This article will cover everything about sewing curtains. From measuring and lining to making the perfect pleats, and even that crucial ‘drop.' You can't beat new curtains for a quick refresh of a room. And sewing your own curtains is easy. You can pick the right fabric for your room when you make your curtains. You'll spend more time choosing the fabric than making the curtains.
The method is easy, but you won't gain speed for the very first time. So, believe in perfection rather than speed.
Curtains probably seem really tricky, but they are easy to sew!
When you stop and think about it, curtains have straight seams. If you can use a tape measure to measure the length of your curtains, you can sew straight lines. The key to successful curtain making is accurate measuring and precise cutting. Curtains can be as complex or simple as you wish. Start simple with a plain material, and work your way up as you gain confidence.
How to save cash when sewing a pair of curtains
First, keep an eye out for sales and specials (like this one from Terry's). Plain fabrics are easier to match than fabric with large motifs and repeated patterns. To match the prints on separate curtains panels, you will need extra fabric. To make additional calculations, it's a good idea for you to bring your window measurements to the fabric shop. Tab top curtains are the easiest and most cost-effective. Tab top panels don't require as much fabric to gather, so they take up less fabric than a pair of header tapes.
Top tips for making curtains
Here are our top tips for making traditional lined curtains with a tape-top.
Measurements of Sewing Curtains
The most important aspect of curtain-making is sizing and measuring. You want your curtains to look perfect. The final appearance you want to achieve will determine the measurements you need. A pencil, a notepad, and a tape measure are also necessary. This is how you do it.
The Width Measurements
This measurement for curtains that will sit on poles or run on tracks will be taken from the wall around the window. The track or pole is typically 10cm longer than each window. This is to allow for the fabric volume when curtains are pulled open. This track or pole will typically be about 10cm above your window for symmetry. The length of the track, or the pole's position, is 10cm on each side and 10cm above your window.
LENGTH Measure
the length of the tape along the top of the track (or the location where the track will be placed) and measure the position in which the lower edge of your curtain should fall on the floor or just below the windowsill. For this method, we prefer singer sewing machines 4423.
CALCULATIONS OF THE FABRIC
Start with the width measurement. Add 2.5 cm to each side for hems. If you have two curtains, this will be added to each of the panels. Add 5cm-8cm for the upper section, which will be attached to the heading tape, and 15cm for the lower hem. It is important that your fabric is flat when cutting. Be careful not to stretch the fabric while you are working.
Want pleats? French or pencil pleats: Your fabric width should be at least two-and-a-half to three times the measured width. You will need to increase the drop by 20cm for French pleats.
LINING – A lining will provide better insulation against noise and light. Calculations for lining fabrics also start with the measurements. Add 5cm to each section and 15cm for the lower. To ensure that the lining fits neatly on the back of your curtain, the width of the fabric should be between 2-5 cm and 15cm. Repeat the process for each panel if you make multiple curtain panels.
ATTACH THE LINING – Place your lining on top of the fabric, with the right sides facing. Pin one of the sides together. Attach the two sides together using a 2.5 cm seam allowance.
Continue with the second side. You will find that the lining fabric is thinner than the curtain fabric. Therefore, you need to draw the lining fabric in a diagonal line across the main fabric's second raw edge. After the lining is secured on both sides, press gently. To prevent the lining from rolling around and being visible at the front of curtains when they are hung, there will be a narrow band of main fabric on each side of the curtains.
Three curtain tutorials to try
Kelly from ‘View Along the Way' shows you how to make a pair of curtains like this. These curtains look amazing, and she shares a great way to create the tabs at their backs using wide bias tape. You can see the many comments on her post to see how much people loved this fun and detailed tutorial. Most importantly, you’ll encounter a lot of sewing related info if you visit brother lx3817 reviews to know how this model brings the most impressive results.
Tab top curtains can be the easiest curtains to make for beginners. Amanda, from the UK's renowned dressmaking blog “KitchyCoo,” says about her tab top curtain tutorial: “It will take more time to calculate the measurements than making the actual curtains!” Although Amanda does not show the steps as she has already sewn the curtains, she does describe the process so that even someone who is just starting to sew can follow the instructions.
Blogger Gina makes sewing curtains easier than making tab top curtains. She shows you how to make a neat curtain finish by simply sewing two rectangles to add clips. Make sure you press your curtains properly to make them look their best. This is a very simple tutorial. Follow Love Sewing Magazine's board Sewing Curtains and Blinds Pinterest.
