Thanks so much ya'll :) I haven't gotten back to sewing yet, maybe tomorrow. I was too tired after being in the heat yesterday and packing and unpacking, and today is Lazy Day..pretty much, anyway,lol. If I make curtains in this room again, I will probably go with long tablecloths for curtain panels, and matching place mats cut in half for the valances, that's even less work. For the french doors, it's just plain sheet panels with no header. These valances are what I intended to make, but I sewed them all the same, like a short curtain with a casing on top and bottom. What I did was pull the center out, fluff it, and pin it to the top of the rod,lol!

I've placed mine straight, not angled. How far down the wall is prob gonna get the most different opinions, but for me, I look at the distance between the curtain rod and the windowsill and and go about two-thirds down. Some people like the holdbacks smack dab in the middle, tho. I also make sure that the holdbacks are in a spot where they can't be seen if the curtains are completely drawn. But that's just my preference. Sometimes that means I draw the curtain rod out a little longer on each side.

Have you tried Country Curtains? JCP, BedBath&Beyond & Overstock are some other places you can try. I assume you're aware that curtains displayed as gathered on a rod can easily be hung with rings, so don't let how they're hanging deter you from buying curtain you like. I just finished making short, unlined panel curtains and even though they were only 63" long I would not say they were easy to make. Sewing them was easy, but cutting them all square was not! Not having a large surface to work from was an issue but at least I had my kitchen peninsula, which still wasn't quite wide enough. If you can find them ready made in the fabric you like, don't hesitate to buy and cut the hem. The iron on tape is fantastic! Here is a link that might be useful: country curtains

Depends upon the room: the shape of the room and the size of the windows, the need for privacy, the need for sun control, budget, and personal preference. My own plans: Plantation shutters and drapes in the dining room and all bedrooms. I love plantation shutters, and they're so practical. This'll also give a consistent look across the front of the house. However, I think the drapes are also necessary to make them look "finished"; the drapes will be just for show -- maybe even on dummy rods. I'm using long drapes (on ceiling tracks) over the sliders in the great room. They're "softer" than the shutters and more fitting for the look I want in that room. Cheaper too. This room will face the back yard, so privacy won't be a big issue, but sun control will be needed. In the bay breakfast nook I'll use white fluttery curtains. Since this faces the back yard, privacy isn't an issue, and I like this look in a breakfast nook. White fluttery curtains over the washer/dryer in the utility room too. What I WON'T have again is mini-blinds. Hate them. They never work well and are always dusty (maybe that's because I have dark wood mini-blinds).