How to make a cheap no sew curtain for an RV or any other space in your home.
Ok, I admit it…I’m not a person that likes to sew. Give me a saw and paintbrush and I can do almost anything. Sewing…not so much.
While working on the bathroom area in our RV, I found that I needed to cover an open cabinet next to the toilet. It’s a space that we needed access to, because we have our shower plumbing in there, and it was perfect for extra storage.
The issue is that it’s right next to the toilet so a door wouldn’t work. We needed an easy fix to cover the hole but still allow quick access.
I suggested a curtain but my doubting husband didn’t like that idea. He didn’t think that it would look right and he was worried about nastiness from the toilet. The second point was valid but…
Of course I didn’t listen to him and went ahead with my plan. I’ve never made a curtain before so this was truly a first for me and it ended up being so easy to do.
Supplies for our cheap no sew curtain
- fabric
- no sew hem tape
- tape measure
- straight pins
- iron
- yard stick
- chalk
- scissors
- tension rod
Measuring for fabric
The first thing I did was to measure the opening so that I could get my fabric. It measured roughly 36 x 30″. By my calculations I would need a piece of fabric that was 54 x 35, 1 1/2 times the width (or 54″) and the length was 30″ plus 2″ for the bottom hem and 3″ for the rod pocket.
I chose a simple gray cotton fabric, that had some weight to it, and bought 2 yards. Bonus points because it was 50% off so my total was $10 just for the fabric.
Once I had my fabric and supplies together I went to work making my curtain.
Creating a no sew curtain
Step 1. I wanted the hem on both sides of the curtain to be 1″ so I used the tape measure, yard stick and chalk to mark it. Then I made a 1” fold and pinned into place. I used a hot, dry iron to press the fabric to make a crease on each side and then removed the pins.
Step 2. With my 1″ hem ironed, I cut and placed a piece of no sew tape the length of the fabric in the crease. I folded the hem over and used a hot, dry iron to seal the hem.
I repeated this same process for the other side of the curtain.
Step 3. Next, I made the hem at the bottom of the curtain, by repeating Step 1.
I wanted neat, angled corners with this hem so, instead of taking the no sew tape to the end, I trimmed it to the edge of the side seam. I pressed the seam with my hot iron.
Before I moved on, I let the seam cool for a few minutes so that I was sure that the tape did its job.
Once it was cool, I made an angled corner and added a triangle piece of no sew tape under the fold. Then I pressed it into place with my hot iron.
Voilá…instant angled corner!
I repeated this process on the other 3 corners of the fabric.
Creating a rod pocket for my cheap no sew curtain
Step 4. The last step was to make the top rod pocket for the tension rod. First I made a 1″ hem like I did on the side (Steps 1 & 2), and pressed it.
Then I measured down 3″ and repeated the process of making a hem. Instead of putting the no sew tape in the fold, I placed the tape where the fabric meets, creating a 2″ rod pocket.
I had to iron this seam a few times to get the hem tape to stick but once it bonded, it was good.
I did a quick press of the whole curtain and then it was ready to hang up in the RV.
The whole process took me about an hour and it was an hour well-spent. I love how it turned out! No sew was definitely the way to go.
Oh, and the hubs? He liked it too.
We’ve done several DIY projects to bring this tiny RV to life. Check out the tongue and groove plank ceiling we did, as well as the countertop and kitchen faucet reveal.
Cheap No Sew Curtain for the RV
How to make a cheap no sew curtain for an RV the easy way. With just a few supplies, you can DIY this simple curtain for any space in your home.
