Making Curtains From Vintage Petticoats

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 Hello again!  I'm back with another inexpensive curtain idea that involves using some of the vintage linens/clothing that's been sitting in a drawer for far too long. You see, I'm on a mission to use the things I've had languishing in drawers and closets and this little DIY gave me the perfect opportunity.  

Welcome to the 'Do It Over' Designers blog hop. We are a group of bloggers who love to recycle/upcycle/DIY. I'm happy to host this hop and I hope you'll visit everyone to see what they have to share with you.  Please visit to see everyone's creativity. The links will be listed at the end of this post.

This post may contain affiliate links.

It all began with these two petticoats.
 They were long and had beautiful eyelet trim.
Just what was needed for a curtain to add privacy to a door window.  

Door window, you say?
That's right.  We have a door in our laundry/storage room that has a window.  It's currently covered with an old vinyl stained glass film that is pretty awful.
I laughed when I saw this photo! I realized it looked so much better than it does in person.  You'll have to trust me on the 'awful' factor.

Before we could get to work removing the film from the window, I needed to have a curtain ready to put up for privacy.  

So I pulled those petticoats out of the drawer, removed the elastic (with my seam ripper) and then cut one of the side-seams.
I made a small hem on each of the side seams...
...and stitched.
Next came the rod pocket.

Since this is a metal door, I needed a magnetic curtain rod.  

Curtain on.  Rod up.  
Aaaaaand it was too short!
If only it could be that easy! 
Seriously, I knew it would be too short since I measured before getting started.  
The next question was how to use the other petticoat to make up the difference.

After some careful thought, I cut down the other petticoat with a few extra inches above the ruffle and made a rod pocket. 
In no time flat, had a valance.
Note:  I needed a second magnetic curtain rod. 

That's right, the extra ruffle gave me the perfect length for covering the entire window. 

The result is 2 petticoats put to good use and a dreamy, ruffled, cottagy curtain that serves a very important purpose. 

The only thing left to do is get that film off the window.  
That's a project for another day!

Curtains have been a 'thing' around here, along with using items that have been sitting around for far too long.  Stop by to see how I made this valance with some extra fabric that also was sitting in a drawer.  
Oh, and there's copper too!

On to the blog hop! The rest of the team has some wonderful ideas to share with you.

 Here are all the links - Enjoy! 

Comments

  1. SaraMarch 28, 2026 at 8:48 AM

    You new door window treatment is so pretty Ann; what a huge improvement over the film! I'll bet it really brightens the room too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:34 AM

      Thank you, Sara.  I've said that film 'has to go' since we moved in and now the time has come.  It's been a busy weekend, but this week will be the moment of truth!  Stay tuned...

      Delete
  2. Kim March 28, 2026 at 8:49 AM

    Beautiful, Ann and super creative! Those petticoats look fabulous on your door window. Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:38 AM

      Thanks, Kim, and now I have two less things in that drawer.  I've made it a goal to use up as much as I can.  We'll see how I do!

      Delete
  3. Sum of their StoriesMarch 28, 2026 at 9:25 AM

    Such a pretty window covering, I imagine that it'll be quite a talking point with guest - "can you guess what these curtained used to be?!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:41 AM

      Oh my goodness, Yes!  I just couldn't resist the ruffles, Julie.

      Delete
  4. Patti @ Pandoras BoxMarch 28, 2026 at 9:57 AM

    Great save on lengthening the curtain!....I love making window treatments as its such an easy way to change the look of a room - well done

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:43 AM

      Thanks, Patti.  The detail on these petticoats was just too pretty to be hiding in a drawer.  Now I need to get to the rest of the goodies I have!

      Delete
  5. Tania PelletierMarch 28, 2026 at 10:10 AM

    Your new curtains are so pretty Ann!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gail @Purple Hues and MeMarch 28, 2026 at 10:37 AM

    What a clever and stylish way to upcycle a pair of petticoats, Ann! They really give your window a stylish and charming look!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:46 AM

      Thank you, Gail.  I thought it was a shame to hide all that 'prettiness' in a drawer.

      Delete
  7. CatMarch 28, 2026 at 10:45 AM

    Very clever and such a good use for the petticoats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:48 AM

      Thank you, Cat. I really felt they were meant to be seen!  

