I probably took three trips to the local super store staring at the wall of shower curtain options. I hated all of them! The fabrics looked cheap, the patterns overwhelming and nothing seemed high quality. Then that little bug in my ear whispered “you could make one yourself”. If you’ve clicked this post you are probably have the same bug!
I will show you step by step how I made and easy DIY shower curtain. Shower curtains are usually one large rectangle of 72″X 72″. All straight lines and simple hems with dozens of possibilities for customization. I’ll share with you exactly how I made my linen shower curtain.
The Fabric
The fabric choice is the largest area of customization of this project. Maybe you want a custom shower curtain to match a funky wallpaper, unique piece of art, or because you love creating a handmade home. I fell in love with the idea of having a linen shower curtain. There were no options in my local shops, and the ones I found online looked too BOHO for my style.
I knew I wanted a neutral patterned linen curtain to offset some colorful art we have. I was so pleased to find a lovely linen/ cotton blend at Hobby Lobby in a nice warm neutral stripe on sale. I can’t remember the exact price now, but I spent around $20 for 4.5 yards
The width of a shower curtain is wider than the standard of most bolt fabrics available in stores. You do have the option to purchase extra wide fabric. However, I simply bought two cuts of 2 1/4 yard fabric (4.5 yards total) and attached them at the selvage edges.
The Body
After pre-washing and ironing I joined the two pieces at the selvage edge using a french seam. I think a flat felled seam would have looked nicer on the backside of the curtain, but the french seam gave a clean finished look. Rather than measuring the width, I laid the plastic shower liner over top and used the lines as a guide for my side hems, which ended up being around an 3/4 rolled hem. I trimmed the excess fabric, roughly 13 inches wide.
I found that 2 1/4 yard was just enough length that I didn’t need to trim any excess for hemming to 72 inches. I used the shower liner as a guide and ironed the top hem 1/4 inch and then 1 1/2 inch (the same band width as the liner). This gave me enough fabric to do a 3/4 rolled hem at the bottom.
The Grommets
I was grateful I already had grommets and a grommet press in my crafting collection. However, grommets and tools are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. I purchased mine from amazon.
I wanted to make sure that the holes would align with the shower liner, so again I placed it on top as a guide. I took a water soluble maker and made a dot in the center of each hole. Then I loaded the grommets onto the press lined it up with the dots. I learned that it was easier to mark the right side of the fabric, which I did for half of the grommets. Total it had 12 grommets.
The End Product
Overall, I think the shower curtain looks really lovely. It worked up quite simply and it makes me wish I had two bathrooms so that I could play around with customizing even more! I find so much satisfaction in adding to my hand-made home and hope you will too.
Customization Ideas
- Unique Hems
- Add fringe or lace trim: You could even try layering different trims at the bottom, the possibilities are endless
- Scalloped bottom hem: I think this idea would be darling for a kids bathroom or maybe even a sea or mermaid themed room. Scalloped hems are also in style, I see a lop of pillow cases and bedding right now with scalloped hems.
- Add a ruffle: Ruffle hems seem to be all the rage in clothing and shower curtains. It gives a lovely feminine touch.
- Unique Fabrics
- Patchwork: I have been working on my first quilt and have patchwork on the brain. But I love the idea of a large patchwork shower curtain! You could avoid the long seam in the middle and have the ability to incorporate a couple different fabrics.
- Thrifted fabric: If you had enough yardage, thrifted fabrics are often so much more unique that what is available in stores. Its environmentally friendly and fun!
- No Grommets, No problem!
- Tie Top: We had just finished moving when I made this shower curtain, and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to find my grommet press. I fell in love with the tie top option so much, I was almost sad when I found the tools.
- Loops: Another great alternative to grommets would be curtain loops. A classic look for curtains that we don’t ever see for a shower curtain. You might have to reconfigure how you hang the shower liner, but it would be oh so cute!
If you make a custom shower curtain I would love to hear about it! Or feel free to share any customization ideas you have too, the possibilities are endless!
Happy sewing,
Andrea