A Steno Pad for My Thoughts
Blah, Blah, Blah. Connect the dots. This blog is now an archive only. No new entries will be posted, please visit our new blog here.Sew no see-thru curtains.
I feel quite strongly that curtains need to be lined. It gives your curtains extra body, blocks more light, saves energy and gives your windows a uniform look from the outside. All right, Melissa, this is for you. How do you do it?
I will assume you have measured your drapery fabric already. Let me just say that it’s true, two full fabric widths per window is always better than having to cut a width of fabric into two drapery panels, most especially if the curtains are functional and will be pulled across the rod to close up the window.
1. Lay out one curtain panel cut to the length you need for your window. I usually end up doing this on the floor. (Generally, the length of your curtain needs to be at least 4″ longer than your window, depending on what seam allowances + hem sizes you’ll sew.) Cut the lining fabric to size by cutting the width about 1″ less on both sides than your drapery panel. So your lining should be 2″ less than the width of your curtain fabric. The length should be 2″ less, as well.
2. Next, hem the bottom of both your lining fabric and drapery panels. (Shown above.) I fold up 1/4″ on the lining bottom, then fold up another 1″ so you’ll have a finished hem on the bottom.
For the drapery, I usually use some 1″ natural or white twill tape as a way to get a larger hem without using up valuable much more expensive drapery fabric. That way I can save a few inches of fabric and over several windows save myself the cost of 1/2 yard of fabric or so.
To do this, first sew on the twill tape 1/4″ on the bottom front of the drapery panel. Then fold up the bottom 1″ and sew along the top edge of the twill tape.
After you have hemmed both the lining and drapery panel you will lay the lining on top of the drapery panel so that the lining hem is facing the wrongside of the drapery panel and so that the bottom edge is 1″ above the bottom of the drapery panel.
You will then pin the sides of the panels together by folding over about 3/4″ on each side.
The trickiest part is getting the fabric to lay smooth and flat while you are pinning them together. If you have a large dining room table, you’re in business. But for me, I lay mine across the kitchen table and let the excess hang off the side. I continue to move the curtain panel across the table while I pin the sides. This ensures your panels will be smooth and wrinkle/kink free. (You also get some built in wiggle room by keeping the bottom edges hanging free.)
And when you’ve sewn up the sides, just fold over the top edge about an 1″ or 2″ and finish it off. As for the lining itself, I generally buy it from Ebay or locally if my local fabric store is having a sale. Generally, the white cotton lining is about $2-3 per yard and block out lining (which I use in the bedroom) you can get for about $4 per yard. The fabric I used to make the drapes was from Reprodepot (but it is sold out in this colorway, others here and here).
Entry Filed under: sewing, step-by-step
11 Comments Add your own
1. melissa f. | October 23rd, 2007 at 5:24 pm
this is perfect. specifically the laying over the table (duh) which would help me a lot more than the floor, and the hemming THEN putting them in the sides. thank you thank you.
oh, and the cards you sent with the last order have been pawed and loved– i gave one to mariko and it was hard to do.
2. La C. | October 24th, 2007 at 5:39 am
Thank you so much for this. I just thought you should know that you have inspired me to get my first sewing machine for my birthday. I’m so excited and ansy to get started I feel like I could puke.
3. La C. | October 24th, 2007 at 5:40 am
Oh BTW, the curtains look great!
4. Sarah | October 26th, 2007 at 9:01 am
This is a really awesome tutorial. Thank you. And I’m glad to know there’s such a thing as block-out lining. I have a light-sensitive fiance!
5. Lauren | October 29th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
How timely… I really needed to know how to do this. It’s like you knew it was my birthday only you didn’t.
6. Willawill | November 5th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Thank you! I recently de-constructed a pair of 15-year-old curtains and now I can put them back together in a fresh, new way!
7. adrienne | June 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Thanks for the tutorial. Now this may be a stupid question, but if I’m reading correctly, the bottom edges of the lining and the panel never get sewn together? Is that correct? Thanks again…
8. sarah | June 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
That’s correct! They are not sewn together which helps them hang free and not get wrinkled or saggy at the bottom.
9. Anne | March 23rd, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Awesome tutorial!!! Thank you for sharing it. I’ve had fabric for months to do some panels in 3 rooms of my house, but have been afraid to start on them because I wasn’t sure how to do the hem. Well now I know how!
10. lynn | June 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
This has helped me so much. I’ve been so confused about the hemming and how to stich the bottom and now know I don’t!!! Thank you.
11. Shannon | March 12th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve made plenty of other things before, but never curtains. Instructions on other sites - even ones with pictures - weren’t helpful for me until I found yours. THANK YOU!
I'm curious about your two cents. You smart cookie!
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