Home decorating is a very personal endeavor, and no two people are going to have the same taste. That said, some basic rules should be followed when you're sewing your curtains. If your windows have blinds, you can learn more about how to hang curtains over blinds.
Previously, we have discussed how high to hang curtain rods on our site.
In this article, we're going to talk about a few of the steps you need to take to sew your curtains correctly – keep reading to learn more.
Pick out the fabric you want to use
Probably the most important thing you need to do when you're sewing your curtains is pick out a fabric that you like.
This doesn't just mean picking an appropriate pattern, either. It means picking a type of cloth that will look good in your home and something that will be durable enough for use as window coverings.
If the curtains are going to be exposed to sunlight, you should make sure they're made from a material (like linen) that can stand up to UV rays. They should also be properly lined so that they don't fade or develop abrasions over time.
You'll want to think about color as well—different colors have different levels of heat retention/loss, which makes them ideal for certain seasons.
You'll also want to consider the weight of the cloth. Make sure that you're not going to hang sheets or something else so flimsy that it will be constantly blowing in the wind. On the flip side, you don't want your curtains so thick that they block out sunlight completely—a balance between these extremes is what you need to aim for when selecting the fabric.
The pattern should complement your theme as well. If you're decorating a formal room, make sure that you pick out something appropriate (i.e., one with an elegant rather than casual pattern). Similarly, if your home is a bit more relaxed and casual, go with something in a softer design and color scheme.
Suffice it to say, you should spend a lot of time looking for the ideal fabric—this is what you're going to be living with, so it pays to get things right from the start. At this point, also consider what draperies you’re going to be using – this is a crucial step.
When you're choosing fabrics, you'll want to make sure they're washable and won't shrink too much so they still fit snugly around your window frames after being washed. You may also want to choose fabrics that will breathe easily since this will prevent condensation buildups near the bottom
Measure your window and cut the fabric accordingly
Once you've picked out your fabric, the next step is to measure your window. This may seem like common sense, but it's easy to forget this step if you're getting distracted by all the other steps involved in sewing curtains.
Now that you have some material and a good idea of what pattern and color scheme you want to use, here are a few things you should measure before cutting:
1) The width of the inside of your window
2) The height of the inside of your window plus where it hits the ceiling
3) The actual length from peak to base on each side.
At this point, make sure that everything has been measured correctly—this is when mistakes can be fixed most easily since all alterations done now will affect all remaining curtains.
Mark out for individual panels
After you've measured the components of your window, cut off two pieces that match each dimension and then mark out where the panel should be sewn together. You'll want to draft a template so that it can be duplicated as necessary for other windows in your home.
Before sewing, however, you can start to lay out the pattern for your curtains.
You'll want to make sure that you cut a piece of paper and pin it onto the fabric so that you can “paint” on the appropriate design. You can use markers or pencils to do this—it's really up to you. Sometimes it might be easier to mark it on first if you're using a dark color for your wall.
Sew together your curtains with a sewing machine or by hand
Depending on what type of project you would like to do, there are several different ways to go about sewing together your curtains. For most cases, however, it's recommended that you use a sewing machine since this will make the process much easier and more efficient.
If you're only making one or two panels for a specific window, then you may want to hand-sew them together. This is fine, but if so you need to be careful with your stitching since seams can easily rip open if they're not done properly—a professional-looking job needs a professional seamstress.
Once everything has been pieced together (again depending on what project you're doing), iron out any wrinkles in the fabric—you'll want things nice and smooth at this point. Not only will it look better, but it'll make the sewing process much simpler and easier as well.
Hang up your new curtains.
This is by far the most exciting part of any curtain project—getting to see your curtains up on the wall. After everything has been assembled, all that's left is to hang them (you might also want to hang your curtains without drilling). To do this you'll need to measure how high off the floor each panel should be suspended and mark out where it should be attached (i.e., nail holes with a hammer or metal brackets via drilling).
