Well, interior decoration has taken the modern world by storm. Yes! The home décor is one of the most sought-after professions over the past decade.
But then it is also a reality that you do not have to be a professional to decorate your home. No! For example, you can try your hands on sewing the curtains at home.
Curtains, if appropriately selected, can change the entire outlook of your home. So, what are you waiting for? Read the article, and you will know how you can sew different kinds of curtains yourself.
HOW TO SEW SIMPLE CURTAINS?
Yes! We will start with the simplest to make it easy for you. So, here is how you can stitch simple curtains for your home.
Materials required:
- 5.2 Yards of fabric.
- Matching thread.
- Iron and ironing board.
- Sewing machine.
Cutting:
You should start by cutting the 5.2 yds of fabric in half from the width. As you have the two pieces of equal length, you will cut this fabric into two pieces and leave 2 pieces with a length of 99 inches.
Do leave the margin for shrinking. Now start with the selvage edges by pressing towards the wrong sides.
By using the hem as a guide, it is easy to fold the fabric. Now enclose the raw edges. You will fold over and press it again.
Fold the wrong sides.
Next, you will fold the cut edge to the wrong side by folding the 2.5 of fabric and press it. Repeat this procedure on another side across the width of the fabric. These folds will form the rod pocket.
Stitch along the sides.
When you are stitching along the sides, open the top and bottom folds. Now stitch the long sides. Make sure that a significant portion of fabric does not accumulate on the sides of the machine.
Fold the edges.
In the last step, fold the top and bottom edges along the creases. Now use the folded edge in stitching as a guide. With accurate measurements, you can have a nice look on the top and bottom.
HOW TO SEW LINED CURTAINS?
You won’t believe how easy is the procedure of stitching your DIY custom-lined curtains if you follow these steps carefully.
Materials:
- The perfect curtain fabric.
- Matching colored lining.
- Ribbon for back tabs.
- Grommets or curtain rings.
Step 1: Cutting of fabric is the key.
Measure the length of the curtain panel, keeping 10 inches more. This will be the extra cloth with you for hemming and to attach to the lining. Cut the fabric of the length you want.
You need to take the measurements carefully, as it will be the key to success here. You can pick the type of fabric and color according to the scheme of your interior and furniture.
Step 2: Cut the lining.
Who doesn’t like the perfect blackout lining to avoid the sunny rays coming into their room! So, you may go for a soft fabric for the purpose. It not only blocks the light but also has a beautiful texture.
With the finished panels, add 2.5 to your lining fabric. The width of your lining fabric should be less than the actual fabric.
Cutting with proper measurements and gathering all the things in one place is the actual and time-consuming task.
Step 3: Hemm the bottom of the curtain and lining fabric.
Now take the curtain and lining fabric bottoms and fold them to 4 inches to make a crease. Finally, make a quick stitch of about ¼ inch from the top to the length of each panel that will end to the bottom of the panel.
Step 4: Attach the lining to the curtain fabric.
Now lay your curtain fabric by placing the lining fabric on the wrong side. You will notice that the sides of both your fabrics do not match, so to make them match, pin it, and stitch it along its length with ¼ seam.
Step 5: Turning the right side out.
Finally, tuck the corner of the curtain fabric and make a quick run along its length. Iron the whole curtain to make a good look and then turn its wrong side out and the right side in.
Sew the ribbons at the sides, put the curtain rings in the rod, hang your curtains and you are done.
HOW TO SEW ROD POCKET CURTAINS?
Rod pocket curtains are the simplest stitch yet beautiful and elegant way to treat your windows elegantly. There are only 4 steps given to make the rod pocket curtains very easily.
Materials.
- Drapery fabric.
- Ruler.
- Scissors.
- Thread, pins.
- Iron
- Sewing machine.
Step 1 – Cutting of the fabric.
Cut your fabric according to your dimensions of windows, but do not forget to add 12 inches to the length and 4 inches to the width for hems and allowances.
