Easy Panel Like Curtain & Hemming Tutorial

Easy Panel Like Curtain & Hemming Tutorial

A super easy way to make your own fabric curtain in a Panel like style available in IKEA

and elsewhere. 

Also, tutorial for hemming your ready made curtains for a length suitable for your space.

Hey guys.. OK so I have decided a Modern Black & White theme for my Living Room!! Yayy :D And I will be showing you all the DIY Tutorials & Tips for whatever I will craft for my theme room :)

If you don't like the available ready made curtains & if you have a specific theme in your mind for your room like me, you can buy a nice printed or solid colored curtain from IKEA  or elsewhere. I bought this black & white broad vertical striped fabric from their curtain textiles section. The link is provided below.

http://www.ikea.com/sa/en/catalog/products/90160027/

Basically a panel which is used instead of a curtain looks like this : 

And if you wish your to have this gather & pleat less straight fall look with your curtain in your space follow my tutorial :) 

Ok, so before you go buy the fabric keep the following points in your mind :

1. Measure the length from the rod till where you want it to end above the floor & consider         an inch extra. I kept it 3" above the floor.

2. Buy a thick fabric to refrain sunlight from coming in , like canvas. linen or jacquard.

3. Measure the width of the rod. Normally IKEA has an average length of 140cm for rods.           And the curtains are also 150cm  in width on an average.

4. Buy  2extra fabric then the desired curtain length for folding & hemming.

I bought 2.25 meters & it's priced at SR 35/meter so it was a good bargain (priced at US$ 7.99/yard on the US IKEA website). Because for a Panel like curtain you don't need two sets of curtains, as the look is supposed to be like a straight panel. Also this fabric is a bit thick so it falls like a straight panel without any gathers giving it a modern sheek look & also fulfills the sunlight blockage factor.

So here's how you do it!!

Materials Required : 

1. Curtain fabric

2. Medium hole needle

3. Inch tape

4. Fabric pins

5. Fabric Scissors

6. Fabric Iron

Method : 

1. Place the wrong side of the fabric straight on a clean smooth surface, on a rug or an old curtain placed on the  floor or a table..

2. Fold the fabric 8"  lengthwise from one side & insert fabric pins at equal intervals to            hold the fold. Match the side edges & iron it if needed to make a straight fold. 

3. Now fold the width edge 1" inwards & pin it up with the base. Iron if needed. 

4. Now repeat the same procedure on the other side. If you want to see how the curtain will look & decide it's exact length you can hang it from the folded end at this point of time. Just insert the rod in the folded pocket like loop you just created & hang it on :) And measure the exact length you want for the curtain & fold it slightly & place a pin or mark it with a fabric pencil or chalk or measure the remaining fabric if not too much left so as to fold it from there later.

5. Cut if any extra fabric, leaving 8 to 10" for the fold.

6. Now repeat the procedure & fold this side like the other side you did. Fold in 8- 10" & again fold in 1' inside. Hold it with pins & iron it for a sharp finished edge. You can hang it again at this point to just see if the length is perfect or not. As you can refold it if you don't like the current length.

7. Now let's start the sewing process. Basically you just need to hem it from both the sides. If you don't wish to sew it  you can also just stick it with a fabric tape & iron it on the edge you folded & secured with the pin. You can find  that tape in IKEA aswell in the custain textile section where sewing aids are kept. But I prefer to sew it :)

8. I am using a white thread in my case. You can use a thread matching your to your curtain fabric. But if you don't have a similar colored thread.. Do not worry!! As my fabric also has equal stripes of black but the white thread isn't showing on the front side as I have done a blind hem stitch :)

And you will be doing it too, so relax!!

9. Now take a good length of thread & double it & tie both the ends with a knot. Hold the fold from its right side.

Now push the needle in from the inner side of the right side edge selvage. See the purple pin!

10. Ok so every fabric is made by weaving a combination of vertical & horizontal threads called warp  & weft respectively.

Now bring the needle up to the surface & at a half inch distance identify & pick 2 vertical strand - warps  which are overlapping & not showing on the front side of the fabric.

Slide the needle carefully  & just pick these 2 strands & nothing else & make sure it is not showing on the front side & pull the thread.

11. Now insert it into the folded flap again from inside to outside just near from the 2 warps you pulled. Refer to the direction of the needle in the pic above & the following pictures which demonstrate how to do a blind stitch.

12. Now repeat this technique till you hem till the other end & secure both the ends with double knotting the inner fabric with the selvedge. 

.

13. Now repeat this technique on the other end .

14. And You are done!! :D  Now time for the test drive ;) Slide the rod in from the top loop you just created :D Btw both the loops are identical. 

