new, bold accent pillows for the couch or bed. Sew on some buttons or cute trim, and no one will even know it was once a shower curtain.
- Create new window curtains. If there are windows in your bathroom, you could even keep your old curtain remnants in there with the new shower curtain.
- A sturdier curtain can make a great picnic blanket on sunny afternoons.
- Create a table cloth or runner.
- If you are more talented in the sewing arena, try to make a great skirt or dress with a bold and modern printed curtain.
- Cut up the curtain into quilting squares and get your sewing on.
- The way I have most commonly reused my old fabric shower curtains is by relocating it in my house as a wall tapestry. Hookless shower curtains are especially nice for this, as their large grommets add an extra appeal and make hanging easy. My best experience with this was a bold white shower curtain with orange polka-dolts. My husband and I actually bought it purposefully for a wall-hanging, and it did a great job hiding part of the wall that had been damaged and we didn’t have time to repair promptly.
- Another wall art option is to cut out several pieces of the fabric and fame it in fancy frames. Hang several frames together as a series. Below is a picture where one person used fabric and cross-stitching hoops to accomplish the same idea. You could also simply stretch the fabric around a canvas or something else that can keep your fabric taut and forget the faming altogether.
Below are several pics of either great fabrics to use for wall art or more examples of what reusing your fabric shower curtain could look like.
If it is likely you will reuse your fabric shower curtain in one of the above ways mentioned, try to purchase your curtain with that in mind. Ask yourself these helpful questions: Will I continue to like this pattern or print across time? Can this pattern or print fit somewhere else in my home décor (as in another room)? Is this fabric sturdy enough for me to create something new from it? (Sheer fabric curtains, do not do well with cutting and sewing projects.) I hope these ideas and tips have been helpful and inspiring. If these don’t sound appealing to you, get your own creative juices going and happy curtain crafting!
-ang