Using quilt as a shower curtain
 

In our new home I am thinking about using a quilt or a pieced top for a shower curtain in the guest bathroom. This shower will not be used frequently (I was afraid of mildew) so I think it would hold up well. My question is this, do I make up the quilt as usual with backing and batting or just use the top or the top and backing with no batting. Either way I will use a shower curtain liner. I know some of you have done this and I need your opinions please. Thanks for your responses.

When I did that I used a top and back, no batt. I have also just added a pieced panel to the bottom of an existing shower curtain to lengthen it.

The ones I've seen didn't have any batting. As long as you use a liner you shouldn't have any problems. Let us see your finished project.

I've been making my own shower curtains for years - usually use cotton, and while not actually quilted, they are color or print blocked. Just toss them in the wash every year.

I would quilt the top to a backing without any batting so that it could be washed, unless you serge all the seams. I was going to make mine, but then I found a shower curtain that I like that used the colors I was looking for.

I have made patchwork cotton shower curtains. I have never used batting of any kind. I have used washed muslin as lining. The last time I used an inexpensive cloth shower curtain liner for the backing. I always wash all my fabrics before sewing so shrinkage was not a problem. I also use an inexpensive vinyl liner in back. I live in a humid climate and these have washed and worn well. Hope this helps ... :)

I made one one time because I wanted to see if I could piece on the serger. It worked well and when it was done I decided I didn't even need a backing because the seams were all enclosed and the plastic liner was behind it.

I've done 1 cloth shower curtain but not a quilted one. I wouldn't put any batting in. The cotton would absorb moisture and get very heavy.... plus you'd have the mildew thing going on inside the layers. I would make my quilt like any other quilt (no batting) and put my grommits on the one side. But I wouldn't attach the liner to the quilt. That's the way I have my shower curtains here at home. I can wash the outer decorative curtain without a problem. And, if the plastic liner gets ugly, I can replace that without destroying my pretty cloth curtain. Good luck with your project.

I also would. Ot use batting as I would think it would absorb moisture from the shower water steam and get heavy or mildew over time. Just a lightweight backing (unless you serge) and a vinyl liner. Love to see pictures!

Thank you for you replies. When I get this made I will piece the top, line it with muslin and use a detached vinyl liner. I have been looking around for fabric. Want to make it a two-color top, at least that is what I have in mind right now. LOL
We are using "coastal" decor so I am trying to pick out a pattern which would go along with that theme. So much to do but so little time to accomplish it. I can't drag out the fabrics, sewing machine, etc right now because most of my things are packed ready for the move at the end of the month. Going through withdrawal here! I think I need therapy!

I made one for my DD. I bought the vinyl coated cotton fabric. I made two curtains, one for vinyl facing out and one for the vinyl to face the stall side. I hemmed them and made eyelets for the curtain rings. I didn't piece it, just hemmed the fabric. It was the color and design she wanted that she couldn't find in a regular shower curtain. You could use the vinyl fabric for the lining. It's soft and supple and sews like cotton.

I would do it without batting. I would definitely use a liner curtain

I would lightly spray the back of it with either Scotchguard or the new Multiwet repellant by rustoleum. They make one for fabrics now. They say you can even put regular fabrics sprayed with this outside. That way if the back gets wet the water won't penetrate the fabric. I have to make my shower curtains because I have a walk in shower that replaced the tub and it needs 72 x 78 which you can't find except in the vinyl liner. I use curtains that I sew together and then hem and place button holes across the top about every 6 inches. Works great especially when I can get curtains on clearance for $2 - $3 a panel. And I do use a liner behind it.

Skip the batting as it will make the curtain too heavy and likely pull the rod down. Make the quilt top and add a backing, and use a plastic shower liner. This will allow light in and make it easy to launder. Good luck!

You said you want a 'coastal' theme. When I was living on the beach I found a great LQS that had lots of beachy fabric. That's what I used for the shower curtain I made. It was a peach color of sea shells..... loved it. Try looking for your fabric at LQSs along the coast. Good luck.

ps- I know how frustrating it can be when you're getting ready for a move..... my family calls me the moving queen. But, once you get things packed, just sit down, sip a glass of wine, and think about how wonderful it will be in your new sewing area. It works for me, every time.

I made bedroom curtains, same principle, no batting, and used natural muslin for the backing. It's cotton, dries fast and holds up well. I put it together pillowcase style and hand stitched the bottom. Just a thought, Edie

How absolutely wonderful. I thought I was the only quilter in the whole wide world that sat down to sew with a glass of wine. How sweet it is!!!!!!!! Try Trader Joe's Auslese - It is a quilter's wine. TRUST ME!!!! Or perhaps a nice Tawny Port! TRUST ME!!!!! Or, whatever's in your cupboard or fridge. TRUST ME!!!!! Edie

PS - I prefer the Auslese - nice lady at her machine or sitting in a rocking chair hemming or sewing her quilt by hand type of wine.

I made one years ago, I used cheater panels sewn togther, looked like a pieced quilt from a distance. I used a light weight batting & cotton batting, made eyelet button holes for the shower rings, also hung it with plastic shower liner. I thought it looked great, visitors complimented it. Had to replace the liner a couple of times due to mildew but the quilted curtain did well.
When we moved it didn't go well with bathrooms in new house so I just sewed up on the sides, added strap handles and still use it as a carrier for Stitch Camp portable table & cutting mat.

I made a shower curtain and window curtain using panels prints and coordinating fabric for my master bath. I pull it down twice a year to wash it and have been using it since 2004. I did not back it, but I did zigzag over the raw edges, and sew the seams down for strength. I did use darker colors but my thinking is I know where everything is in the shower, so daylight is not really important to me. My bathroom light is on the ceiling just above and outside of the shower so it is not real dark, just slightly shadowy. When I made the curtain, I put a white strip at the top for additional natural light in the bath. The bathroom walls are painted a pale mint, and I love the way it turned out. I hope you like it.

My dear departed sister-in-law made a beautiful shower curtain quilt, flimsily, a TEXAS STAR, in sweet pastels. I am going by memory now but I believe that she did not layer it or quilt it. It moved too easily to have been sandwiched. The fabric seemed to hang and move like a single layer of fabric. Perhaps she did have a plain backing layer. I know that she used a clear plastic show curtain behind it so there would not be any water damage. It was such a striking touch to her families bathroom. So.... in the end, do give this a try.

Ditto everything nanna-up-north said. I was going to write a response, but she said it perfectly. Good luck!

We had repainted our bathroom. DH was looking at my stash and that is where we got the color for the bathroom. It was in a piece of fabric. Ended up there was enough fabric to make the shower curtain. I used a piece of muslin for the backing. Everything was pre-washed and the fabric came from an estate sale. I usually wash the liner in the washing machine and let it drip dry in the shower/tub. All total about $5.00.

Here is the shower curtain I made for my DDIL, who picked out the fabrics and designed it. I used french seams to enclosed the raw edges, but a serger would work great. My DS wanted a "window" of vinyl at the top and I found an inexpensive clear vinyl with embossed bubbles that I cut up for the window. Either sew with the vinyl between two layers of fabric or use tissue paper between the vinyl and your presser foot, or it sticks and the machine won't advance the fabric. Here it is: (looks like pillowcases sewn together on the bed, but looks much better hanging LOL) I used buttonholes for the curtain rings. They use a clear liner behind it so as to not block the light coming through the "window". Works great!

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I think you could do whatever you want if you use a good liner with it.

I'm glad you asked this question because SOMEDAY I'm going to make a shower curtain to match my guest room and was wondering the same things. I don't know how to do grommets or buttonholes, so I'll have to learn before I tackle this.