How to Make Rod Pocket Curtains

The clean, uncluttered lines of rod pocket curtains make them winning choices for almost any window, used alone or with another treatment. Valances and café curtains often have rod pockets for a decorative curtain rod or pole.

Supplies

•  Fabric (see measuring instructions to determine the amount)

•  Thread

General Instructions

Preshrink all fabrics before cutting if fabrics are washable and you intend to launder the curtains later. If you plan to dry clean the curtains, no pre-treatment is needed. Install the curtain rod and measure the window for either an inside or outside mounted curtain.

Use twice the window width measurement as the multiplier for the cut fabric width. This allows sufficient fullness and generous folds.

For a window treatment that opens in the middle, like a café curtain, divide the desired finished width by two to create separate panels. For a window treatment that doesn't open, like a valance, piece together fabric panels to the desired width.

Cutting Panels

To the desired finished panel width (including twice the fullness), add 4" to allow for double hems on each side.

To the desired finished panel length, add the following amounts: 3" for the header, the rod circumference + 1" for the rod pocket opening, 1/2" for finishing the casing, and 2" for the lower panel hem. Put more simply, add 6 1/2" plus the rod circumference.

A header is the amount of fabric extending above the rod itself forming a small ruffle

Once you've determined the cut panel sizes, figure the amount of yardage needed to make those sizes. It may be necessary to piece together multiple fabric pieces, depending on the panel and the fabric widths. Trim both fabric selvages to avoid puckering when stitching widths together. Join the fabric widths, matching any patterning needed; finish the seams, then cut the required panel sizes from the pieced fabric lengths.

Making the Curtain Panels

Press both sides of each panel 1" to the wrong side twice, forming a double hem. Repeat for the lower edge. Topstitch along the folded edges of each side first, and then repeat for the lower hem.

Press 1/2" to the wrong side along the curtain upper edge. Then press under the remaining amount determined above at the panel upper edge (rod pocket circumference, plus 4 "). Stitch along the lower folded edge. Stitch again 1 1/2" from the upper edge to create the rod pocket opening.

Insert the curtain rod through the casing, hang the curtain and distribute the fullness so the panel hangs evenly.