Yayy!! You just made your own panel look a alike curtain. Now gaze & admire it ;)

PS: Trust me it's super easy once you get how to stitch it & totally worth it!! :)

Please give me your feedback in the comment box below. Follow me for more updates & hot +1 to recommend this DIY Craft if you like it & pint it on your To DIY List ;) Cheers!!

#curtains #sew #DIY #craft #Black #white #livingroom #Decor #home #interior #stitch #hem #IKEA #modern #tutorial #design #create #customize

Creamy Chicken Shawarma Sandwich

Creamy Chicken Shawarma Sandwich        

Now  we all have had Shawarma once a while. And if you love it like I do, please try these easy to make chicken shawarma buns  loaded with veggies & cheese. This is a creamy & mild version of the shawarmas's available around. It will be a sure shot hit with the kids & many occasions ;)                   

Ingredients :                                                                                          Serves - 4

Long sandwich buns 8" - 12

For Marination - 

Chicken breast pieces - 500gm

Cream - 1 cup

Yoghurt - 150 gms thick

Olive oil - 2 tbsp 

Salt to taste

Spices for Marination - 

Readymade - 
Maggi Chicken Shawarma Mix - 1 packet

Falafel Spices Mix - 3 tsp

(Both available in Middle east grocery stores)

or 

Homemade Mixture - 

Fresh Garlic paste - 2 tbsp

White pepper - 1/2 tsp

Dry Onion powder - 1tsp

Lemon juice/concentrate- 2 to 3 tbsp

Arabic 7 Spice (Bokharat) Mixture recipe - 

Dry roast & grind the following spices if not available in powder form - 

Black pepper - 7 to 8 or  1tsp

Coriander - 1 tsp

Cumin  - 1 tsp

Paprika - 1/2 tsp

Nutmeg(Jaiphal) - 1/2 tsp

Cardamom - 5 to 6 or 1tsp

Cinnamon -  1" round stick or 1tsp

Bay Leaf powder - 1 big leaf

For Filling- 

White Onion - 2 Medium cut in round slivers

Onion - 1 Medium chopped

Tomato - 1 Medium chopped

Capsicum - 1 Small cut in 2" strips

Lettuce - Small Bunch

Shredded Mozzarella - 200gm

or 

Cheese Slices - 8

Mayonnaise - As per taste

Accompaniments : 

Tomato Ketchup

or 

Chilly Garlic Sauce 

Mayonnaise 

Method - 

1. First cut the chicken breast pieces in long strips & clean & wash it properly. 

2. Combine the above marination ingredients mentioned above - Cream, yoghurt & olive oil & mix it     well in a bowl with the help of your hands. You can use the same non stick pan which you will use     to cook the chicken.

    I live in the Middle east, so I I get the Arabic spices here easily. So I used the Maggi Chicken             Shawarma Mix & the Falafel spices mix & adjusted the salt. 

    You can get it in an Arabic grocery store, if you don't reside here. Or else , dry roast & grind the         the 7 spice mix I mentioned above in a coffee/all purpose grinder & combine with freshly grinded       garlic paste, white pepper, onion powder & lemon juice in the quantities mentioned above. Taste         the paste & adjust salt. You can add some hot chilly sauce if you like it spicy.

    If you don't have a few spices like nutmeg or paprika with you do not hesitate to go further with         the recipe. Just try it because it will be super yummy anyways ;)

3. Please do marinate the chicken the night before you cook it as it the chicken will become very             creamy & soft when cooked. Also, the spices will be absorbed properly with by the chicken.

4. Now that the chicken is marinated overnight, cook it in the nonstick pan on a medium to low               flame. Cover it with the lid initially so it absorbs the paste. Once the chicken is nicely cooked &         leaves some creamy paste, taste test if it the chicken is soft enough. Once done, take out the                 chicken pieces. The remaining paste will be used so don't worry. I assure you the chicken will be        just veryyy soft to chew!! :)  

                                          

                                            

5. Now add some olive oil & chopped onions in the creamy paste. Cover & cook for a while. Add a         little water & salt to cook the onions fast. Now add capsicum & let it cook for 5 mins. Now add           tomatoes & saute & cover the lid for 5 mins. Now turn down the flame & get ready to assemble the     sandwich buns.

           

6.  Cut the sandwiches into halves horizontally. I used Herfy 12" long sandwich buns as I like it's            bread quality.

7. Now wash the lettuce leaves & slice the white onion as shown above for the filling & side                   accompaniments as well.

8. Now add the lettuce & chicken over it. And spread the veggie paste over it. You can combine the       chicken & veggies prior as well but it is easier to place the chicken pieces individually according to     your desired intake.

