How to Sew Privacy Panels

Privacy panels are drapery panels made of heavy fabric that create a barrier you cannot see through. You might install privacy panels over windows, outside doors or on interior French doors. Sewing a privacy panel is similar to sewing any drapery panel--the process involves measuring the space, making a pocket for the rod at the top of the panel and sewing the fabric into a panel.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Pins
• Iron

Instructions

1. Measure the height and width of the area for the privacy panel. Make the width of the fabric for the privacy panel two times wider than the size of the window or door. Make the height of the privacy panel approximately 8 inches longer than the size of the window or door (you will trim away the excess fabric).

2. Wash the fabric you will use to make the privacy panel and dry it to prevent shrinking after you sew the privacy panel. Cut the fabric to the dimensions measured in step one.

3. Turn under ½ inch along each long edge of the fabric and iron these folds. Turn under another ½ inch along the long edges and iron these folds. Turn under one more inch along the long edges, iron the folds again and sew 3/8 inch away from the folded outer edges.

4. Make the pocket for the drapery rod. Measure the width of the drapery rod from the top of the rod to the bottom and add ½ inch. Turn under the top short edge of the panel -inch and iron this fold. Turn under the drapery rod width (plus ½ inch) and press this fold. Sew ¼ inch away from the second folded edge to create the pocket for the drapery rod.

5. Measure the distance from the top of the rod to the point to which you want the privacy panel to extend. Add ½ inch to this measurement.

6. Measure the privacy panel fabric and cut the panel at the length you measured in Step 5.

7. Fold under ½ inch along the bottom edge of the privacy panel and press this fold. Stitch 3/8 inch away from the folded edge to hem the privacy panel.

8. Hang the privacy panel by sliding the pocket over the drapery rod.

References

• Our House and Garden: Door Panels