Homemade vs. Custom

Yesterday while I was making curtains for my windows, I started thinking about the labels that we apply to things. Mostly I was thinking that since I was making my own curtains they would probably be called "homemade", whereas if I had someone else make them they would likely be called "custom". That led me to believe that people tend to think that if one has knowledge but not money (or is just thrifty) they have homemade things, while one who has money but not knowledge (or time) has custom things. I also started thinking that if one person made 2 identical things and kept one for themselves but gave one to a friend, would the first be homemade and the second custom? The answer there, in my opinion, is that both things should be called the same thing. I think that in the end it comes down to quality and experience. If you hack something together and it looks like your blind aunt did it, it's probably homemade. If you take the time to do something right and you do a good job, I'm going to say that it's custom. I also think that most people are too modest to accept that they can do something well enough to call it custom,  it's like being boastful or cocky. How about we just call it what it is, talented.
I feel that I tend to fall into the "homemade" category based on the quality of most things I attempt. I usually know just enough to get the job done, and the outcome is usually closely resembles what it was supposed to be. My "finishing" tecniques need help which is why I recently purchased 2 books on sewing and started attending sewing classes. Ok, Ok, so I bought the books because they were on sale, but I did want to get them anyway, and I'm going to the classes because I got a fancy new sewing machine and I don't really know how to use it and the store proviedes the classes for free, but I wanted to take them anyway. The first step in getting help is admitting that you have a problem, right?  The lady as the store says I can retake the class as many times as I need to until I feel that I understand. I have a feeling that we are going to be on a first name basis in the very near future. I'm hoping to elevate my sewing status to custom quality sooner rather than later. Until then, I leave you with my most recent attempts at custom. I at least had the intention of them being nice, but you be the judge.

This is the roman shade that I attempted to make for my bathroom. I had originally intended to use different fabric, but I found this fabric that I love at Walmart in the $5/bolt section. See, "custom" doesn't have to be expensive.

And here we have the shade down.

And here is my solution to keeping them raised. The website I used for my template said to get a special thing like the ones on mini blinds. I'm too cheap though, and I didn't feel like searching for it.

There are a few minor flaws in this project, but all in all, I think it turned out well.
Here's the website I used for my pattern.
http://www.terrelldesigns.com/Instructions/Make-a-Classic-Roman-Shade/Preparing-to-Make-a-Classic-Shade
Use the calculator tool! It will save you a lot of heart/headache.