How to Make Curtains

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Learn how to make curtains with this easy sewing tutorial. Curtains are a great beginner sewing project because it’s only straight lines!

One of the best parts about sewing is being able to make exactly what you want. I have been changing decor around and painting walls, and so I was ready for new curtains in our living area. I had made the curtains for these windows originally, but it had been several years and I was ready for a change.

I was able to do a little bit of math, find the exact fabric I wanted, and make curtains. I love making curtains because even though it’s a lot of fabric, it’s all straight lines!

how to make curtains

I have always loved stripes and plaid and was deciding between the two for these curtains. I didn’t want to go too nautical or too farmhouse, so I think these simples gingham curtains are an in between sweet spot.

What fabric should I use to make curtains?

Curtains can be made from virtually any fabric. As long as it can be sewn on a home sewing machine and it’s not too heavy, it can be made into curtains.

Cotton is easy to find and easy to sew. It doesn’t block light but it’s lightweight. Linen and lace are beautiful and sophisticated for curtains. There’s also canvas or velvet that make heavy curtains, but would be a lot better at blocking light.

How to Make Curtains

Do you love to sew? Try one of these fun sewing projects:

How to Make Curtains

How to Measure for Curtains

Measure the height of your wall. My wall is 8 feet tall or 96 inches tall. Decide on the placement of the curtain rod. My curtain rod was 3 inches from the top so I subtracted 3 inches from 96 inches.

Measure around your rod to add fabric for the casing. For an average size rod adding 4.5 inches is a good amount. Decide if you want a tall or short hem. I decided on a tall hem and added 8 inches for a 4 inch double fold hem.

measure for curtains

Once you have your total, mine was 105.5 inches per curtain or almost 3 yards, I could order the right amount of fabric. I wanted to use the full width of the fabric for each curtain panel. I ordered 3 yards for each curtain panel I was going to make.

How to Make Curtains

Supplies

  • About 3 yards of fabric per fabric panel
  • Yardstick
  • Fabric scissors
  • Sewing machine
curtain fabric and yardstick

Cut or rip one raw edge of the fabric, not the selvedge edge, to be on the straight grain. Since I had a plaid fabric I could cut along one of the lines.

If I were using a print or a solid, I would have cut into the selvedge 1 inch on one side and ripped it all the way across the raw edge to get an edge on the crossgrain of the fabric.

trim fabric so it's on the grain

Using your previously decided measurements, measure and cut each curtain panel. I would measure down 105.5 inches from the ripped edge and rip a new straight edge.

cut curtain panel

Fold the long sides in 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch and pin and press. Sew this hem in place.

Do the same to the other long side.

hem each side of curtain panel

Fold the top ripped edge down 1/2 inch and then fold 4 inches. Pin and press in place.

Sew the casing in place 1/8 inch from the folded edge. Backstitch when you start and when you stop.

sew tube for curtain rod

Fold the bottom ripped edge up 4 inches and then fold another 4 inches. Pin and press in place.

Sew the hem in place 1/8 inch from the folded edge. Backstitch when you start and when you stop.

sew large hem

Install the curtain rods on your walls and then hang the curtain panels up. You finished!

How to Make Curtains
How to Make Curtains

How to Make Curtains

Yield: 1 Curtain Panel
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $50

Learn how to make curtains with this easy sewing tutorial. Curtains are a great beginner sewing project because it's only straight lines!

Materials

  • About 3 yards of fabric per fabric panel

Tools

  • Yardstick
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Sewing Machine

Instructions

How to Measure for Curtains

  1. Measure the height of your wall. My wall is 8 feet tall or 96 inches tall. Decide on the placement of the curtain rod. My curtain rod was 3 inches from the top so I subtracted 3 inches from 96 inches.
  2. Measure around your rod to add fabric for the casing. For an average size rod adding 4.5 inches is a good amount. Decide if you want a tall or short hem. I decided on a tall hem and added 8 inches for a 4 inch double fold hem.
  3. Once you have your total, mine was 105.5 inches per curtain or almost 3 yards, I could order the right amount of fabric. I wanted to use the full width of the fabric for each curtain panel. I ordered 3 yards for each curtain panel I was going to make.

How to Make Curtains

  1. Cut or rip one raw edge of the fabric, not the selvedge edge, to be on the straight grain. Since I had a plaid fabric I could cut along one of the lines.
  2. If I were using a print or a solid, I would have cut into the selvedge 1 inch on one side and ripped it all the way across the raw edge to get an edge on the crossgrain of the fabric.
  3. Using your previously decided measurements, measure and cut each curtain panel. I would measure down 105.5 inches from the ripped edge and rip a new straight edge.
  4. Fold the long sides in 1/2 inch and then another 1/2 inch and pin and press. Sew this hem in place.
  5. Do the same to the other long side.
  6. Fold the top ripped edge down 1/2 inch and then fold 4 inches. Pin and press in place.
  7. Sew the casing in place 1/8 inch from the folded edge. Backstitch when you start and when you stop.
  8. Fold the bottom ripped edge up 4 inches and then fold another 4 inches. Pin and press in place.
  9. Sew the hem in place 1/8 inch from the folded edge. Backstitch when you start and when you stop.
  10. Install the curtain rods on your walls and then hang the curtain panels up. You finished!

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    How to Make Curtains
    heather sewing

    I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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