How to Make Curtains - A Practical Guide

How to Make Curtains - A Practical Guide

Measuring:

Measure the curtain size by following the.

Calculating Fabric Quantities

Calculate the amount of main fabric required using the fabric calculation tool on the left. Ensure that you enter the correct fabric width and pattern repeat. Repeat the same process for the lining fabric. This time enter a pattern repeat value of 0cm.

There is a 25cm hemming allowance and a 3 cm vertical seam allowance used in the fabric quantity calculation.

Cutting Fabric

Cut the fabric to the required lengths i.e. the total length of the fabric divided by the number of widths. If there is an odd number of widths then cut one of the widths in half. Do the same for the lining material.

Sewing Curtains

• If more than 1 width is required, join widths together with a flat seam making sure to add any half widths at the outside edges.
• Reduce the overall width of the lining material by 10cm and the height by 8cm.
• Place the main fabric face up on a flat surface and the lining on top the right side facing downwards. Make sure the top of both pieces of fabric are aligned. If possible clamp the fabric to stop it moving.
• Tack the side edges of both fabrics. As the main fabric is wider than the lining fabric it will need to be folded under. Pin the side edges and then stitch down the sides of the material 10cm in from the edge, stopping 10cm from the bottom.
• Turn the curtains right side out. Centre the fabric and press the side hems. There will be 2.5cm of fabric folded round on each side edge.
• Fold over 1cm of the top edge of the curtain, press, and then fold another 4cm over to hide the raw edges.
• Knot the cords at one end of the heading tape, to the wrong side, and free them, to the right side, at the other end.
• Place the heading tape along the top edge, close to the fold, on the wrong side. Turn under 2.5cm at each end to neaten and pin. Make sure the free ends of the cord are at the outside edge of the curtain.
• Stitch the heading tape along both edges, through all thicknesses.
• Re measure the length of the curtains before creating the hem at the bottom of the curtain.
• Re measure the length of the curtains before creating the hem at the bottom of the curtain.
• Turn up a double 5cm hem at the bottom edge of the lining and stitch.
• Turn up a double 7.5cm hem at the bottom edge of the fabric and pin.
• With the right side of the main fabric facing down and the lining facing up, press your hems. Press the fabric at either side where you left 10cm open at the join between the fabric and lining on the curtain panel. Now slip-stitch the open edges together.
• Congratulations, your hand made curtains are now ready.