How to Make a Casing for a Curtain Rod

A casing is a simple fold of fabric that you can use to slip a curtain rod through the top of a curtain or curtains. You can even add a decorative ruffled edge to the top of the casing if you desire. To add a casing to a curtain, you’ll need to cut the fabric for the curtain extra tall, so it’s best to plan for the casing before you start making the curtains.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Matching thread
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing machine

1. Measure the height of the curtain rod you plan to use. Some rods list the height of the rod on the packaging. For example, a round rod might be 3/4 inches in diameter, or a flat rod might be 2 inches high. If the rod is extra wide at the ends (not counting decorative pieces that are removable), measure the widest part.

2. Add 1 inch to the height of the rod, plus 1 inch for the hem, to find the height of the casing. If you want the casing to have an extra ruffle on top, add another 1 inch to the casing height. For example, if the rod is 2 inches high, make the casing 4 to 5 inches high.

3. Cut the fabric for the curtain with extra room for the casing at the top, using the result of Step 2 to figure out how much extra fabric you need.

4. Hem the sides of the curtain.

5. Fold the top edge of the curtain over 1/2 inch toward the wrong side. Then fold it over another 1/2 inch to encase the raw edge. Press the folds flat and pin them in place. Stitch across the folded edge using matching thread.

6. Fold the top edge of the curtain over toward the wrong side, so that the folded fabric is as wide as the height of the casing. Use the result of Step 2, minus the 1 inch for the hem. Measure the fold in several places to make sure it’s even all the way across.

7. Pin the lower edge of the folded fabric to the curtain. Stitch the lower edge of the folded fabric to the curtain using matching thread.

8. Add a ruffled edge to the top of the casing (optional) by stitching along the top edge of the casing using matching thread, about 1/2 to 1 inch away from the upper edge.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove any decorative ends from the curtain rod. Then slip the rod through the casing. If you included a ruffled edge, the top of the casing will stick up slightly above the top of the rod. Hang up the curtain rod and reattach the decorative ends.
• If you’ve already cut the curtain fabric without leaving room for a casing, you can sew an extra strip of fabric to the top of the curtain. Make the casing fabric 1/4 to 5/8 inch taller than the results of Step 2 (to leave room for seam allowance) and as wide as the curtain, plus room for hems.
• Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.