Homemade Window Curtains
If you have odd-size windows, it can be almost impossible to find curtains that look right while hanging in them. The solution to this problem is to make your own curtains. If you make simple, straight curtains, you do not need special sewing skills beyond the ability to sew a straight seam. Choose from many types of fabrics for your homemade curtains, from sheers to heavy drapery, depending on the needs of the room you want to hang them in and the curtain style you want. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Measure your windows to find out how much fabric you need. Measure across the window to get the width measurement for one panel. Measure from the curtain rod down to the length that you want the curtains to hang, and add 10 inches to allow for the rod casing and hemming.
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Double the amount of fabric you need for one curtain panel (you usually need two panels per window), and multiply that by the number of windows you have. Purchase the necessary amount of fabric.
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Transfer the necessary measurements to the fabric for your curtain panels by using chalk as a guideline for cutting. Cut out your curtain panels.
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Turn under the raw edges at the sides of the curtain. Use pins to hold in place. Sew down the sides of the curtain panel to create a hem.
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Lay one curtain panel out on a large, flat surface with the right side facing down. Fold down the top edge of the curtain 6 inches and fold under the raw edge 1/2 inch. Pin in place.
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Sew straight across the panel at the pinned raw edge, removing the pins as you go. Measure down from the top edge of the curtain 3 inches. Use the chalk to mark and sew across the mark to form the rod pocket casing.
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Hang the curtain in the window to double-check the length. Fold under the bottom edge of the curtain so that the curtain hangs down only as far as you like. Use pins to hold it in place.
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Sew across the bottom hem.
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Tips & Warnings
Cut out lining fabric for curtains that are not sheer. The lining adds an extra layer of warmth if you want heavy curtains, but also protects the fabric from fading. Cut the lining to the same size as the panel, but trim 3 inches off the length so that it will not show when hanging.
Use the same method to make a valance for your window. Just cut the length of the valance much shorter, so that it hangs down only about 1/3 of the total window.
References
Resources
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