People usually purchase curtains from upholstery shops and miss out on some or the other characteristics like good design or quality. They have to select from a limited range and consequently have to compromise on a few essential features of curtains. If only people would follow the instructions for making curtains, they will know how to sew curtains without any professional knowledge about it.
When you go to buy curtains, often you do fall in a dilemma about which one to choose, since you may end up liking the fabric of one, whereas the pattern of another. You intensely wish to have all the best features in a single curtain. Well, there is only one person who can fulfill your wish; and that person is none other than you yourself! You only need to know how to sew the curtains and you will know it if you follow the below given instructions for making curtains.
How to Sew Curtains
Instructions for making easy sew curtains are extremely simple. Any person with basic knowledge of needle work can make good quality curtains in no time. It is always considered wise to take the window measurements with you, while you are going to choose the fabrics for your curtains. Using a measuring tape, measure and note the height and width of the window frame end-to-end. You can also utilize old clothes to make colorful curtains by doing some patchwork. Have a rough sketch in your mind about how you want the final look to be, so that the fabric can be chosen and sewn accordingly.
Step 1: After you decide on a pattern for your curtain, mark the point from where the cutting has to be done with a marker. Use a light marker, in case you need to make changes in the markings.
Step 2: For sewing curtains for French doors or French windows, the curtains will open in the middle, so cut the fabric in two equal measure pieces. While cutting, keep in mind to leave an inch or two space extra along the edges for the hems. If it is a normal door or window, let the fabric material be whole, as it is.
Step 3: If you want to sew a lining at the back to make the curtains thick, cut the lining material of the same length as that of the curtain pieces and pin them together with their plain or non-printed sides facing each other. If you do not want linings for your curtains, skip this and follow the next step.
Step 4: Now machine-sew the two materials together at the border on a sewing machine, very close to the edges.
Step 5: Fold the edges at least half inch backwards (towards the non-printed side) along three sides and hem sew it on the sewing machine, keeping one short side unstitched. If you want to add drapery weights at the lower end of the curtain, then leave the other short side unstitched as well.
Step 6: Now depending on the curtain rod you have, you can have hooks for your curtains or you can make a continuous loop by folding the top portion of the curtain backwards and sewing it. However, prior to stitching, roll the top part of the curtain around the rod and make the markings so that the rod can slide in it easily.
Step 7: If you want hooks for the curtains, there are two alternatives; one of ready-made hooks and other of the hooks made from curtain cloth by using buttons. Ready-made plastic or steel hooks are available in the market. For buttons hooks, go to next step.
Step 8: For this, you may need extra fabric material for cutting out the straps from it. Cut equal-sized straps. The number of straps will depend on the width of the curtains. Sew buttons at one end of it. Now sew these straps on the non-printed side of the curtain at equal intervals.
Step 9: Make buttonholes at the top edge of the curtain according to the size of the straps and dimensions of the buttons. By adjusting the position of the buttonholes, you can adjust the height of the curtain from the ground.
Step 10: When stitching the bottom end, sew the drapery weights on the non-printed side, very close to the edge. After sewing the weights throughout the length, fold the lower edge backwards and sew it appropriately.
For shower enclosures like making shower curtains, the procedure is the same as above with the exception of step 3 and step 4. Also, you will have to select a plastic fabric for the curtains. Your beautiful home-sewn curtains will be ready within one day, if the instructions for making curtains are followed and everything is done systematically. You can decorate your house with beautiful curtains once you know how to sew curtains.
