These stained glass windows in our dining room were some that I never really loved from the start…
(Please pardon the poor photo – again – this was taken long before a blog was ever on my mind)
…not to mention that wallpaper – but that’s another post altogether. At first I tried to tell myself that the stained glass windows would “grow” on me over time. But they didn’t, and after nine months of looking at them, and especially after the busy wallpaper came down (hallelujah), I knew I had to get rid of them somehow. But not *really* get rid of them, of course. So I decided to try just covering them up using a layer of heavy white card stock and then sewing some heavier-weight flour sack dish towels into makeshift curtains. While far from “perfect” they provided just what I needed, and they provided it on a dime…
Supplies I used to cover my stained glass windows:
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- flour sack towels (2 for each window)
- Removable double sided tape
- Scissors (to remove the leftover strings from hemming)
- Straight pins
- Card stock paper
- Small tension rods (not shown)
and using Scotch removable double sided tape (Made sure it’s the removable kind!)
I simply taped them (double thickness) to the frames of the windows.
Here’s one layer on – second layer was added later.
Yes, I know…definitely NOT a designer trick, it was just an inexpensive solution to the need I had. 😉
After taping the pages to the window frames, I pinned and sewed a simple rod pocket – I didn’t even bother to roll the edge over twice since it was already hemmed. Just one roll did the trick (plus I needed the length).
then I ran tension rods through them, using two towels per window, to provide a little more fullness to the look.
The end result isn’t perfect (who knew that flour sack dish towels weren’t hemmed into *perfectly* straight squares?) ;)but it gives me the white space I wanted, covering up the four season stained glass windows – all while doing no damage to them.
As you can see, again, this isn’t a “perfect” solution because when the light hits just right, you can faintly see the hint of what’s underneath the curtains. However, this doesn’t bother me so I’m leaving it as is for now. 🙂
Mission accomplished – and now I don’t cringe when I walk into our dining room. Do you have any oddly-shaped smaller windows that just bug you? Maybe some tension rods and flour sack dish towels are just the answer….
Be sure to Pin for later!
Great idea, love that it is inexpensive and so simple, even i can do it, lol. What about covering the stain glass with white poster board, it is thick enough and bright for a clean finish 🙂
Loved your blog!
Thank you for stopping by, Maria – happy to have you here. 🙂
Like others said, these are not “real” stained glass. One of the previous owners was a crafter and painted them using “Gallery Glass”. This is not permanent and can be removed and then you will just have plain windows…Plus you’ll have your curtains that you can then open during the day to let the sunshine in. See this link for removal information. http://www.ehow.com/how_5762730_remove-gallery-glass-frost.html
Hi Rita! Thanks for the comment! I would love if my windows were gallery glass! 😀 The tutorial link you sent seems easy enough, too. Is there a way for me to tell if my windows are gallery glass? They have the raised “lead” on both sides, but maybe gallery glass has that? I would love if I could have clear glass there….
I am in love with this idea, and so impressed at both the simplicity of the solution, but also the creativity it took to develop this idea. I am the least creative or crafty person alive, but coming to this website, and subscribing to many blogs, I have been given a bit of confidence to try my hand at a few things. Now if only I had the kind of artistic mind that you do, I could get somewhere! Really well done, 1915house!
Joanne, Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me. I really and truly believe everyone is creative in their own way. 🙂 Give yourself time to learn about the things you’d like to do and start with small projects that aren’t too overwhelming. Before long, you just may find your new passion! 😀 Excited to have you with me on this journey of learning and growing. Welcome to my little community here! I hope that 1915 House will be a place where you can come and be inspired. Warmest wishes…
I run an all volunteer nonprofit that supplies furniture essentials and soft goods (bedding, towels, curtains, etc.) to women and children leaving homeless and domestic violence shelters and moving into rental apartments. We run on a shoestring budget and are always looking for inexpensive ways to provide these items and your idea is perfect. Thank you for sharing!
Beth, what a wonderful place you run to help support and provide for those who need it the most. I am impressed and thankful for people like you who have a vision to better the world. I’m so glad this post was helpful – hope you’ll visit again soon. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
I really like what you did! That was a wonderful idea to use dish towels. They gave the room a nice, comfortable, homey look. Provided privacy, too. I just read some of the unkind responses that people left on Home Talk and was shocked! Please don’t let those unthinking comments hurt your feelings. After all, they don’t live with you, and didn’t have to look at the stained glass windows. Everyone has different tastes, and we do get tired of looking at the same old thing and need a change. Change is a good thing. Otherwise, we’d still be in the Stone Age! (Smile!) Oh, I like the white walls, too. So fresh and clean. Keep sending your ideas to Home Talk. Enjoyed it, Bev
Thank you Bev, for your kind words. I get that everyone has different tastes and I’ll try to just roll with the punches. 😉 That’s what happens when you put yourself out there, right? 🙂 I’m sure I’ll submit more ideas to Hometalk. Your kindness makes it a little easier to consider submitting again. 🙂 Blessings to you…
I took out a similar window in my house and turns out it was painted on, not real stained glass. Not my taste and the window was in poor shape anyway, so we had to replace it. But you might be able to scrape those flowers off ( and keep those nice curtains!)
Thanks for the idea, Andrea! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on a person’s point of view) 😉 the windows have the raised lead on both sides, indicating that they are real and can’t be scraped off. But I didn’t know this until yesterday – lol! So I’ve learned something new. But thank you for letting me know about the possibility of scraping off fake stained glass….I had never heard of such a thing before. And thank you for the kind comment about the curtains. I’m glad you stopped by and took the time to comment. It means a lot to me to have the interaction. Hope to see you here again soon.
This turned out great Sarah! I kind of liked the stained glass. But, It would be better suited for a room that is made for flowers. The change you made looks very ‘warm’ and ‘white’ for your home.
Thank you, Caris. 🙂
I read this and looked up at my dining room window. 🙂 You have inspired me. I have a small window in my DR that “bugs” me! I might hand-paint (Or maybe batik!) myself a flour sack dishtowel and make a custom curtain!
I bet that would be so cute in your home, Molly! 🙂 I’d love to see your curtains if you decide to make them! 🙂
Looking forward to the complete tour. Nice job!
Thank you Denise – 🙂
Very clever, Sarah!!!
Thank you, Amy! Your Mom helped me come up with the idea! 😀
Beautiful!
Thank you, Ann! ?
That is so neat and looks great . I see you are crafty as your sweet mother . Can’t wait to your next project. ?
Thank you, Aunt Belinda. I think Mom would be proud. And thanks for commenting – fun to have the interaction! 🙂 Love ya!
Love the way you solved this design problem, Sarah! The crisp white textiles are a breath of fresh air, and the use of cardstock is very practical…
Thank you Heather -now I’ll need to do an updated post on the dining room – the wallpaper is gone and a lot has changed! 🙂 Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment. <3