DIY Insulated Curtains

Insulated curtains provide protection from heat and cold.

The key to insulated curtains is the lining. There are many choices available, and whichever you choose will determine how much protection from heat and cold the curtains will provide. Commercial products consist of a fabric layer, a layer of batting and a reflective layer sewn together, providing very effective insulation. You can achieve a somewhat less effective barrier by inserting cotton batting between the lining and decorative fabric of your curtains. Least effective, but still a big help, are thermal linings available at your fabric store, which range from light to heavyweight.

Things You'll Need

• Curtain rod or pole
• Tape measure
• Decorative curtain fabric
• Curtain lining fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron
• Needle

Instructions

1. Install a curtain pole or rod according to the manufacturer's directions. Measure from the top of the pole or rod to where you want the bottom of the curtain to fall. Add 6 inches for the hem and 4 inches for the header. Measure the width of the window and calculate 1 1/2 times that width plus 8 inches.

2. Cut two pieces of decorator curtain fabric, splitting the width you calculated between the two pieces. The length of your curtain lining will be 10 inches shorter than the length of the curtain fabric. The width of your curtain lining will be 4 inches less than the width of the curtain fabric. Cut the two pieces of lining.

3. Lay one piece of decorator fabric out face down on a table. Lay the lining down on top of the decorator fabric, also face down. Align one long edge of the decorator fabric with the corresponding edge of the lining. The fabric pieces are not equal. There should be 4 extra inches of decorator fabric on the other side, 4 extra inches at the top of the panel and 6 extra inches at the bottom.

4. Pin the decorator fabric to the lining on the edge where both fabrics are aligned. Use straight pins placed 3 inches apart perpendicular to the raw edges of the fabrics. Sew along this edge with a sewing machine, leaving a 1/2-inch between the seam and the edge. Pull the lining fabric across the decorator fabric panel so that the other long edges of the decorator fabric and the lining align. Pin this edge the same way you did the first. Stitch, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second panel.

5. Turn the fabrics inside out so the right sides of the fabrics face outward. Fold one long side so that 2 inches of curtain fabric are turned to the back (lining) side of the panel. This is why you cut curtain fabric for each panel 4 inches wider than the lining. Press with an iron. Repeat for the other long side of the panel. The front of each curtain panel is now curtain fabric. The back of the panel is the curtain lining with a 2-inch border of curtain fabric on each side. The bottom of the curtain fabric side of the panel is 6 inches longer than the lining. The lining fabric will not be included in the hem, since that would make the bottom of the curtain too bulky.

6. Fold up the bottom edge of the curtain panel 2 inches, bringing the curtain fabric to the back side of the panel. Press. Then fold up that edge 4 inches and secure with straight pins. Press and hem by hand. Repeat for the second panel.

7. Fold down the top edge of the curtain 1 inch, bringing the curtain fabric to the back side of the panel. Press. Fold that edge down 3 inches to make a channel for the curtain pole or rod. Press, pin and stitch. Do the same on the second panel. Thread the curtain pole through the channels in the curtain panels and hang the pole.

References

• Anna's Nest: How To Make Lined Curtains
• Thermal Insulated Curtains: How to Make Your Own Thermal Curtains at Home