Making Window Curtains the Professional Way

Making window curtains provides a much cheaper alternative to buying curtains at a store. Sewing window curtains also allows homeowners to design more creative and individual spaces, as there are many more fabric options available in sewing and textile shops and online. The process is not difficult and is cheap enough that making several curtain sets is not out of the question. Switching curtains makes a substantial change in an interior design and can be a breath of fresh air into a room.

Professionals often make "tab top" curtains, which means that sewn fabric tabs hold the curtain as it hangs from the window rod.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Measuring tape
• Sewing pins
• Sewing machine
• Curtain rod

Instructions

Instructions for Window Panels

1. Measure your window's width and divide in half (for one panel of two for the finished window curtains). For the curtain's height, measure from the top of the window to the desired length (some window panels end at the floor, some at the bottom of the window and some in between). Mark the lengths with a sewing pin or marker and cut out the panels, leaving enough room for error. Repeat for the second panel of identical size.

2. Take the measuring tape and the fabric for one of the panels. Start on one of the long sides and measure an inch inward. Fold the unhemmed side in and pin it down, so that the hem is an inch wide. The pins should lay parallel to the side of the fabric. Continue down the side to the end of the panel, measuring in every two or three inches and pinning the fabric down. Repeat for the other long side.

   Place the fabric in the sewing machine and sew down the side, removing the pins as the sewing needle approaches them. To secure the stitches, sew down four stitches and backstitch four. This will prevent your seams from coming undone.

3. Take the top of the panel and measure one inch down from the edge, fold the edge in and pin down, just like the sides. Repeat every few inches until the end. Sew and don't forget to back stitch at top and bottom to secure the stitching.

   Take the bottom edge and measure in 3 inches. Fold and pin so that the bottom hem is 3 inches wide. Continue measuring, folding and pinning along the bottom. Place the fabric on the sewing machine and sew the bottom, staying about a half-inch in from the unfinished edge.

   Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the second panel.

4. Take a third swath of fabric to make the tabs from which the panel will hang. Pick an edge and measure 6 inches inward. Mark the length with a pen or sewing pin--this marks the length of the tab. For the width, measure three inches from the other edge, and mark the space. Cut the tab, making a rectangle of 6-by-3 inches. Repeat 16 times for eight tabs per panel.

5. Take one of the tab squares and fold it lengthwise. Pin the fold down and sew along the open seam. Stay close to the unfinished edge but make sure to sew on the fabric. Remove the pins and turn the tab inside out so that the seam is on the inside.

   Fold the tab again so that the two unfinished edges meet. Sew along the unfinished bottom. The tab should form a loop from which the window panel will hang. Repeat for the other 16 tabs.

6. Take the top of one of your panels. Place the finished tab about a half-inch in from the side and with the unfinished bottom of the tab a half-inch in from the top. Keep the tab on the back of the panel and pin the tab to the fabric panel. Sew the tab to the panel's top.

   Repeat for the second panel.

7. Place the curtain rod through the loops formed by the tabs and hang your curtain in front of the window.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a steady foot on the machine's pedal and feed the fabric through the sewing machine at an even pace as you sew. This will result in a more even stitch.

• Be careful while using the sewing machine and keep your fingers clear of the sewing machine's needle to prevent injury.

References

• Ehow Videos: How to Make Window Curtains: Video Series