Balloon curtains are a nice addition to most any room but it’s challenging to find them in stores. Many people that sew don’t take on the challenge of balloon curtains because they think the curtains will be difficult to make. It takes some effort to make the curtains but they are relatively easy to make.
Start by measuring your window from rod to desired length, then write down the measurement after adding 5″ for rod pocket and 5″ more for hemming. To make the curtains full, width-wise, double the width measurement. Extra full curtains – triple the width measurement.
Cut the number of panels needed to achieve the desired fullness of the curtains. Cut panels in even numbers: 2 panels, 4 panels, etc. After cutting the panels, set them aside temporarily. Cut a second set of panels but do not add the 5″ on for rod pocket or 5″ for the hem. Instead, cut the length four and a half inches shorter than the original length of the panels. The width will be cut the same as the first set.
Make your rod pockets by folding fabric over, along the top edge, a half-inch, then make another fold of four and a half inches. Stitch. Do this with each piece of the first set of panels. Do not hem bottom or side seams.
Align the panels, with right sides together, and get ready to hem. Each panel should consist of one long piece and one short piece. Align the hems, which will make one panel much shorter than the other at the top. Hem across the bottom of both pieces. Now do this to each set of panels.
You should now have sets of panels (or just a pair of curtains), with hems stitched together. Pin the sides of the long and short panel together and stitch, right sides together. Now turn them to where the stitches cannot be seen, with wrong sides facing each other. Pull the top edge of the shorter curtain up to the top edge of the long curtain. Doing this makes the curtain balloon out for the look you’re wanting.
Moving the short curtain edge to the top curtain edge gives you a couple of choices. If you want the curtain to really balloon out and you don’t care that it will cause the curtain to be slightly shorter than you originally intended, scoot the short curtain edge all the way to the top of the long curtain edge. Fold over a half-inch then stitch all the way across – a quarter-inch below the edge of the fold.
If you’d rather the curtain balloon out, but not too much, and you’re satisfied with the length you cut, pull the top edge of the short curtain to the stitches at the bottom of the rod pocket. Pin the short curtain edge under a half-inch and stitch it next to the rod pocket stitch. Make sure there is a quarter to a half-inch of space between the two hems. When finished, and looking at the front side of the balloon curtain, you should see two stitch lines, nearly side-by-side, with a small gap in between. It’s very important that you get the two lines evenly distanced since they will be seen.
To make matching ballooning valances cut one valance piece the width of the original measurements for the curtain panels (doubled or tripled, depending upon desired fullness). Cut the valance to be approximately 15″ from rod to hem (shorter if you’re doing a short window). Cut a second piece the same width size, but by only 10″.
Place the two pieces right sides together, then stitch across the hem. Hem up one side of the valance and leave the other side open. For the open side use velcro to secure. Fold side hem over, in that area, then stitch on the velcro pieces. This allows an opening to stuff with newspaper or something else, and to give the valance a fuller look.
Pull the edge of the short curtain up to the edge of the rod pocket. Stitch, making sure you keep the stitches evenly spaced from the first set of stitches that form the rod pocket. Use a separate rod to place the valance. The valance can be stuffed with paper, lightweight cloth, paper towels, or other choices. Remove stuffing before laundering the valances.
Reference:
- Purchase curtain rods online: www.curtainrods.com Window finials: www.rentaldecorating.com/1202rodsandfinials.htm
