Dear Sis,

Daddy moved William’s toddler bed out of our room and into his room. We explained that baby sister will cry and wake him up, so it is best for him to sleep in his own room. He nodded and said, “Baby sister fuss like Baby Em at night night.” Your visit left an impression in more ways than one:)

His first night went well, but the following day during nap time, he said, “Mama turn the lights out.” I replied, “Sorry sweetie, I can’t turn off the sun.” We hung a blanket over the window as a quick fix, but I realized it was time to make some blackout curtains for William’s room!

Not sure exactly how to go about making curtains, I did some research online. I used this measurement guide to help me decide how large I wanted my finished panels to be.

Confetti Style: Your Guide for Stylish Living

Then, I stumbled upon this wonderful tutorial: How to Make Blackout Curtains

I went to the fabric store planning to buy 6 yards 54 inch wide home decor fabric and blackout lining. JoAnn Fabrics carries a suitable lining for $8.00 a yard. As a bonus it was, 30% off. However, I was unable to find a suitable home decor fabric in that width, so I decided to look in the 45 inch width section. This width change meant I needed 9 yards and I’d have to piece my curtain panels. Sadly, all the fabrics I liked were on an 8 yard bolt! Feeling a bit defeated I wondered the clearance section. Just as I was about to wrap things up and many try Hobby Lobby instead, I found the perfect 45 inch wide fabric on a 10 yard bolt on clearance for $3.00 a yard! My 20% off entire purchase including sale and clearance items kept me on budget at $54.00.

Assembly took the better part of a day… wrestling huge heavy rectangles slows the simplicity of a bunch of straight seams. I hastened the process of creating rod loops, by using Dritz Rod Loop Tape along the top edge. I happened to have a pack in my notions box I picked out of a clearance bin some years ago:)

We are using the curtains on the rod left by the last family, so our curtains look much to long and full at present, but Papa Carmin will hang the new rod for us when he comes with you to help with baby sister’s arrival.

The curtains work so well, the picture is quite dark:)

Love,

b