How to Sew DIY Curtains at Home

New curtains are a functional way to add character to any room in your house. There are a number of different types of curtains to familiarize yourself with when you’re deciding which one you want for your home. Here are a few examples of different styles of curtain.

1. 1. Single panel: A single panel curtain is one large piece of fabric that covers your entire window when it is closed.
2. 2. Panel pair: A panel pair when two curtain panels are used to cover a window. They can be opened on either side of a window by sliding the curtains open on the curtain rod. Sometimes, you can tie them at the sides of the window to keep them open.
3. 3. Valance: A valance is a short curtain that hangs at the top of your window, and is often used over the top of larger curtains to hide the curtain rod.
4. 4. Window treatment set: A window treatment set is typically made up of a panel pair of curtains and a matching valance. The set may also include curtain ropes for tying the curtain open.
5. 5. Window tier: A window tier is a curtain that covers only the bottom half of a window, leaving the upper half of the window uncovered. This can give you privacy while letting in more outside light.
6. 6. Window scarf: A window scarf is a piece of fabric that has been draped over a curtain rod like a scarf to hide it, making it similar to a valance.

After deciding what kind of curtains you want in your house, you’ll need to decide what kind of fabric you want to make them out of. Here are a few tips to follow when you’re deciding which fabric to choose for your curtains.

1. 1. Consider what look you want for your windows. The same type of curtain will look different depending on what fabric you choose. For instance, if you want a refined, sumptuous look, go for a drapey fabric like velvet. Linen curtains will give you more of a breezy, casual look.
2. 2. Assess how much light you want to keep out or let in. Different materials of fabric will either let in or keep out different amounts of light. Voile curtains will let plenty of light filter in, while heavy cotton, velvet, or brocade can keep plenty of light out. If you want to make blackout curtains, consider making a liner curtain to put beneath your main curtains.
3. 3. Judge how easy the fabric is to clean. Certain curtain materials—like velvet or silk—are dry clean only and not as easy to clean and maintain as cotton or polyester curtains.

There are a number of fabrics that you can choose from to make your DIY curtains. Your choice depends on the aesthetic you want, how easy it is to clean, and how opaque the fabric is. Here are five popular fabrics that people use to make curtains.

1. 1. Cotton: Cotton is a lightweight fabric that drapes elegantly when it is lined properly. It is also easy to work with, making it a great choice for beginning sewers. Use tight weave cotton or line the curtain with a thick liner to block out light.
2. 2. Polyester: Polyester is lightweight, affordable, and is resistant to wrinkling or stretching. It is also easy for beginning sewers to work with. Polyester curtains are best for the living room or bedroom. The fabric is less suitable for kitchens, however, since it is flammable and may absorb odors.
3. 3. Linen: Linen is a natural fiber that drapes well and moves elegantly, especially in parts of your home that have a breeze.
4. 4. Velvet: Velvet curtains are a dramatic choice if you’re looking to achieve a luxurious look. The fabric naturally hangs heavy and blocks out plenty of light.
5. 5. Voile: Voile is an open-weave, sheer fabric that can be used to make curtains that obscure visibility while still letting in a lot of light. Voile works well for secondary sheer curtains behind heavier light-blocking curtains.

You can easily make curtains at home using a few common sewing materials. Here are the materials you'll need for sewing your own DIY curtains.

1. 1. Fabric: You may use cotton, polyester, linen, velvet, voile or another material to make your curtains. The amount you use will depend on the measurements of your window.
2. 2. Measuring tape: Use a measuring tape to take down the dimensions of your window, which will determine how much fabric you need.
3. 3. Sewing machine: Using a sewing machine will make this project far faster and sturdier than if you’re sewing by hand. However, if a sewing machine is too intimidating, you can use a simple needle to hand sew your curtains.
4. 4. Sewing thread: Choose a thread for your project that matches your fabric, so that you don’t have distracting visible seams.
5. 5. Fabric scissors: Invest in a pair of fabric scissors to lessen the possibility of your fabric fraying when you cut it.
6. 6. Straight pins: You will use straight pins to pin down your working pieces of fabric like the hems of your curtains.
7. 7. Iron and ironing board: You’ll need an iron and an ironing board to prepare the sides and bottom of your fabric to be hemmed into curtains.

Making your own curtains at home is an easy sewing project for beginners and experts alike. Follow this step-by-step curtain tutorial to add some flair to your home decor.

1. 1. Measure your window. Measure the length and width of the window that you plan to hang your curtains on. Using a tape measure, measure the length of your curtains from where the curtain rod will be to where you want your curtain to fall. Then measure the width of the window.
2. 2. Wash your fabric. Wash and dry your fabric before getting started with your project if you’re using a machine-washable fabric. This will prevent your fabric from shrinking and puckering at the seams after you've finished your curtains.
3. 3. Cut your fabric. When you’re measuring out your fabric to cut it, add eight inches for seam allowance on top of the length of your window measurement. When you’re measuring the width, decide how much you want the curtain to gather. Measure anywhere your fabric to be one-and-a-half to three times wider than your window if you want your curtains to have gathering.
4. 4. Sew the side hems of your curtains. You'll need to hem your fabric unless you want your curtains to have raw edges. On one side of your curtain, fold the fabric a half-inch over on its backside, ironing as you go to create a defined crease. Repeat this step and fold a half or full inch of fabric over the last crease and iron. Pin this pleat down using straight pins and sew the crease down using a sewing machine. Repeat this on the other side.
5. 5. Sew the bottom of the curtain. You may want a bigger hem on the bottom of your curtain than you made on the side of your curtains to balance out the top curtain pocket. Fold your bottom edge over a half inch and then up to five inches. Then sew the side edges of the bottom hem down.
6. 6. Sew the curtain rod pocket. To make a pocket for your curtain rod to run through, fold the top of the curtain over half an inch, then two inches, and sew the top edge down while leaving the sides open. This will give you a pocket you can slide a curtain rod through. You may want a different style of curtain pocket, such as hanging grommets which can be attached to your curtain, or fabric ties that you can loop onto your curtain rod.

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