9. Now add the mayonnaise as desired & white onions. You can experiment with mushrooms, olives       & corns. I wanted it this way today :)

10. And finally the mozzarella cheese as per your taste or cheese slices cut into 3 parts would also do.

11. Now you can grill it in the sandwich maker or melt the cheese in the oven & have it. I like it               grilled & compressed :) Just pour some oil on the grill & on the top of the buns while heating.

12. And VOILA!!! Your Shawarma sandwiches are ready :)  Have it with your favorite ketchup &           some lettuce & white oinons & mayonnaise. You will just love it ;)

Note: 

1.It will be a hit with the kids & also for you & your husband's quick work tiffins ;)

2.You can make it for weekend brunches, picnics or kid's parties.

3. You can include this chicken in your veggie salads or fill them in pita breads with the same filling I     used in the sandwich buns for a regular shawarma roll.

Please give your feedback in the comment box. Follow me for more updates &  hit +1 to recommend this recipe if you like. Cheers!!

#CuriousKitchen #Arabic #cuisine #shawarma #sandwiches #buns #creamy #chicken #cheese #veggies #gourmet #continental #kids #picnic #snacks #yummy #sunday #brunch #easy #quick #meals #tiffin

About Me

 A fashion post graduate blessed with creativity,  I am a happily married women who loves to be with her loved ones, explore the world & God and Man made amazing creations & spread love & happiness. 

A true piscean by nature & a creative soul, my passions include helping everyone & making & creating stuff.  I like to see everything around my home as an empty canvas & take it as an opportunity to turn into my own unique piece of art. I get inspired from anything interesting around.. it can be a photograph, a painting or a place I visited.. anything!! Also as they say, necessity is the mother of invention :)

My influences in terms of food & culinary skills, would come mostly from North Indian cuisine & also Mughlai cuisine as my husband & now me as well come from a Muslim background. 

If you have come to this blog expecting perfection, you got off at the wrong stop :) This blog will be laden with amateur photographs and writing but I promise it will be creatively fulfilling & will offer you some nice tips & tricks ;)

So buckle up your seat belts & go for a ride in my Curious Creative Cottage & enjoy my Curious Creations  :)

Cheers!!

Customized Tissue Box

Customized Tissue Box 

Temporary Tissue boxes re purposed to make customized re usable tissue boxes 

with chocolate paper holders.

So whenever I see these brand printed tissue boxes around my house , I feel like making a permanent re usable tissue box. And I had a few ideas too. But when I had these date chocolate paper holders lying around.. I said why not use them for the surface of the box as it would give a nice texture to it. And hey I used the temporary box itself to make it! So you already have a base ;) And am loving this rich dark chocolate brown color of the box!! Ahh makes me wanna indulge in some chocolate affair :D

BEFORE

AFTER

Ok, So here's how you do it :)

Materials Required : 

1. Approx 22 Sweet/Cupcake paper holders 3" Diameter 

2.Tissue Box

3. Glue Stick

4. Cooking Oil

5. Scissor, Tape

6. Black Sharpie Marker

Design Process : 

Take an empty tissue box. Open it from one side. Refer to the picture below.

Start sticking the paper holders onto the box with a glue stick. I prefer to overlap the papers in the fish scale pattern.
Tip : If your paper holders are matte finished. Spread a drop of oil on each paper holder & they will absorb it & give an even shine in a few seconds. Get rid of any excess oil with a tissue paper or rub another paper holder against it ;)

You can cut into halves some of the paper holders to cover the base of the box if you are short of them like me.

And here is how you paste the papers on the side. Just use a double sided tape or roll a normal tape to stick the overlaping opening of the box. 

And you can insert the tissues from the opening. Yes, you might have to change the tape everytime you use it. But , hey you don't have to buy new tissue boxes every time form now on :D Just buy the tissue packs :) And save a buck you lil DIY Artist :D

So here is your own new proud creation your guests will appreciate on the diner table ;) & you won't see the Brand Logo on it any moree :D

Tips : 

You can use Ferro rocher paper holders or any pretty leftover cupcake holders. But a regular cupcake holder is 5" in diameter & it dsn't look that pretty. Smaller the better ;)

Happy Women's Day

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY! YAYY!!

She is happy go lucky. She is hopeful & fearless. She practices kindness. She prays for your wellness. The one that won't give up on you. She is full of sparkle & compassion. Her priorities revolve around her loved ones. She genuinely wants to make the world a better place. She will raise her voice for the right no matter what. But she will pick herself up every time she falls & come out stronger than ever. She will show up with a smile while dealing with a lot inside. She is talented, loyal, adventurous, versatile, supportive & surprising. She is a pro in multitasking & forgiving. She will nurture you , fight for you.She deserves nothing less from you.Know her & therefore Love her & Respect her.

Happy Women's Day, all ya Aowsum Women!!

 Sharing some quotes & thoughts in the honor of a wonderful & irreplaceable creation - Women
:)