'Cozy Cottage Comfort'

Cottage charm with ruffle trim curtains

Work that cottage charm by personalizing your curtain panels. In a couple of hours, add a flirty ruffle trim to a set of solid ready-made curtains in your home by following these easy steps:

What You Need:

• A set of solid blackout curtains

• Garden Gate curtain rods

• 3 yards of fabric to create the ruffle

• Needle and thread (preferably in a color that matches the curtain)

• Trim

• Fabric glue

• Iron

• Ruler or measuring tape
  

How to start:

1. Take the fabric and fold the six-inch wide fabric in half. If the fabric needs to be cut into a six-inch strip, then cut it and then fold. Make sure you fold with the right side showing.

2. Use an iron to press the fabric flat.

3. Pinch the fabric after every inch or so. Then stitch the fabric at the fold to the underside edge of the panel.

4. Continue pinching and sewing until you have covered the entire length of the curtain.

5. When you reach the end, fold ends of the fabric under and use a running stitch to sew them closed.

6. To finish the ruffle, use fabric glue to adhere a trim on top of the vertical edge. This will seal up the raw fabric and complete your country curtain look.

*Extra Tips for cozy cottage style:

Using empty jars and antique perfume bottles to hold fresh cut flowers.

Rough up your furniture with sandpaper for worn cottage effect.

Add a lattice panel to your walls for a garden-inspired effect indoors.

Wicker baskets are not only great for storage but give a room some casual style.

Look for accents with ribbon, ruffles, skirts and any other embellishment that will sweeten your home.

Replace contemporary furniture with glass or crystal knobs found at a flea market or garage sale for a touch of vintage.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of bhg.com