DIY Tiered Grain Sack Window Shade Tutorial

Ready for the DIY Grain Sack window shade tutorial mentioned in our last post?  Let's get to it!

(If you are curious what my inspiration was click here)

Now here are the supplies you need to get started:

1. Grain sacks or fabric

2. Wood trim to hold the shade (I used scrap wood in our basement...free!)

3. Staple gun

4. Scissors

5. Sewing thread

6. Sewing needle

7. Seam ripper

8. Hook and eyes (this was my secret weapon from the last post!)

9. Measuring tape

It is likely you might already have most of these things in your house, so this is a cheap and easy project!  The only thing I bought were the two $6 vintage grain sacks from the antique store!

First, I measured and cut the piece of scrap wood trim to fit each window frame.

Alex did a quick cut on our saw for me.

Next, (and this is the LONGEST step if you are using real grain sacks) grab your seam ripper and open up the grain sack so it is no longer a functional sack but a flat piece of fabric. I couldn't believe how long this took, they really use industrial strength thread on those things!

Once I got done seam ripping, this is what our grain sack looked like laid out.  Aren't the stripes gorgeous!?!

I then had to do a little ironing to make sure the edges were flat and crisp.

Next, you will grab that staple gun and staple the fabric to your wood trim piece.  In this case Alex did it for me, I did one staple and got nervous I was going to mess up the fabric.

Here is what it looks like with the staples, fabric and wood.

I used a thinner piece of wood trim, so the staples did shoot through to the other side.  We used pliers and bent them down flat to the wood so they were no longer sticking out. 

Once you bend the staples down (sorry I don't have a picture of that, drat!) you will turn the wood trim downward so the fabric covers the staples... ready....

...and turn! 

Now is the fun part!  Creating the tiers!  Depending on the size of your fabric, you can do as many tiers as you want.  Our grain sack measured 36" so I only did 2 tiers.  Here is what it looked like from the back.

To be honest, I didn't use a mathematical formula for the placement of the tiers.  I just folded the fabric evenly 2 times. Sorry, I hate measuring!

To give you an idea of the size of the tiers on my 36" piece of fabric, I did 2 tiers that measured 4" when folded.  The top of the bottom tier should fold right up to the bottom fold of the top tier (see above photo on this description, I know that was confusing!).

Once you know the placement of your tiers, iron them to make crisp, clean folds.  This will also help them to lay nicely once they are hung.

Now the secret weapon!  Hook and Eyes!  This was my super simple idea for this DIY project.  I thought hmm... I already have a bunch of these in my sewing kit and they will hold nicely and be functional as well if I ever want to open the shade.  If I went out to the store to get them, I probably would have purchased larger ones just because they might be easier to use with the shade in the long run. So if you go out to get them, I would get ones that are a bit larger!

I did 3 across each tier, so if you do the same you will need 9 hook and eyes for each shade.  I did a simple tack down with my sewing needle.  Nothing too complicated so if you aren't a super savvy sewer this will still be easy.

Here is a look at one complete hook and eye on the bottom tier.

Then here are both tiers with hook and eyes sewn in place.

To illustrate the functionality here is a look when the hook and eye is unclasped.

The last step is adding these L brackets to the back of the wood trim piece and hanging to your window frame. 

 Yes!  We are done!  Again, here is a look at the completed product!  So simple and gorgeous!

This was how the Guest Room looked before when I was trying to figure out what window treatments to add.  Pretty, but plain-jane.

Here is how it looks now with the Vintage Grain Sack Window Shades!  It added sooooo much personality!  I can't believe how great they turned out!

Our Guest Room definitely got a nice upgrade with these little $6 vintage grain sacks!  I can't wait for the next time we have company staying over, this room is just too sweet!  I can't wait to redo our Master Bedroom, I'm totally ready for that challenge!

*** We just added this to the Lettered Cottage's How-To's Day , the DIY Showoff Project Parade and Coastal Charm!  Link Up!***