DIY Blackout Lined Curtains

Regular dark curtains still filter in light, but blackout curtains do not.

Blackout curtains block light and sound even in the bright light of day. If you can sew a straight line, you can convert traditional curtains into blackout curtains in short order. Purchase blackout lining fabric or get the darkest, most tightly woven black fabric you can find and use it to line any pair of standard curtain panels.

Things You'll Need

• Curtain panel
• Measuring tape
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Blackout fabric
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread

Instructions

1. Measure the curtain panels you want to hang in your window, using a measuring tape. Measure from the top of the panel just below the curtain rod sleeve down to just above the bottom hem and add 1 inch; measure the width from edge to edge and add 1 inch.

2. Cut blackout fabric to match the height and width dimensions calculated in Step 1.

3. Fold and press the top, bottom and side edges of the blackout fabric by 1/2 inch each, using an iron. Fold them all to the wrong side of the fabric.

4. Line up the blackout fabric on the back side of the curtain panel, positioning it so the wrong sides of the panel and blackout fabric are facing each other. Use straight pins around the edges to attach the two layers.

5. Sew the lining to the curtain, using a sewing machine. Sew a straight stitch all the way around the perimeter of the blackout fabric, using thread that matches the curtain panel so the stitches will not show. Remove the straight pins and hang the new lined curtains.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cannot find blackout fabric at your fabric store, choose black fabric that is tightly woven so it will block the light.

References

• Living with Lindsay: DIY Blackout Window Panels on the Cheap
• Green Living Tips: Saving Energy with Blackout Curtains