How To Make Lined Curtains
Making your own curtains is easy-peasy, and making lined curtains is just one step up from the plain ol’ kind (and lined curtains last longer, provide a better screen for hot sunlight, and probably have some other benefits I’m not thinking of right now).
One side-effect I didn’t really expect is that making your own curtains is also very gratifying. I would recommend it on that point alone, although I also very much appreciate the economical points as well. In my world of work that is constantly undone, it’s so nice to have something that I can look at that I can think to myself, “Yeah! I did that! And look! It’s still done!” Kind of hard to wrap my mind around, come to think of it. Anyway, as I go from changing a diaper to washing the dishes, it’s nice to have a reminder that some of my efforts stick around for a bit longer.
When buying fabric for curtains, I recommend splurging and buying the fabric that you really want, not just whatever is cheapest. I know it’s sometimes hard, (it is for me anyway) to buy the nice upholstery weight fabric when just yards away (heehee! get it? – sorry, I’m a bit punchy tonight) is sitting a perfectly “alright” fabric for half the price or less. But this curtain is going to make a huge impact on your room. So go for the stuff you really like (if you’re watching your pennies, you can wait for a sale or coupon). Buy your liner fabric based on the intensity of the light you are trying to block. They sell “black out” liner, good especially in bedrooms where you want to block out the maximum amount of light. I just bought the regular stuff; perfect for my purposes.
For this tutorial, I’ve used the measurements I used to make floor-length curtains for my own window, which is 67” wide x 49” tall, with the curtain rod about 87” off the floor. However, you can easily adapt these instructions for any size window. Also, please read through the instructions before you start – you may find something I did that you would rather do differently and need to adjust accordingly.
- Cut your fabric. I want my curtains to be a little long so I cut my decorative fabric (hereafter referred to as “DF”) 94” x 55”, and cut the liner 92” x 47” (2” less than the DF at the bottom, and 4” less on either side), leaving room for a 7” hem at the bottom of each, and 4-6” for the rod pocket at the top.
UPDATE: A handy rule of thumb here – figure out how long you want your finished curtain to be, then add the extra inches you need for your rod pocket at the top and your hem at the bottom (in this case, my “formula” for the DF looked like this: fabric length = finished length + 4”[rod] + 7”[hem]). Then you can figure out the measurements for the liner fabric based on that.
Now you get to start the fun part – sewing! :u) - Hem both the DF and the liner. With the wrong side facing you and the edge of the fabric intended for the lower edge of the drape pointed toward you, fold the bottom edge up 2” and press, then 5” more and press.
- Now you are going to do something called a “blind hem”. If you’ve never done one before, this video by Jenny T. (I don’t know who she is, but she makes a mean “how to” video!) is a helpful tool to give you an idea of what it is and how to do it:
(note: The video says to do this hem you need to get a special blind hem foot for your sewing machine. In actuality, you don’t really need a special foot to do this hem, but I imagine it would be helpful. When I did this project I actually didn’t realize there was such a thing as a blind hem foot, and just used my regular presser foot, while sewing carefully – I think I used the inside curve of the foot as a guide. My hem was perhaps a teensy bit more wobbly than it would have been otherwise, but I think it turned out fine)
Here’s my hem, all set up for me to sew it up with my super-special blind hem stitch (Actually I have a very basic machine, so I imagine nearly all machines have this stitch or something comparable or better. But don’t tell my sewing machine. It thinks that it’s a super special blind hem stitch, and we might as well let it. It just makes my sewing machine so happy.)
If all this nonsense about blind hems just makes your head hurt, just do a regular hem – follow step 1 as directed, and then just go ahead and sew a straight seam across. I do encourage you to try, though – it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, and it gave me a great sense of accomplishment. And I learned how to sew a blind hem! - Now, sew up the sides with a 1/2” seam allowance. This isn’t tricky at all – just turn both your DF and the liner right side together (as if you were making a pillow), and sew up both sides. Make sure you match up the edges of the fabric from the top down.
