How to Make a Trapezoid Drapery

Many modern homes have trapezoid windows. These are windows near the ceiling whose top edge follows the slope of the ceiling. Mobile draperies (the type that open) are not practical for a fixed trapezoidal window as the sloped shape will not allow the drapery to collect evenly. Fixed drapery panels work well and can be easily suspended from a hook system. These fixed panels can be further decorated by using tieback posts and a scarf to create an attractive window treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Pencil and pad
• Fabric
• Liner
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board
• Seam ripper
• Mounting hooks
• Small drapery clips
• 2 tieback posts
• Power screwdriver
• Scarf

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the trapezoid window. Add one-half of this measurement to your width measurement. Add an additional 3 inches for the finished fabric width and 1 inch for the liner fabric width. Measure from both the peak and nonpeak sides of the top window, along the side of the window to the bottom window edge. Add 6 inches.

2. Prewash your fabric. Transfer your measurements to the drape fabric and cut out your trapezoid shape. Transfer your lining measurements to the back side of the lining fabric and cut. The lining should be more narrow than the drape since you want the edge of the drape to wrap each side for a clean and finished look.

3. Lay the drape fabric on the table finished side up. Lay the liner face down on the drape fabric (right sides together). Position the liner so that the bottom straight edge lines up and so that the liner is centered width-wise on the drape fabric. The drape fabric should be 1 inch wider on each side. Trim the top of the liner to match the drape fabric by using scissors.

4. Align the bottom corner of the liner and drape fabric, then pin along the side for a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Align the other bottom corner and pin the other side in the same way. Sew the sides together using a sewing machine to form a tube.

5. Iron the seams, then reverse the tube. With the drape face down, fold the side seam over approximately 1 inch and pin along the side. Do this on both sides. The liner and drape fabric should lay flat in the middle. Iron the sides to create a crisp edge on each side.

6. Trim the top edge of the combined drapery panel with scissors to even out the drape and lining fabric. Fold a double 3/8-inch hem and sew on your sewing machine. Fold the top hem over at 2 1/4 inches. Tuck the peak corner inside and sew the wide hem to the drape with a blind stitch.

7. Attach mounting eye hooks evenly spaced along the underside of the windows top edge. Space these from 4 to 7 inches apart. Attach evenly spaced mounting clips to your drapery (the same number of clips as hooks). Mount your drape and pin the hem to fit. Take the drape down and seam-rip the bottom inch or two of each side seam. Trim the lining so that you can hem it by machine, and it will be slightly shorter than the drapery-finished fabric hem. Double-fold the drape fabric to the finished hem length and blind-stitch to finish. The liner and the finished fabrics hang separately (are not sewn together at the bottom) to prevent drape bunching.

8. Mount a tieback post 3 inches above the window peak and a second post 3 inches above the end of the shorter side. Drape a window scarf over these posts to disguise the top of your drapery and to bring additional color to your decor.

Tips & Warnings

• Large trapezoidal window treatments may benefit from drapery weights, which can be installed during fabrication of the curtain. Lining your drapery adds weight, but provides light control and insulation as well. It also makes draperies hang better.

References

• Alternative Windows