How to Make Curtains for a Sailboat
These simple curtains work well in many types of windows, including those in sailboats. To put up the curtains, you'll need a basic rod that hangs above the window, or a tension rod that fits snugly in the window frame. You can buy adjustable curtain rods in many fabric and home improvement stores. Choose a curtain fabric that's machine washable, and wash and dry the fabric before sewing the curtains, so that you can easily clean the sailboat curtains whenever you need.
Things You'll Need
- Curtain rod Measuring tape Fabric Matching thread Scissors Straight pins Iron Ironing board Sewing machine Safety pin (optional)
Instructions
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Make Curtains for a Sailboat
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1
Install the curtain rod in the sailboat. Measure the width of the installed curtain rod, then measure from the top of the installed curtain rod to the bottom of the window.
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2
Cut two pieces of fabric, each as wide as the curtain rod and about 5 inches longer than the length of the window.
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3
Hem the edges of each piece of fabric using a double-fold. To do this, fold each over about 1/2 inch toward the wrong side, then fold it over 1/2 inch again. Press the folds flat, then stitch along the edges using matching thread.
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4
Fold the top of each piece of fabric over about 3 inches toward the wrong side. This fold should be at least 1/2 inch wider than the curtain rod.
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5
Pin the folded edge in place, and stitch across the hemmed edge of each folded area. These will be the casings for the curtain rod.
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6
Take down the curtain rod and slip it through the casing at the top of both curtains. Hang up the curtains in the sailboat window.
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7
Make tiebacks for the curtains (optional) by cutting two strips of fabric, each about twice as wide as you want the tieback, plus 1/2 inch, and long enough to wrap and tie around the curtain.
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8
Fold each strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch across the edge opposite the fold. Insert a safety pin in one layer of the end of the fabric, then turn the safety pin inside the strip and push it through to turn the fabric right side out.
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9
Press each tieback flat, making sure the seams are on the back of each tieback. Turn the ends of the fabric to the inside of the tieback to keep them from raveling, then sew each end of the tiebacks closed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
To keep the curtains open, you can also use pieces of decorative cord or even sailing rope to tie back each curtain.
Use caution when working with scissors, pins, irons and sewing machines.