Step 2 – Sew the curtain panel sides.
Fold the edges of the fabric to an inch and iron it. Now again, fold it and press it before you start doing the hems. Using a backstitch sew the length of the fabric and secure the ends of hems. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the fabric too.
Step 3 – Prepare the hemmed top.
At the top hem, you will insert the curtain rod. For this, we will use a hem of 3 inches right. Now fold it 3 inches in width before ironing it. To make the pocket away from the edge, sew along the bottom crease about an inch.
You can add a header to your curtain to give it the illusion of extra height. So, sew an inch from the top of the panel to create a header of 1 inch.
Step 4 – Sew the bottom hem.
Now hang your curtain to check how long or short it is. You will use the same procedure as we did for the top hem, which is the 3 inches double fold. From the crease, sew down the width of the panel about to quarter an inch.
HOW TO SEW PLEATED CURTAINS?
The pleated curtains, as the name shows, have pleats in them. The pleats make them look beautiful and elegant. There are many types of pleats like Goblet pleats, Box and French pleats. We will tell you how to sew goblet pleats curtains.
Measuring the window and the fabric:
Please measure the length of windows and the fabric and add 4 inches to it for extra use. The fabric should not be so delicate you won’t be able to make pleats on them. The width of the fabric should be 3 inches greater than the window’s width.
Make the hems at the top and bottom:
At the top and bottom of the fabric, make a one-inch hem.
Placing of pleats:
Mark 2 inches on the fabric at the edge. This will be the place for your first pleat. Now divide the remaining width of fabric by knowing how many wrinkles you want in this.
Measure the gap and mark them. Place two fingers under the fabric to make a cup. Pinch the fabric together under the cup, forming three pleats secured with the pins.
Now the cup with some filling so that it could retain its shape. This would be the goblet of your pleat.
Sewing of pleats:
Remove the pins and sew the pleats with sewing machine. Suppose you are confident that with pins attached, you can do it without replacing them. Here you have successfully made your pleated curtains at home.
HOW TO SEW SHEER CURTAINS?
Sheer curtains give the touch of elegance to your rooms as they are of chiffon, organza, silk. However, it is difficult to manage all these types of fabrics as they are silky slippery, unruly, and can easily be damaged while sewing.
But then, you have to do it if you want to have that priceless outlook of your home with a bit more effort and handwork. So, now you can start with the following steps:
Cutting.
Luckily there are no cuts and patterns in the sheer curtains. However, it is a bit tricky to handle light fabrics because of their texture, but you can do it.
Place the fabric in between two layers of tissue paper. By pinning it, make cuts with the scissors. You can also attach the fabric to the cardboard with the pins and cut it with the roller.
Pinup the fabric.
You may also use fine silk pins close to each other to control the fabric to avoid damaging fabric. The pins might be sharp, so you need to be careful while placing them.
Stitching.
If you want to have the perfect sheer curtains, you need to bear in mind 3 things. Yes, always use new sharp needles, make tiny stitches and choose the excellent thread.
For that matter, the best size for you is a 70/10 needle, but if you notice the pushing of the needle, you might go for another one. With the fine cotton thread, set the machine at about 15 stitches per inch.
To avoid slipping, you can hold the fabric behind the needle with the single hole throat pleat and straight foot.
Using stabilizers.
For delicate fabrics like chiffon and organza, it is good to use a stabilizer that can easily be removed and washed when you finish your stitching. For that matter, you may use tissue paper at the start of your work to avoid snagging.
CONCLUSION.
So, considering the importance of curtains, when it comes to home décor, you need to have the best for you. There is nothing like creating them in your favorite fabric and color scheme right at your home.
This means no more waiting for the tailor or looking for the ready-made variety. All you have to do is follow the easy steps and enjoy your DIY curtains.
Your aesthetic sense will not need extra money but only your efforts. So, go ahead and give it a try for yourself.
Taisha personally working at home in sewing, embroidery machine & Others. She created this blog to share her experience.