How to Sew Patio Curtains
If your patio needs a makeover, start with the curtains. Curtains are a simple sewing project for even a beginner, because all they are is a large rectangle of fabric. Sew your own patio curtains in an afternoon, and your patio will take on a whole new life. Use heavy-duty outdoor fabric if your patio curtains hang outside; if your patio is covered, you can use any fabric you like. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Fabric
- Scissors
- Iron and ironing board
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine and thread
Instructions
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1
Measure your windows or the area of your patio where you will hang your curtains. Add 10 inches to the length of the measurements and double the width, and then cut your fabric to match these measurements.
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2
Use an iron and ironing board to press the fabric smooth, if you use regular indoor fabric. If you are using plastic or heavy-duty outdoor fabric, it will probably not be suitable for ironing, so you should skip this step.
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3
Fold in each side hem of your fabric panels by 1/2 inch and iron (if your fabric will allow it). Pin this seam down using straight pins.
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4
Fold down the top hem of each fabric panel by 1/2 inch and iron (if your fabric will allow it). Fold down by 2 more inches and pin in place, ironing to make a new crease. Repeat this step on the bottom hem as well.
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5
Sew a straight hem along the bottom hem where you have pinned it in place with a sewing machine. Repeat this along the top hem, and then sew another seam 1 inch up from this spot. This is the pocket where your curtain rod will go. Sew the side seams along the pinned edge, sewing between the top and bottom hems.
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6
Slide your curtain rods through the pockets you created in the top hems and hang your patio curtains.
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Tips & Warnings
If your curtains need to look good from two sides, double the width measurement from this tutorial, making it four times the width of the window space. Fold the curtain in half lengthwise and sew in place before creating the top and bottom hems. This way the right side of the fabric will show on both sides of the curtains.
References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
