How to Make Easy Curtains with Patterned Fabric

It's a shame to pay a lot of money in a department store for simple curtains. Yet, even if you know how to sew your own curtains, using particular types of patterns can take special consideration. With some tips, you'll find it's not difficult to work with patterned fabric when making curtains.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patterned fabric
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Iron

1. Measure your window's width. Measure the length of the window from the curtain rod to the location the curtains should reach at the bottom. Double the width measurement. Add 3 inches to the length measurement.

2. Purchase your patterned fabric from the measurements in Step 1. Check the width of the fabric on the bolt you've chosen. It may be 45 inches, 60 inches or more. You might need just 1 width or 2 widths to match your measurements. Ask for the number of yards you need from the length measurement in Step 1. You'll need 2 lengths if you require 2 widths.

3. Cut your fabric to your measurements, creating 2 panels (each one the same measurement as the window width). At this point, you will consider the pattern of the fabric. If it's an all-over pattern (going in all different directions), it won't matter how the fabric is cut. If it's a plaid, make sure your cutting lines are very straight. You will be cutting two curtain panels. Make sure that the plaids match, side-by-side, on the panels. This is probably the most difficult patterned fabric to work with. Your fabric may have a pattern that simply goes one way. You don't want to cut the material so that one panel is patterned to face downwards and the other one to face upwards. Make sure both panels are cut so the pattern goes in the same direction.

4. Fold and press under 1/4 inch on each side of each panel. Fold and press 1/4 inch again. Sew these side hems close to the inside fold.

5. Create the bottom hems on both panels. If the fabric is a one-way pattern, make sure it's going in the correct direction. Fold and press under 1/4 inch. Measure 1 inch and press it under, tacking it in place with straight pins. Sew across the hem of both panels at the inside edge of the hem. Remove the straight pins.

6. Make a tube in the curtain panels for the curtain rod. Fold and press under 1/4 inch at the opposite end from the hem. Fold and press under another 1 1/2 inches and pin with straight pins. Sew across the inside edge, creating a tube. Remove the straight pins.

7. Pull the curtain rod through each tube of the curtain panels. Place the rod on the holders, attached to the top of the window area.

References

• All Free Crafts
• Savvy Seams