      Delete
  8. Vintage Style GalMarch 28, 2026 at 12:26 PM

    This is a perfect curtain Ann! I keep telling myself I need to learn to sew, and of course, I keep putting it off. When I see what you gals come up with, it makes me really want to push myself to learn. I laughed when I saw your door glass. I have had that film for several years, and no sense buying new when you can just use what you have. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:52 AM

      Thanks, Cara.  Sewing is easier than you think!  The door film - I know, right?  The stuff on our door is so old and faded (not to mention dirty), it just has to go.  Buy new?  Not when I have perfectly good materials around here that can be put to good use!

      Delete
  9. Unique creations by AnitaMarch 28, 2026 at 10:25 PM

    Great repurpose Ann, great reuse of an old petticoat.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SusanMarch 29, 2026 at 8:42 AM

    This is adorable! Such a clever idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnMarch 29, 2026 at 8:57 AM

      Thank you, Susan.  Sometimes we just have to look at things in a little different way!

      Delete
  11. Lydia C. LeeMarch 31, 2026 at 4:45 PM

    Wow. What a great idea! #HappyNow

    ReplyDelete
  12. Donna @ Modern on MonticelloApril 1, 2026 at 12:20 PM

    Love it! It is so charming as a curtain. And a great conversation piece now too!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Joanne April 1, 2026 at 1:16 PM

    That is a very pretty transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  14. GinaApril 3, 2026 at 8:07 AM

    So nostalgic and pretty! I Love sewing projects like this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 3, 2026 at 10:24 PM

      Thank you, Gina.  I thought they were too pretty to be hiding in a drawer!

      Delete
  15. LorriApril 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM

    Your Petticoat Curtains are lovely. I know what you mean about getting one project done so you have more space in a drawer... lol. It makes you feel so good getting projects scratched off the mental list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 3, 2026 at 10:25 PM

      Absolutely, Lorri!  I have so many projects in mind with all the goodies I have stashed away.

      Delete
  16. Kim CarberryApril 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM

    What a creative idea for a window covering. They are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 3, 2026 at 10:29 PM

      Thank you, Kim.  They really do 'lighten up' the room and I can't wait to get that film off the window!

      Delete
  17. Marlene StephensonApril 3, 2026 at 2:18 PM

    I just found you and love the creativity of these beautiful curtains. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 3, 2026 at 10:31 PM

      I'm so glad to hear that you found me and love my new curtains, Marlene!  Do come back to see more of what I'm up to, won't you?

      Delete
  18. ChezViesApril 4, 2026 at 8:04 AM

    That's a great idea and It turned out so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jennifer WiseApril 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM

    Oh my goodness, the petticoats re-made were just the thing. Brilliant. They turned out so beautifully. Thanks for sharing this with us at Will Blog for Comments #81. It's open an extra week, so if you have not yet shared 3 posts, you're welcome to share more, either old or new. Wishing you a lovely week to come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 6, 2026 at 7:46 PM

      Thank you so much, Jennifer.  I'm pretty pleased with how they work as curtains!

      Delete
  20. Jennifer AdamsApril 7, 2026 at 1:30 PM

    How pretty! Featuring you at Wednesdays in the Studio!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Cindy@CountyRoad407April 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM

    This took me back to the days of watching Petticoat Junction. I loved it and adore this curtain! I'll be searching for petticoats this year. Thank you for linking up on Farmhouse Friday. I'm featuring it tomorrow. Hope you link up again soon. pinned

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnApril 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM

      I remember that show, Cindy!  I can still hear the theme song in my head....Thank you so much for the feature.

      Delete
  22. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art BoutiqueApril 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM

    What a beautiful petticoat upcycle, Ann!! Thank you for sharing your curtains made from petticoats DIY at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at today's party and pinning too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Parsimonious Décor DarlingApril 10, 2026 at 2:37 PM

    Those came out so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jennifer WiseApril 15, 2026 at 12:27 PM

    Stopping in again with a quick congratulations! This post is the Host's Choice from Will Blog for Comments linkup 81. It will be in the spotlight for the next 2 weeks, starting today, and you can save the "This Post Was Featured" image there to share with your readers here if you like. I'm Pinning this post for extra visibility as well. Thank you so much for being a great part of our linkup! :) See you next week at #82.

    ReplyDelete
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