Materials
- fabric (the amount needed depends on the size of the opening you are covering)
- iron-on hem tape
- curtain rod (I used a tension rod)
Tools
- iron
- yard stick
- scissors
- chalk
- straight pins
- tape measure
Instructions
- Measure opening to be covered with the no sew curtain
- Cut fabric to size (I did 1 1/2x the width and length plus 2" for the bottom hem and 4" for the rod pocket)
- Measure and pin 1" hem on both sides of curtain
- Use a hot, dry iron to press a crease for the hem
- Remove pins
- Cut and place iron-on hem tape the length of the crease
- Fold hem over tape, use your hot, dry iron to seal the hem
- Repeat Steps 4-7 on the other side of the curtain
- Next, make the 2" bottom hem, repeat Steps 4 & 5 (just measure 2" instead of 1")
- To create angled corners: instead of taking the no sew tape to the end, I trimmed it to the edge of the side seam
- Press the seam with a hot, dry iron
- Before moving on, let fabric cool to allow hem tape to set up
- Once it's cool, fold the fabric into an angled corner
- Place a triangular shaped piece of iron-on tape under the corner fold
- Use hot iron to press angled corner
- Repeat process for opposite corner (Steps 13-15)
- Create top rod pocket: first create a 1" hem repeating Steps 3-7
- Measure down 3", fold fabric and repeat the process for making a hem
- Place a strip of iron-on hem tape the length of the top hem but place it where the fabric meets, creating a rod pocket
- Use hot iron to activate tape
- Slip curtain rod, or tension rod, through rod pocket
- Hang your no sew curtain
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Barbara Chapman
Perfect solution, Kristi! It’s amazing what you can come up with to make an RV more home-like. 🙂 I am happy to be back in a house but we did really enjoy the 3 1/2 years we glamped here in Texas and also in California.
Enjoy your sweet RV and happy to pin your pics,
Happy summer,
Barb 🙂
Kristi
Thanks so much, Barbara! We love camping and look forward to visiting places that we’ve never been, like California. Our girls live out there so it will be a great excuse to drive across the country to see them. 🙂
deborah
It’s perfect. We had an old camper I wanted to fix up but just never had the time to do so. With all the camper projects it makes me want to get one again
Kristi
Thanks so much, Deb! We loved every minute of the build, just wish it didn’t take so long. I’d definitely do it again in a heartbeat.
Meegan
Watching your RV makeover come together is so inspiring! Everything you have done adds a lot of personality and character.
No sew curtains look perfect for this space. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
Have an awesome weekend.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Meegan! We have really loved every minute of the process of bringing our RV to life, even making the curtain. I’m a builder, not a person who sews, so I was thrilled that it all worked out.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Jane Windham
Your directions for creating a no sew curtain are superb! Before I had a sewing machine, I made some no sew curtains for our kitchen window. I used fabric glue and it has held up even though I have washed the curtains several times.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Jane. It really was an easy project to do. I haven’t used fabric glue in a while but it’s good to know that it’s held up to several washings. I’ll have to remember that for my next no sew project. 😉
laura janning
no sew tape really is quite amazing! i love how minnie is shaping up. congrats on all the hard work …your labor of love is so worth it.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Laura, I appreciate it! We are really thrilled with the way Minnie has turned out and can’t wait to take her out and start making memories.
Laura Harrie
Well done, your curtain was the answer for that space. Besides it can easily be removed and laundered if needed. Since I sew, it seemed a little labor insensitive, but I understand why you made it the way you did. Good job!
Kristi
Thanks so much, Laura. I love how it turned out. I don’t think that it was really labor intensive, it just took about an hour to make. Definitely not as quick as using a sewing machine but I don’t sew. I’m just happy that I could make this without a machine. 🙂
Kristi Dominguez
I love how fresh and finished these curtains make this space look! What a fabulous idea!! It’s so great getting to link up with you and the others on the Thrifty Style Team! xoxo
Kristi
Thanks so much, Kristi! I love linking with all of you talented ladies as well. I look forward to it every month. 🙂
Marlene Stephenson
Very good, the curtain looks nice and love the color, Minnie is looking too pretty. When people see the inside they won’t believe all you guys have done and how great she looks.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Marlene! I still have to pinch myself every time I walk in and remind myself where we started and how far we’ve come. It’s definitely my happy place, and I think Roger feels the same way. 🙂
Patti
I love this curtain. Your fabric choice is so pretty. That stitch witchery tape is a wonderful product. Good to know that it works for a shower curtain.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Patti! Stitch witchery is an awesome tool and makes this project so easy.
Mary Beth
Such a great idea and I think your curtain turned out beautifully! Happy travels, BTW! When I was growing up we RV camped all and those are some of my best memories.
Kristi
Thanks so much, Mary Beth! My husband and I both grew up camping with our families and have great memories as well. We brought up our daughters the same way. I hope that they look back fondly on those days as well. Nothing like camping, especially when you’re a kid.
Bliss
A curtain was a great idea, it’s important to be able to get at the necessities, and I don’t sew even a little, so much so I’m questioning if I could even do the no sew version!
Kristi
If I can do it, you can totally do it! I don’t sew either and this was easy, just a bit of ironing. Come to think of it, I don’t iron either. Oh well…LOL