How to make curtains from a duvet cover

WOW! It's been a while since I've posted! Sorry about that folks, I've been busy! However, I've finally finished my bedroom curtains, so that's what I'm going to share with you today.

Since I had decided on my bedroom color, wayyyy before I even actually painted my walls, I started hunting for curtains. Originally I was going to sew them myself(there are a TON of great tutorials out there for curtains), but  all the fabric I liked was super expensive, and I still didn't LOVE any of them. I knew I wanted something with gray and yellow in it, but not too much gray, because the walls and rugs are already gray. I'd been thinking I wanted to tie in another accent color, like aqua, and then I saw this on target.com:

I knew I was set on having an all white comforter for the bed, but I LOVED the colors and patterns in this. I've seen people on pinterest using sheets for curtains(but then I'd still have to put a liner in), and a quick google search found that a duvet cover would work as well!

I sat on the idea for a few days, until I checked back and saw that it was on clearance for $23. SOLD!

I must say, however, that I am glad I was not purchasing this to use as a duvet cover. When it came in the mail, it was very poorly sewn, some areas weren't even sewn together at all! Very disappointing. However, since they were then sold out of the twin/queen size online and I was planning on cutting it up and sewing it anyway, I just re-sewed what needed fixing myself.

Shame on you, Target!

After fixing the frayed parts and holes, I washed and dried it, then carefully ironed it. I say carefully, because the material isn't 100% cotton, I think it has some polyester in it, which makes it very silky and soft, but burns/melts easy under the iron. The silkiness of the fabric also made it very tricky while sewing, at least for a novice like me!

Then I carefully layed it out on my bed, folded it in half, and cut straight down the fold. Be careful that you are cutting through all layers of fabric(but NOT through your sheets!). You could do this on the clean floor, but I have a curious puppy and the bed was a safer bet.

I also purchase a new, simple black curtain rod from walmart. I got the curtain rings from Hobby Lobby using a 40% off coupon.

Now just enlist your hubby to help you drill the holes and hang them, then stand back and admire!

As you can see, I still need to iron them out again, especially the bottoms.

I'm loving the colors!

Sorry if the photos are a bit washed out. It's difficult to photograph a window!