How to Sew Velvet Drapes with an Interline

Interlined drapes can block sunlight from a large window or door.

Interlined drapes are identified by their thickness and weight because they have more layers of fabric than most regular drapes. This type of curtain is created by sandwiching a thick interlining layer of fabric or batting between the lining fabric and the decorative outer fabric. This is often done to mask the transparency of a lightweight decorative fabric, to add weight to a curtain for a better hang to the fabric, or to create a warmer cover for a drafty window. One type of fabric that often requires interlining is velvet, which becomes transparent when placed before a light or window.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Velvet fabric
• Lightweight cotton batting
• Cotton lining fabric
• Scissors
• Pins
• Thread
• Home sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

1. Take the window measurements for your drapes. Measure the length of the curtain rod and the distance between the curtain rod and the floor.

2. Add 6 inches to the curtain rod length. This will become your curtain width measurement. Also add 6 inches to the rod to floor measurement. This will become your curtain length measurement.

3. Take the velvet fabric, and lay it out on a flat surface. Cut two rectangles from the fabric, using the measurements from Step 2.

4. Take the measurements from Step 1. Subtract 3 1/2 inches from the curtain rod length and 6 inches from the rod to floor distance.

5. Lay out the cotton batting and lining fabric. Cut two rectangles from the cotton batting and lining fabric, using the measurements from Step 4.

6. Lay the lining fabric out on a flat surface, with the right side of the fabric facing downward. Lay the cotton batting on top of the lining. Pin all edges together, then baste the edges on the sewing machine.

7. Lay each piece of the velvet fabric out on a flat surface, with the wrong side of the fabric facing upward. Lay each lining layer on top of it, with the batting side facing downward.

8. Adjust the lining layers so that there is a 1 3/4-inch gap between the side edges of the lining layer and the side edges of the velvet layers. Adjust the lining so that there is a 4 1/4-inch gap between the top edge of the lining and the top edge of the velvet. Make sure that each curtain piece is identical.

9. Fold in the side edges on each piece 1/2-inch and iron the fold flat. Fold in the side edges another 1 1/4-inch. Pin the folded edge to the edge of the lining layer, so that it is just barely captured between the velvet. Sew along the folded edge on each piece.

10. Repeat Step 9 on the bottom edges of each curtain piece. Iron all edges flat.

11. Fold the top edge of each velvet layer over 1/4-inch and iron it flat. Fold the top edges over another 4 inches and pin them to the edge of the lining layer. Sew along this edge on each piece.

12. Iron out both drapes. Slide the curtain rod through the top edges of the drapes and adjust as desired.

References

• "More Sew-It-Yourself Home Decor"; Chris Jeffrys; 2005.
• "The Complete Book of Curtains and Drapes"; Caroline Wrey; 1991.

Resources

• Lined Curtains Tutorial