Once everything has been hung up in its appropriate place, try moving around behind it so you can see if any adjustments need to be made. You may also want to check if there are any small hanging details that users might trip over or get caught on (i.e., ties, buckles, clips). If anything looks out of place, then you can make adjustments before everything is said and done.
You may also want to sew up a few hooks or rings along the top so that they can be used as tie-backs. This will let you control how much light comes into a room without having to open or close all of the panels altogether.
Is it hard to sew curtains?
Sewing curtains is not at all difficult if you know how to do it. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind if you want to ensure that your project comes out with the best results possible.
Most importantly, simply take your time when sewing—it's always better to go too slowly than too fast so that everything turns out perfect. If you don't finish one day, it doesn't hurt to rest a little bit and come back for more later on.
Also, make sure that your tension is perfect every step of the way since that can be what makes or breaks a sewing project. Shooting for fewer stitches per inch will usually give you much better results than zig-zagging around in large loops.
If you want to dive into this project a little bit deeper, then you should know that there are many different types of needles and threads for sewing curtains—each with its advantages and disadvantages. One of the most popular options is cotton thread since it's meant to keep things secure without getting caught on anything when drawn through the fabric. There are also other options like silk or polyester if you're looking for something a little bit more high-quality than basic thread at your local store.
Things to look out for before starting your project
One of the most important things to verify is whether or not all of your materials will work well together when combined into one piece—you don't want them to look awful at the end of everything, do you?
This comes down to being sure that all of your materials are similar in color and texture. If not, then you will want to choose the lightest fabric as the top layer since it will be what ends up showing most prominently. This is known as “up-cycling” and can make for a very unique product.
Another thing that may come into play is pattern matching—you wouldn't want stripes and checks to end up looking like they're inside out when put together. Depending on how large your project is, you may want to buy some tape and mark off where each panel should go before actually sewing it all together. That way you won't have any problems about how it should be put together.
How do I calculate how much fabric I need for curtains?
There are many different ways that people go about doing this and everyone has their preferences—some like to measure each panel individually while others try out a bunch of different shapes for the same amount of material until they find something they like. In all honesty, the best thing that users can look for here is the differences in size between various parts of the same curtain.
What should I consider when choosing the length of my curtains?
In most cases, you will want to choose a length that goes past the window opening by about 6 inches (15 cm). This is simply so that users can pull them all the way across and still be able to see everything in the backside without having to move anything out of their way.
However, some people prefer to have their curtains stop around 4 or 5 inches short of reaching this point to create more wiggle room at the bottom. It's really up to you—it all depends on what looks better with your particular decor.
Is it cheaper to make your curtains?
Of course. When was the last time you saw a curtain panel at the store that cost less than $50? Therefore, the answer is yes, it is indeed cheaper to make your own curtains.
Is it easy to make blackout curtains?
Yes. It's a very simple process, but it must be done correctly so that users can use their new panels in the way for which they were intended.
That said, black-out curtains are all about blocking out light and keeping your home from becoming too hot during warm months and too cold during cooler ones—that means that everything has to fit precisely when sewn together or else not much will work right.
Basically, what all of this boils down to, is being sure that each panel is cut out exactly right before sewing them together with other materials. If there's the slightest difference then you will have a problem, so don't rush the process.
What about pleats?
When sewing your curtains, users may find that they like to create pretty pleat designs to add some decoration to their finished product. There are many different ways to accomplish this task and it all comes down to preference.
How do I make my curtains look more professional?
If you want to go for style points with your new creations, then you'll probably want to consider adding additional decorations beyond just choosing the right fabric combination. This could mean anything from adding lace along the edges of each curtain panel or even some sparkling sequins to the very center of each one.
Final thoughts on how to use a toaster oven
In conclusion, there are many things that you need to consider when sewing your curtains, but the most important thing is to make sure that they fit together perfectly before actually using them. This may seem like a very minor part of the process but it's what will get everything right.
Also, choosing the right draperies when it comes to your curtains is crucial.
Happy sewing to all!
