How to Make Window Curtains

If you are looking for a new set of curtains, and don’t want to spend a lot of money. Look in your closet, cabinet, anywhere that you keep your old flat sheets for your bed. Or go to your local craft store Like Joann Fabrics or Hobby Lobby, and pick up some fabric you think will work for what you need. I will show you a fun fast way to make two new curtains for a window.

All you need is:

• 1 or 2 King Size Flat sheets (make sure you don’t need them anymore, because once you cut it, there is no going back) or Store-Bought Fabric.
• Sewing Machine
• Like Color Thread to match your sheets
• Fabric Tape
• Needles
• Scissors
• Iron
• Towels/Flat Area or Ironing Board
• Measuring Tape
• 2 Clothes Pins
• 1 Safety Pin

Step One: Take your flat sheet and lay it out as flat and straight as you can get it. It’s best to use a few towels use the sheet to hold it in place. Once you get it flat, use the Iron on a Dry/Steam setting, and iron out all the winkles. After you get the sheet Iron Smooth let it cool down for a few minutes.

Step Two: As the sheet is cooling, measuring the height of your window form top of the trim to the the down of the trim under the window sill. Take that measurement and add up to 12 inches more than what the height of the window is. Once the sheet is cool, take the measuring tape and measuring the Length and Width. WRITE IT DOWN! Sometimes you will forget that measurement. Now here is the part that you need to decide if you want a Single Panel or a Double Panel. A single panel is when you cut the sheet in half and sew up the bottom and make the pocket for the rode. A double panel is when you fold the sheet in half (no cutting) and sew up the button, sides and make the pocket for the rode.

Step Three: After you decide what kind of panels you want, it’s time to start cutting!

• Single Panel: (Note if you are using a sheet the sides are sewn up. If using a store-bought fabric, fold all four of the sides over about 1/2 inch, pin up, and run a fast straight stitch in the middle. Don’t worry about back stitching here.)

1. For single panels cut the length of the window plus the 12 inches on your sheet.
2. Make the cut as straight as you can. If it’s not that straight no worries, you can hide it later.
3. Repeat the same measurement and cut on the other panel.
4. Once you have both panels cut take one of them over to your window along with the needles, measuring tape, and clothes pins.
5. With the Curtain Rode on the hooks take your sheet, and drape it over the rode so there’s about 4 inches over the backside of the rode.
6. Take the Clothes Pins, pinning the 4 inch over hang to the full panel.
7. Now take the measuring tape and make sure the back over hang is the right length.
8. Repeat with the other panel.
9. Take the whole rode off the hooks once you have the panels measured, and remove them.
10. Now turn the curtain over, measure form the top of the fold down 1 1/2 inches at the middle, and pin.
11. Form the needle move the tape over to either left or right about 4 fingers length a crossed and repeat pinning until that needle row is fully pinned.
12. Make sure all the needles heads are pointing the same way to make sewing easier.
13. Now form the needle in the middle measure down 1 1/2 inches again and pin it up.
14. Repeat the Steps 10 to 12 for the second row and remove the Clothes Pins.
15. Now continue the Steps 10 to 13 for the other curtain.
16. Make sure there is about 1 inch under the second row of needle for overhang.
17. Time to sew the rows. Change the needle thread and bobber to match the color of the panels.
18. Take the first needle at the far end of the panel (Needle Heads Facing You), place it under the Presser Foot on the sewing machine, and remove the needle.
19. Start with a Back Stitch and continue front on the row, removing the needles as you get close to them until you reach the last needle, and Back Stitch again.
20. Repeat Steps 17 and 19 for the second row.
21. Sewing up the second curtain using Steps 17 to 20.
22. Now you have two pockets at the top of the curtain. Run a short stitch at both ends on the top pocket to seal it up.
23. Now for the bottom. Measure up 2 inches and put one pin in the middle and each step to hold it in place.
24. Take the fabric tap and pin the Safety Pin to one end of it. Run the tape at the middle of the fold. Leave about 2 inches overhang on either side.
25. Take the Iron on the Dry/Steam setting and iron the fold where the tape it at.
26. Once cool take and remove the pins.
27. Sew two rows around the tape as straight as you can.
28. Cut the tape ends off.
29. Repeat Steps 23 to 28 for the other panel bottom.
30. Put the curtains on the rode and rehang on the hooks and Enjoy your new curtains!

 

• Double Panel: (Note if you are using a sheet the sides are sewn up. If using a store-bought fabric, fold all four of the sides over about 1/2 inch, pin up, and run a fast straight stitch in the middle. Don’t worry about back stitching here.) This one is easier than the Single Panel one.

1. Measuring the panel to window length plus 10 inches.
2. Cut both panels and fold up the cut end about 1/2 and run a straight stitch along the middle of it.
3. Take one of the panels and fold them in half longways.
4. Line up the bottoms of the panel and pin together (Needle Heads Facing You).
5. Now move to the top of the panel, Clothes Pin the sides together, and Repeat Single Panel Steps 10 to 22.
6. Once both Curtains are sewn up at the top now it’s onto the bottom again.
7. Fold both bottom pieces up into the middle of the panels, measure up about 1 inch and pin the middle of the the panel.
8. Put a pin every 4 finger length a crossed until panel is fully pinned.
9. Sew up the needle row using Single Panel Steps 17 to 21. (NO FABRIC TAPE NEEDED)
10. Repeat sewing for Second Curtain.
11. Hang Curtains on the rode and Enjoy a Room Darkening Look.

Step Four: After you have the curtains made, it is time to wash them. Hand washing is good for the first time if the fabric is little. If it is a heavier fabric Cold Wash Machine on a Gentle Cycle. Air Dry the curtains so the heat will be melt the thread.

So there you have a fun and fast way to make new curtains. How to Make Curtains, Decor It Yourself is another way to make fun, fast curtain with a creative flare. So take your time, read the steps, and if you can make them faster and easier all the better! Have Fun and Happy Crafting.