How to Make Country Style Curtains
Country curtains can be made from several different fabrics that are suited to your taste and color scheme. Muslin in white, off-white and tea-stained muslin works well. Rustic textured fabrics in almost any color that look as if they were hand woven look great with most country decor. Chintzes and calicos work well, as do sheer white fabrics. Styles range from elaborate priscillas to tab style curtains to simple rod pocket curtains and swags. Instructions that follow will be for simple rod pocket gathered curtains. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure Fabric Pins Sewing machine Thread to coordinate or match fabric Fabric cutting board with grid lines Steam iron Ironing board Curtain rods to fit windows
Instructions
-
-
1
Select the color and fabric for your country curtains that will look the best with your furniture, walls and accessories.
-
2
Measure the windows you wish to cover--both height and width--and determine exactly where you want the curtain to fall on the window or wall. If you want the curtain rod to be above the window, add that amount into the height measurement. If you want the curtain to go to the floor, the height should include those inches, as well a hem allowance and top rod pocket allowance. For the width, add the inches on each end of the curtain rod that push it out from the wall, along with hem allowances on both sides of each panel. Once the measurements are taken, triple the width so there will be enough fabric for gathering on the rods.
-
-
3
Write all your measurements down for each window following the instructions above and take them along with your curtain pattern to a fabric shop. The clerk will help you determine the exact amount of fabric you will need for each window. Don't forget to figure in fabric shrinkage. Each fabric type should specify how much to allow for shrinkage.
-
4
Prepare the fabric according to the fabric manufacturer's recommendations. Pre-washing and drying is a good idea to pre-shrink the fabric. If it shrinks more than it should or fades, take it back to the fabric store for replacement fabric of another brand.
-
5
Cut the panels in the precise widths and lengths you have determined are what you need for each window. Use a cutting board with marked guidelines to help you achieve straight lines.
-
6
Hem the sides of each curtain panel first. To do this, fold 1/4 inch of fabric under and press with an iron heated to the right temperature for the fabric. Then fold the fabric under 1 inch on each side and press. Stitch each hem down on the sewing machine with a medium length straight stitch, or, if you prefer, hem by hand with a slip stitch.
-
7
Sew the rod pocket for each panel. Fold 1/4 inch of the edge down and press. Fold under 2 to 3 inches for the rod pocket. Sew the pocket down on the sewing machine, leaving each end open for the rod to slide into.
-
8
Hang the curtains on the rods to make certain they fit well. If they do not, make any adjustments at this time before you hem the bottoms. If they look right, pin up the hems on the curtain bottoms so they fall where you want the curtain to end. Take the curtains down, press down the pinned up hems and sew them either on the sewing machine or by hand. Iron the curtains and hang on the windows.
-
1
