Perfect Curtain Tips: - When making cafe curtains out of thin material, a good rule of thumb is to use a piece of fabric cut 2-1/2 times the width of the window. If a plain treatment is desired, select a thick fabric, such as tapestry. This type of curtain panel requires fabric cut 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 the width of window.
- Measure length of window from the top outside of the window frame to the bottom outside. For rooms with various-sized windows, make curtains for each window in the dimensions of the largest window to achieve a more uniform look.
- Casing style curtains require 4" of additional fabric at the top and bottom of the curtain panel. Press fabric edges under 1/4", then press and stitch a 3 3/4" hem. Use a scrap of fabric to determine the width to make a curtain rod pocket. Wrap the fabric around the circumference of the rod and mark the length. Place fabric scrap on ruler to find the length to make the curtain rod pocket.
- To make gathered curtains using shirring tape, create a 1/2" top hem and a wide bottom hem for the curtain panel. Stitch shirring tape to top of curtain panel. To help hold strings in place while gathering the curtain panel, tape strings of shirring tape on one end before pulling the strings. Stitch between each channel of the shirring tape.
Tab Tie CurtainsLine the back of these curtains to create a nice look for the outside of the house and to make the curtains thicker.
Materials:
tab tie fabric pieces cut 3" x 14" long
fabric for curtain panel
complimentary fabric for curtain lining - number of tab ties and fabric amounts needed depend on window size.
Steps:
- Make tab ties by folding the 3" width of material in half, right sides together. Stitch seams along one end and the open edge. Turn the tab ties right side out and press. Fold tab ties in half along the 14" length. Stitch each tie at the fold.
- Cut a length of fabric to dimensions determined by window frame size. Allow for 3/4" hems on each side, 5/8" top seam allowance and approximately 3" bottom hem allowance.
- Position curtain panel fabric, right side down, flat on a work surface. Place tab ties on top of curtain panel, lining up the folded and stitched ends of the ties along the top of the curtain panel. Place a tab at each end of the curtain panel, then space remaining tabs 5" to 6" apart between the two end tabs. Pin to secure.
- Cut lining fabric to window dimensions. Place lining fabric right side down on top of curtain panel, sandwiching the tab ties in between the two pieces of fabric. Position the lining fabric even with the top of the curtain panel. Pin to secure.
- Stitch through all layers at the top of the curtain panel using a 5/8" seam allowance. Turn fabric right side out and press.
- With lining side up, fold sides of curtain panel piece back onto the lining fabric. Fold under curtain panel sides and stitch to hem. Repeat process for bottom hem.