You will end up with extra DF at the bottom and center. This is okay. It’s all part of the plan. I like lots (okay, 2”) of extra DF at the bottom (I think I saw a hanging curtain like that once – I don’t know if there’s a reason for the extra fabric), but if you prefer less, you can plan accordingly (cut more liner, or hem it up less). - Turn everything right side out, and press. You will have extra DF; make your crease with 2” (on either side) of the extra DF. This is where the extra 2” in the cutting guide image above comes in handy. Take a look at it if you’re confused.
- Next, you want to sew a seam all the way down both sides, to hold the crease you just made in place.
- Lastly, make the pocket for your curtain rod. Fold the top (both the liner fabric and the DF) over 1” and press, and 3 more inches and press again. Sew along the bottom of this tube, making a tube that is about 3” tall.
Yay! You’re done! Hang your curtain and step back and admire your brilliant (and lasting!) handiwork!
Feel free to add your own recommendations and/or corrections to my instructions in the comments (I especially appreciate these, so don’t hold back!)
These are beautiful Anna. I love them. I’ll have to tell my sister in law – she being the one who owns a nice sewing machine (not me. :( )
— megan Sep 23, 08:13 AM #Absolutely lovely! I need to make some of those for my house.
— erika Oct 1, 08:48 AM #I have struggled for a year trying to find fabric. These curtains are just stunning. I love the simplicity and the fabric is just wonderful. I needed the inspiration….
— Karla Neumann Oct 23, 01:35 AM #Megan and Erika – thank you so much! I’m glad you like it! Karla – I’m so happy my tutorial inspired you! Please let me know if you do try it out – I hope it works out great for you!
— Anna W Oct 23, 10:27 AM #I realize that I am SOOOO late reading this post but I wanted to say you are a godspend. I was trying to do the calculations in my head and I could smell the smoke. Just wondering where did you get that fantastic fabric?
— Jade Mar 25, 09:16 AM #Hi, Jade! I’m so glad my tut helped you! I found the fabric at Hancock’s (on sale!). I think it was in the upholstery fabric section or something. It was awhile ago, but it’s possible they still have it, or something comparable. Good luck! :u)
— anna w Mar 25, 10:57 AM #Hi Anna
I got onto this page via a search for how to make lined curtains. Thank you for your curtain instructions! I liked the included video clip for blind hem (your added comments were helpful) & the pics of your project. Am about to try this, will be getting material soon. I also wanted to say that while I was here I browsed some other topics in your blog and I really liked the spiritual section.
Ver
— Ver Apr 22, 12:09 PM #Hi Anna!
— Jodie Jul 15, 10:26 AM #I love your website. I have now purchased my DF and I did not let price inhibit what I really wanted (thank goodness it was on sale!) You have convinced me to use the blackout backing and I am going to try the blind hem stitch. I haven’t sewn in years, but I recently decided it was time again.
Thanks for the great help!
Jodie
Thank you Anna for your extremely clear and confidence-building instructions. I am sure, thanks to you,that I will finish the nursery curtains for my grandson, who is due any day now, before he makes his grand entrance.
— Carol Sep 6, 07:51 AM #Hi Anna
Just finished my first panel and it is beautiful! Way easier than I thought. The blind hem video was especially helpful. What I spent for the DF for four panels would have bought only one ready made. Thanks!!
— leslie Sep 17, 12:13 PM #Hi Anna,
Thanks for the tutorial! I am curious if you can recommend a fabric for the liner that would serve as a thermal backing?
thanks!
— jen Oct 9, 08:36 AM #Thanks for adding the blind hem stitch video. It was really helpful. It is good to see it in action, and not just details about how to do it. I also love your fabric choice for the curtains.
— Kari Oct 29, 03:09 PM #Great blog! these curtains are gorgeous, love the pattern. I found this to be useful too:
/www.life123.com/hobbies/sewing-quilting/sewing/making-basic-curtains.shtml
— Lydia Nov 19, 12:05 PM #Can’t wait to get started. Really like your curtains. Thanks!
— Meshelle Jan 28, 11:50 AM #