Hi all! It’s Michaela from Covered in Mod Podge again. Today I’m sharing a tutorial on how to make your own custom curtains.
I am slowly but surly adding touches to my daughter’s room to turn it from a nursery to a big girl’s room. You can check out my Ruffled Strip Quilt Tutorial and Magic Pillowcase Tutorial to see what I’ve accomplished so far.
I’ve been on the lookout for curtains for Emma’s room since I first put the nursery together. However, I never found the right look within my tiny budget. Making my own curtains opened a world of fabric options to me. These curtains only require sewing {mostly} straight lines. You honestly spend more time pressing than sewing. Anyone can make these! Plus the ribbon tabs give your curtains the custom curtain look without the expense of custom bought.
Want to make your own? You’ll need:
Fabric for curtain panels {Lime Scrumptious Dot}
1/2 yd fabric for ties {Pink Bias Stripe}
Pattern for ties…Click HERE for pattern.
2 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon
Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies
Hot glue/gun
Let’s start by figuring out how much fabric you’ll need. Measure from the top of your curtain rod to the ground. Add 2 1/2 inches {for the top seam}, 4 1/5 inches {for the bottom seam}, and 1 inch {for gathering}, to the curtain height. So you’ll need to add a total 8 inches for seam allowances. You’ll need this much fabric, per panel.
Pre-wash your fabric. Cut to the appropriate length. Then, press well.
Only a toddler and assorted cats are likely to see the back of the curtains. That makes everything much quicker. You’ll get to utilize the selvedges to your advantage.
We’ll start with the long {in my case 3 yard} seams first. Press your selvedge wrong sides together {about an inch} all along the length of your fabric. Pin occasionally to keep everything in place.
Sew along your selvedge, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end. Repeat for each side of each panel.
Now on to the top seam. Press the top down 1/2 inch and then down another 2 inches.
Sew, making sure to backstitch.
For the bottom, I like a wide hem. Press the bottom up 1/2 inch and then up again another 4 inches. Sew.
To make the ribbon tabs, I cut 3 inch long strips and then heat sealed the ends. I spaced the ribbon tabs every 4ish inches along the top of the curtain, using seven per panel.
Use hot glue to secure the tabs, creating a pocket for your curtain rod to fit through. Make sure you secure your ribbon at the top of the panel {NOT as I pictured. Trust me, it will turn out wonky if you glue as pictured. Not that I would know from experience or anything!}.
Hang your first curtain panel to make sure your measurements worked out right. Once you’re sure everything is perfect, sew up the rest of your panels.
Now for making the ties. Emma’s room has tiny {40 inch} windows. Therefore, I used one panel per window and tied in the center. You could used this same bow pattern for tying back two panels to the side.
Download the pattern for the bow. Cut out four per bow.
Place two pattern pieces right sides together and pin. Sew, going slowly around the curve. Leave the bottom open.
Clip carefully along the curve. Then, turn right side out. Press well.
On one bow piece, fold about 1/2 inch of the bottom in. Press. Slide the unfolded bow piece about 1/2 inch into the folded bow piece.
Sew along the fold, securing the two pieces together.
Tie in a knot around your curtain and you’re set!
Making your own curtains opens a wonderful world of fabric options to you. It’s also much easier than you would think!
Curtains are such a great way to freshen up a space or add a splash of color to a plain room. I love to make curtains and really love how incredible they look hanging up, adding a little something extra to your home. These easy custom curtains are so cute and the tie backs add the perfect touch of personality. Make your curtains fun and frilly or classic and simple. Whatever your taste, they will look exquisite.
To see more of Michaela’s creations, visit her at Covered in Mod Podge where she shares fun hand print ornaments, gorgeous bags, creative crafts to do with the kiddos, and so much more.
Are you in need, or your windows, in need of a little curtain makeover? We are here to help. Take a look a these other great curtain tutorials that will give your windows a whole new look and your room a little added personality.
For all of your curtain crafting needs, visit The Ribbon Retreat for terrific fabric colors, prints, and designs. We are fully stocked with gorgeous, gorgeous high quality fabric perfect for your brand new curtains. Come take a peek…but before you leave, subscribe to our blog so you won’t miss out on any of our great tutorials on everything from ribbon crafts and hair bows to gorgeous quilts and brilliant bags.
Happy Creating & Happy Curtains!
