Friday, January 14, 2011

Fast and Easy Curtain

We are finally finished with the remodel of the other half bath on the main floor. I was wanting a curtain for the room, so I looked through my scraps of material and found a yard of leftover fabric that matched the room. It is hard to tell from the photos, but it is a brown fabric with light blue designs on it. I had originally purchased the material as a test for the kitchen, but found that it just looked too dark in the room. It was the perfect way to use up the material!

This tutorial is the fastest curtain ever! From start to finish, it took about 15 minutes. By the way, if you don't have a sewing machine you can use iron on tape. I recently purchased a sewing machine, but for all my other curtains I have made I used iron on tape.

First, lay your material out flat. You will have to determine how much material you need for your size of window. The window I had was small, so a yard is enough. Rule of thumb is to get the material the length of your window plus your pocket height times two and add an extra four inches for the hemming and hanging. For example, if your window is 40 inches long and you need a 4 inch pocket, you would need your material length to be: 40 + 8 + 4 = 52" long.

As for width, I like to make it about 6 inches longer than the window so it will gather a little, it's really up to you.
Next determine your height for your tie-back. This is optional but I think it makes the curtain look more finished. I chose a tie back to be about 2 inches tall, so I cut the material to be about 5 inches tall. Sew a 1 inch hem around the entire length of the material for the window. Make sure you are sewing the hem on the backside of the materiel. You want the nice side facing out. Next, sew your pocket for your rod. My rod is almost 4 inches tall, so I made a four inch pole pocket. Many rods only require 2 inches, so just measure your rod.
Next hang your curtain. You could be finished at this point if you want. I wanted a tie back, so the next steps are for the tie back. Determine the height of your tie back and fold your material to the height you would like it to be. I wanted mine to be about 2 inches tall. Turning your materiel to have the backside facing out, sew along the edge. Turn the material right side out. The seam you sewed should be tucked in now.
With your curtain hanging, wrap your tie back around it and determine the circumference needed for the look you want. Sew the edges together to make the circumference you would like for the tie back.
Trim down the seam and turn the tie back right side out so that the seam is tucked in. It should look like this.
Place it on your curtain and you are finished!




~Beth

2 comments:

An Oasis in the Desert said...

I like that chocolate brown fabric. Good job!
CAS

irishrunner said...

I'm going to make one of these tomorrow! You've inspired me. I bought the fabric months ago to make a curtain for the large window in my back door. I just didn't know where to start - so thank you!

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