DIY Yellow Tulle Curtains

Stiffened tulle is used for ballerinas' tutus.

Tulle is a fine, lightweight fabric made from a range of fibers, including silk and rayon. It has a range of uses, including wedding veils and ballet skirts. Curtains made from tulle are decorative only, as the fabric has no insulating properties and will not block light. Yellow tulle gives a very fresh and pretty effect when dressing a window, and can be fitted over a blind to make it more practical. Tulle is often starched to give it more structure. Starching curtain fabric will make it stand away from the wall rather than drape. If you like this effect, the curtains will need to be restarched after every wash.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow tulle fabric
• Measuring tape
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors
• Pins
• Lightweight heading tape
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Measure the window from the top of the rail to the ground, and from side to side. As tulle is a very lightweight fabric, the curtain will be made wide to give it plenty of fullness. Cut a piece of fabric six inches longer than the height measurement, and twice as wide than the width of the window. Repeat for the other curtain. If you need several pieces of fabric to make up the width, they will require joining.

2. Join pieces of fabric by laying one piece exactly on top of another. Pin down the long edge, then machine sew and remove the pins. Iron the seam open, then join another piece on if necessary. Repeat for the other curtain.

3. Fold a double one-inch seam in the bottom of the curtain. Press and machine sew into place. Fold a double one-inch hem down each side edge, press and machine sew. Fold a single one-inch hem into the top of the curtain and press. Repeat for the other curtain.

4. Lay the heading tape along the top of the curtain so that the top edge of the tape is a half-inch below the top of the curtain and the tape covers the folded hem. Pin into place, then machine sew. Repeat for the other curtain.

5. Gather the curtains to the required width by gently pulling the cords of the header tape at one end. When the curtain is the correct width, tie the cords in a knot and run your hand over the gathers to even them out. Wind the loose cords into a bundle, and sew the bundle to the back of the heading tape with a couple of stitches. Repeat for the other curtain, then hang.

Tips & Warnings

• Make curtain tiebacks with bows of wide yellow ribbon, or necklaces of yellow beads.

• Tulle is a delicate fabric and may snag under the foot of a sewing machine. Take care not to sew too fast, and set the tension and stitchlength on your sewing machine for lightweight fabrics.

References

• Decorating with Tulle: What is Tulle?
• Curtain Corner: How to Make a Voile Net Curtain

Resources

• Alternative Windows: Measuring Up For Curtains