How to Sew Curtains for French Doors

French doors need a covering for privacy, but you don't want to lose the view. Sew a set of curtains using delicate lace for your French doors. These curtains can be made on a sewing machine or by hand. They are hung using café rods, which can be installed on a wooden door with the enclosed hardware. There are also café rods with magnetic hardware for use on metal French doors.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lace material Tape measure Scissors Straight needles Thread Needle 2 café curtain rods 4-inch wide ribbon

1. Mark where the curtain rods will be hung on the French doors. This should be just above the top and just below the bottom of the glass pane. Measure from those two marks and add 6 inches. Measure from one side of the glass pane to the other and add 2 inches

2. Lay the lace material on a hard, flat surface. Measure and mark the lace, using the measurements you just took. Cut out the lace on these marks.

3. Measure and mark 2 inches on the the top and bottom of the lace. Measure and mark 1 inch on the two sides of the lace. Fold over the lace on the marks and iron it. Fold under another ¼ inch on all sides to conceal the cut edge, then pin the folded edge. Iron all of the folds.

4. Sew on top of the folded edge. This can be done on a sewing machine or with a needle and thread, using a running stitch. If you are sewing by hand, sew a back stitch about every inch to help lock the stitches.

5. Hang the hardware for the café rods on the marks above and below the glass panes on the French doors. Insert the end of the café rod into the hem of the long end of the lace curtain. Work the rod through the curtain's hem to the other side. Hang the curtain on the hardware and distribute the lace evenly across the French door. Repeat for the other door.

6. Slide the ribbon in the middle of the lace curtain and tie it, gathering the lace as tightly as you desire. Trim off the excess of the ribbon.