How to Make Shower Curtains for Clawfoot Tubs

With the right equipment, clawfoot tubs can accommodate showers.

Clawfoot bathtubs have remained a classic for over 100 years, and they show no signs of losing popularity among homeowners who prefer a vintage look. Although clawfoot tubs are not designed for showers, there are conversion kits that let you have the best of both worlds. Shower curtain rods for clawfoot tubs encircle the tub. Some are suspended from the ceiling, some mount on the wall, and others use a combination of both methods. Clawfoot curtains hang slightly longer than the tub for aesthetics, so you will need a separate liner to hang on the same hooks as the curtain.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 54-inch home decor fabric
• Tailor’s chalk
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine with buttonholer
• Iron
• 36 shower curtain hooks
• Extra-wide, 36-hook shower curtain liner, 70 inches long

Instructions

1. Measure from the shower curtain rod down to the length you want your shower curtain. Many curtains fall to just above the clawfoot legs, but some fall to just above the floor. Do not measure for your curtain based on the liner, as it will be too short.

2. Subtract 2 inches from length measurement. This accounts for the space between the top of the curtain and the rod.

3. Spread out the fabric on a large surface. Measure across a short edge of the fabric to 7 inches and mark the fabric with tailor’s chalk. Trim 7 inches off the entire length of fabric, cutting from the chalk mark and following the thread grain to the opposite end.

4. Measure along a long edge to the length measurement plus 6 inches. Mark it with tailor’s chalk. Repeat the measurement along the edge to mark off four equal sections.

5. Cut the fabric straight across at each of the chalk marks, following the thread grain of the fabric.

6. Place one panel of fabric on your work surface, right side up. Place another panel on top of the first, right side down, and align the edges.

7. Insert sewing pins through both layers of fabric along one long edge. Sew a straight seam along the edge with a 1-inch seam allowance, and remove the pins.

8. Pin and sew to attach the remaining two panels in the same manner, creating a single sheet of fabric that is four panels wide.

9. Turn the fabric over and press each seam allowance fold open with an iron set to your fabric’s fiber content.

10. Fold the far left edge of the shower curtain over 1/2 inch and press the fold flat. Fold it over another 1/2 inch and press it again. Insert pins along the fold perpendicular to the edge. Sew a straight seam along the pinned edge with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat on the right edge of the curtain.

11. Fold the top edge over 1 1/2 inches and press the fold. Fold it over another 1 1/2 inches and press the fold again. Insert pins and sew a straight seam as close to the upper folded edge as possible. Sew another straight seam as close to the lower folded edge as possible, and remove the pins. Repeat along the bottom edge of the shower curtain.

12. Measure along the upper hem and make 36 evenly spaced chalk marks in approximately 5-inch increments.

13. Set your sewing machine for buttonholes. If your machine allows, set it for 1-inch button holes.

14. Fashion one 1-inch-long vertical buttonhole at each of the 36 chalk marks. If your machine does not automatically slit open the buttonholes, cut them open between the two rows of stitching with the tip of a utility or craft knife.

15. Spread out the shower curtain liner on a large surface and arrange the shower curtain on top. Align the shower curtain ring openings of both layers along the upper edge.

16. Slip one shower curtain ring through every pair of aligned openings of the curtain and liner. Hang the shower curtain and liner from the rings on the shower bar, with the opening situated at the faucet location.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a colorful summertime shower curtain by sewing several bath sheet towels together side by side.

• As an alternative to buttonholes, insert 36 metal grommets along the upper edge for the curtain rings.

• If your tub has a side faucet, make your curtain in two sections to allow a front opening and access to the faucet.

• Use waterproof or water-resistant fabric and shorten the overall shower curtain by 3 inches to use your shower curtain without a separate liner. The full-length curtain would create a tripping hazard if used inside the tub.

• Always check fabric thoroughly after sewing to be sure all pins are removed.

References

• Pond Lily: Clawfoot--Instructional