Thanks for all your hard work Karen! Can't wait to read it in its entirety. Jodi-

Anele, I can totally relate. I made panels last year for my living room. Let me start this by saying that I do not sew. My mom who is quite skilled at sewing, tried to teach me in my youth, but I never made it past learning how to sew on a button. A couple of years ago, my 12 y/o got a sewing machine for her birthday (a really nice one, not a kids' machine). She uses it for making fun stuff like purses, pillows, etc. Well, I decided that I was going to try to make panels - I mean, how hard could it be to sew rectangles?! A friend of mine offered to assist - she was making some panels herself. I had the fabric already (had fallen in love with a fabric I saw online then stumbled over it on clearance at a local fabric store so bought it and saved it, thinking I'd have someone else make my panels for me). Anyway, my friend walked me through it - helped me measure the fabric and the lining, then showed me how to pin. I have to say, the hardest part was all the pinning! Making sure that the hems were all evenly pinned took forever. If I remember correctly, I hemmed the bottoms of the panels and lining (separately) first, then laid the lining onto the panels and sewed then sewed the side and top hems into place over the lining so at the bottom, my lining hangs loose at the bottom but is sewn into the panel at the top and sides (not sure I'm making any sense). As a mom of four, plus a dog and cat, finding a convenient place to lay everything out was a pain. My kids are all in school (youngest was in kindy at the time) so I had to do it while they were at school. I only had one space in the house that was wide and long enough where I could fully lay the panel out to do all the cutting and pinning then I just draped them over my dining room chairs until I had time to do the sewing. I just did them one by one but it took me months! Mainly b/c I didn't set aside the time to do it, not b/c it was time consuming. I then used my kitchen table (I have a large farm table) for the actual sewing. All in all, it was a fun project. I was so proud of myself that I decided at some point, I want to take a sewing class. Unfortunately, I haven't taken out the sewing machine since, but I do plan on making a couple of pillows (nothing fancy) soon. And I have to say, my mom was SHOCKED when she came over and saw the panels hanging and I told her that *I* made them. She couldn't believe it, especially when she saw that I took the time and lined them! Here is an old picture. The panels aren't hanging nicely here and have since been fixed, but you can get the idea of my finished product! Good luck with yours!

I'm closing on our new construction home next week and have been buying curtains in bulk. :) I need longer panels (most of my windows need 92+ inches), and I don't like most of the fabrics that are widely used nowadays (dupioni, taffeta, etc.) I don't like shiny curtains at all so that cuts about 90% of my choices. I have ordered several from Overstock. I need longer lengths (most rooms will do best with about 92") and some tailoring to length. They seemed to have the best selection of longer panels. Products range from cheap to pricey, it just depends on what you want. I ordered some of the signature velvet panels and even once I have them tailored, it will cost me less than it would've cost to buy enough comparable fabric during the fabric store's 40% off sale. JC Penney, and if they aren't on sale, just wait because they will be soon. If you have a Penney's outlet nearby, even better! AMAZING deals there, if they have anything good. BBB can be pricey, but a little hint - you can use their 20% coupons even after they're expired. And you can use one per item (in other words, if you buy 5 items, you can use 5 coupons... even in the same transaction. But you could not use 5 coupons and get something free). Sears actually has a pretty big selection. Linens n' Things - have done away with their retail stores, but they still have a web business and 20% off coupons. Try your local Craigslist, and/or ebay. Make your own? DD's curtains are made of flat sheets. They were the only thing I could find the perfect color in. And I don't really sew (I had to buy a sewing machine to make those curtains!), so the best part is that -- 2 of your edges are already finished. :)

One of their pages -- Royal Velvet® Supreme Pinch-Pleat/Back-Tab Lined Patio Door Panel: https://www.jcpenney.com/p/royal-velvet-supreme-pinch-pleat-back-tab-lined-patio-door-panel/pp5003970047?pTmplType=regular&searchTerm=pinch%2Bpleat%2Bpatio%2Bpanel&searchType=Predictive%2520Search%257CProducts%257C1&predictiveDetail=product:pinch%20pleat:1:pp5003970047 ----------------------------------------------- https://www.jcpenney.com/p/jcpenney-home-jenner-cotton-rod-pocket-back-tab-thermal-curtain-panel/pp5004880297?pTmplType=regular&deptId=dept2842930842&urlState=/g/clearance-window/N-1b0lvh6Z1fd&productGridView=medium&badge=onlyatjcp