From valances to Roman shades, the sky is the limit when it comes to sewing window coverings. Forget buying curtains from the local big box store.

You can easily make curtains that are unique to your design scheme and personal tastes. While you can certainly make complicated draperies, the easiest way to cover your windows is by making panels.

To do this, measure your window vertically and horizontally. Add five inches to the length to account for top and bottom hems. The more you add to your horizontal measurement, the fuller your curtains will be.

If you want a pleated look, add at least an extra 12 inches to your measurement. Take your measurements to the fabric store, and purchase the appropriate amount of yardage.

Use your measurements and cut your fabric into two pieces. These will comprise your panels.

Make a two-inch hem around all sides of your pieces using your sewing machine. You now have a new pair of curtains to hang on your window. Find some more great curtain ideas here!

Replace Your Closet Doors with Fabric

They are not doors in the truest sense, but long fabric panels are fantastic alternatives to closet doors. This may be the easiest project you undertake with your sewing machine.

Measure your doorways vertically and horizontally. Add four inches to your measurement to allow for a hem.

Head out to the fabric store, and buy fabric that speaks to you. Sew a two-inch hem around all sides of your fabric and hang on a tension rod.

Keep in mind that the wider your closet, the more panels you may need.

Pillow Covers are an Easy Sewing Project for Beginners, but fun for Everyone!

Making pillow covers is as easy as pie. Whether you want to cover throw pillow or your bed pillows, the process is the same.

Purchase a few yards of your favorite fabric. Take the fabric and wrap it once around your pillow.

Pin the fabric securely and cut the excess. Slide the pillow out of the pinned cover.

Sew around the edges of the cover, leaving one edge open. Turn your new cover right-side out and put the pillow in.

Pin the open edge shut or run a line of heavy-duty thread or yarn through it and tie it shut. More advanced sewers may want to add snaps or buttons to the open end.

Easy-to-Make Sink Skirts

When you add a skirt to your pedestal sink, you create a space for storage. The fantastic thing about sink skirts is that they are so easy to make.

Simply measure from the top edge of your sink to the floor, and then measure around the sink’s front and sides. Add two inches to your measurements so that you can create a hem.

Choose your fabric, have it cut to the appropriate size, and sew a two-inch hem around all sides. Sew a strip of Velcro on the wrong side of the top edge. Attach the sticky side of your Velcro strip to your sink.

Your skirt is ready to hang. Like with window treatments, the wider your fabric is, the more pleats you will have when it hangs.

If you would prefer a pleated look, add about 18 inches to the measurement you made around the sink. If you prefer to make a no-sew sink skirt, you can find a great tutorial here.

Custom Fabric Wall Hangings

This one is great for people who live in apartments or rental spaces that do not allow for painting the walls. Take any fabric you like in any size that you like.

Hem it around the edges, creating an inch-wide hem at the top. Slip a dowel rod into the top hem to create a hanger. Place the panel on your wall for instant color.

You can also create great wall art without your sewing machine. Find great picture frames or old window frames.

Cut fabric to fit, leaving yourself enough to staple to the back of the frame. Alternatively, purchase cheap canvas boards from your local craft store and wrap them in fabric.

No-Sew Blankets

This design option has nothing to do with a sewing machine and everything to do with fabric. You can make no-sew blankets for your pets, your toddler, or even the back of your couch.

Purchase two appropriately-sized piece of fleece. Have each piece cut exactly the same size.

Lay the pieces on your kitchen table or floor, one on top of the other. Take scissors and cut fringe around the edges. The fringe can be as large or as small as you like.

Work with one section of fringe at a time. Take the top piece and the bottom piece and tie them in a knot.

Work all the way around the fabric until each section of fringe is tied. That is all you have to do to create an easy blanket or throw.

Designing With a Budget?

No one can truthfully tell you that there are not some very expensive fabrics out there. The key to using your fabric, with or without your sewing machine, is buying it when it is on sale.

You can also cut up old clothes, re-purpose old bed sheets, or even take scissors to the shower curtain you no longer want. Do not spend so much on fabric that you are not saving money.

The point of these tips is to help you design on a budget. Use your head when buying fabric, not your eyes.

You can easily change the look of any room in your home with pieces of fabric and your sewing machine. Look around your home and notice all of the things that are made of fabric.

Now imagine all of the things you can create on your own. Whether you have the skills of a beginner or are an advanced sewer, you can revamp your home on a budget when you use fabric.