How to Sew Drapery Panels
Drapery panels create window treatments that have a timeless quality. Over the years, certain drapery styles have been more popular than others, but drapes in one form or another have been fashionable for ages and will likely remain in vogue for decades. One of the most popular styles of drapes now is tab-top drapery panels, which provide a clean, contemporary look. These drapes feature wide straps at the top of the panel, through which a drapery pole is inserted. There is no need for drapery hooks or complicated and costly traverse hardware as the panels are simply pulled to open and close. Each window has two drapery panels that meet in the center when closed.
Things You'll Need
- Drapery fabric
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Iron
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Determine the length of your finished drapery panels, beginning at the top of the drapery rod and extending to the bottom edge. To this length, add 2 1/2 inches.
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2
Measure the width of your window. Cut two pieces of fabric of this width and as long as the total measurement in Step 1.
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3
On each side of each drapery panel, fold under 1/2 inch to conceal raw edges and then fold over another 1 inch. Fold over the top edge 1/2 inch and then another 1 1/2 inches. Make the bottom hem by folding under 1/2 inch and then folding up 3 inches. Pin, press and stitch down around all edges.
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4
Place pins across the top edge of each panel to indicate where tabs will be placed. Begin and end at each side edge, and evenly space tabs every 3 to 4 inches.
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5
Cut out the needed number of tab strips as 9 1/2-by-4-inch rectangles. Fold each strip in half lengthwise, with right sides together. Using a 1/2-inch seam, sew down the long edge and one short edge. Turn right side out. Using a zigzag stitch, sew across raw edge to prevent raveling.
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6
On the back side of the drapery panel, pin a tab where each pin is placed, positioning the zigzagged edge of each tab 1 1/2 inches down from the top of the drapery panel. Fold over the tab so that the sewn short edge touches the zigzagged edge. Sew horizontally across the bottom edge of each tab. Sew a straight line across the entire top of the drapery panel, going over the tabs as you sew.
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