How To Make Curtains
Curtains are a very important part of our home decor. They add beauty and elegance to our rooms.
But they also play a huge role in giving us privacy when we need it.
Curtains can be made out of different materials like cotton, linen, silk, etc.
The most common material used for making curtains is cotton. It is the best fabric to use because of its durability.
However, there are other fabrics that you can use if you want to give your room an elegant look.
You can choose from different types of fabric depending on what kind of effect you want to achieve.
If you want to create a simple curtain then you should go with plain or solid colors. This will help you get a clean and uncluttered look.
If you want to add some color to your curtains then you should opt for patterned ones. These can be printed or embroidered.
Curtains often pull a room together, so it is important that you choose curtains that will match.
However, when you can't find ready-made curtains in the fabric you want, that is where making them can come in handy.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the steps on how to make curtains.
Equipment
Before we get started on how to make curtains, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to make them.
To make curtains you will need:
- Fabric
- Fabric Lining
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Scissors
- Iron
- Pins
- Tape Measurer
- Ruler
The Steps To Make Curtains
Now that you have everything you need to make the curtains, let us look at how to make them.
Step One
The first thing you need to do in order to make curtains is to measure. You need to measure the length and width of the window you want to cover.
Then take the measurements into consideration while choosing the fabric.
For example, if you want to make curtains for a small window, you don't need as much fabric as you would for a large one.
When you are measuring the area you would like for the curtains to be placed, you need to consider where the curtain rod is.
You also need to think about where you want your curtains to sit.
It is important that you ask yourself if you would prefer them to touch the floor or so they are just above the floor.
There is also the option to have them end just below the bottom of the window.
Step Two
Now that you have all of your measurements, you need to start cutting your fabric.
Make sure to cut your fabric slightly bigger than the measurements you took.
It is best to leave around 7 inches spare when cutting the width and height.
This is so you can hem the fabric to have a clean edge.
When cutting the fabric lining, you need to make sure it is the same width as the curtain fabric but it should be around 3 inches shorter.
Step Three
Once all of your fabric pieces are cut, it is time to pin everything down and sew.
You need to pin one end of the lining so it is flush with the end of the curtain fabric.
Since you cut the lining fabric shorter, there will be extra space at the bottom end.
When you are pinning your lining fabric to the curtain fabric, make sure to pin the lining fabric to the front of the curtain fabric.
This will be flipped inside out at a later point. At this point only sew on one side and sew on the top of the curtain.
Step Four
After you have pinned down one side, it is time to create a lining hem.
To do this you need to fold the lining fabric an inch and a half at the bottom.
Then fold the curtain fabric three inches at the bottom. The two fabrics should overlap.
Sew the hem you've made in the lining fabric and then sew the hem you've made in the curtain fabric.
You do not want to sew them together as this would prevent you from turning them inside out.
Instead, you want to make sure you stitch them together in the corners, this way it creates a pocket and the fabric isn't loose.
Step Five
Now you can sew the second side together. This should be done in the exact same ways as you did on the first side.
Step Six
When everything is sewn together, you can flip the curtain inside out.
To do this, there should be a gap between the lining fabric and the curtain fabric at the bottom of your curtains.
When it is the right way, cut away any exposed threads. You can also use the iron to make sure all the edges are crisp and even.
Step Seven
It is time to make the pocket for the curtain rod to go through.
To do this you need to fold the top of the curtain, so around 3 to 4 inches of fabric is folded. Then pin this into place and sew.
This should create a tunnel for the curtain rod to slide through.
This is the easiest way to hang the curtains, instead of making hooks.
Step Eight
Before you hang the curtains you need to iron them.
This might not seem like an important step but it helps to make the curtains look more professional as it gives them clean edges.
Step Nine
All that is left to do is hang your new curtain. This style of curtain makes one big curtain as opposed to two.
However, if you prefer to make two, you just need to repeat the steps on another piece of fabric.
It is important to note that depending on the fabric you have chosen, you might need to change how you are stitching. This is so the fabric does not pucker.
Final Thoughts
Curtains are a great way to bring character into the home.
They are also not as hard as you would think to make. Following these steps, you should be able to make curtains in no time at all.
We hope this step-by-step guide has helped you to feel more confident about making curtains.
Please share this with others who may benefit from learning how to make curtains.
Thank you for reading and enjoy making curtains!