Learn how to sew a simple decorative curtain for kitchen or bathroom. This sewing tutorial is beginner friendly and you only need a few supplies!
The Winter months have been busier as our family has grown and I’ve honed in on learning new skills. I have taken on more painting and sewing projects than in previous years.
One of the projects I’m just wrapping up is finishing re-doing the desk we are using for our coffee station. A finishing touch will be to add a decorative curtain to cover part of the desk.
I knew I also wanted to sew simple linen curtains for the small windows in our bathrooms. So, I set out to learn how I could sew something simple, yet useful to be just what I needed for those spaces. This specific curtain used for this tutorial ended up being used for our bathroom.
The best fabric to use for sewing curtains
The best fabric to use for sewing a simple decorative curtain is something light weight like linen. Depending on how much light you want to let in will determine the best fabric to use for your particular project. I plan to use dyed drop cloth for larger windows in the play room and boy’s room because I don’t want them to be as see through. For decorative curtains, however, I would not use that heavy duty of fabric.
Is this project customizable?
Yes! Simply use measurements for your own window or cabinet to find out how many yards of fabric you may need. I recommend getting enough fabric to sew all the curtain projects in one or more rooms of your home so the theme matches throughout.
These curtains utilize fabric straps for the curtain rod to run through. There is an even simpler way to sew the curtains for the rod, but I find this style to be more appealing. I recommend using a more neutral fabric for curtains to that you can dress up the room for different seasons and it will still match. Just stick to whatever your style is, get some fabric, and get to sewing!
Equipment you will need
- Sewing machine
- Fabric
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Thread to match the fabric
- Sewing pins
How to Sew a curtain DIY instructions
Begin by measuring the window or cabinet you are making the curtain for. Use your measuring tape to accomplish this. Then, write down the height and width.
Cutting dimensions for your curtain
Next, cut out the fabric for the curtain. Add 6 inches to whatever your width was and from whatever the height measurement was, subtract 2 inches. This is to allow for room for the straps and bunching of the curtain once it’s hung on the rod.
My window measured 28 inches wide by 34 inches tall. So, I cut my fabric piece 34 inches wide by 32 inches tall.
Next, cut out enough straps to place one every 4 inches. For example, since my window is 28 inches wide I needed to make 7 straps for the curtain.
Cut each strap 8 inches in height by 2 inches wide. These dimensions will allow for seam allowance and the folding of the straps.
Sewing the straps
Sew the straps first. To do so, fold the strap vertically, so that the wrong side is facing out, and stitch all the way down the seam.
Use a safety pin to pull the fabric right side out. Remove the safety pin.
Your straps should measure about 1.5 inches across now.
Top stitch down each side of the strap near the seam.
Sewing the curtain
Moving on to sewing the main piece of the curtain. To sew a hem, fold the sides in 1/2 an inch and press with an iron. Fold the sides a second time another 1/2 and press flat with an iron.
Sew all the way down the seam on each folded side of your fabric to create a top stitch.
Repeat for the other folded end of your fabric.
Do the same for the top of your curtain. To create a hem, fold the edge over 1/2 an inch and press with an iron. Repeat a second time to fold it over another 1/2 inch and press with your iron.
Attaching the straps
The next step is to attach the straps. To do so, fold the strap in half horizontally and attach one end to the back side of your curtain. Attach the other end of the strap to the front of the curtain.
Top stitch two lines to secure the strap. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to prevent unraveling.
Measure 4 inches from the strap you attached and repeat the above step to secure the next strap.
Repeat the above step to attach the remaining straps.
Top stitch all the way down the top of the curtain with two lines of stitching.
Hemming the bottom of the curtain
Fold the bottom end of the curtain up 1/2 inch and press flat with iron. Fold over another 1/2 inch and press. Stitch all the way down to secure the fold at the bottom of the curtain.
Slide the curtain straps onto a rod and voila, you made a curtain!
If you find this tutorial helpful to sew yourself a curtain, I’d love for you to give it 5 stars!
More beginner sewing projects from My abiding home:
How To Sew A Kitchen Tea Towel
Oven Mitts Easy DIY Sewing Tutorial
How To Sew A Curtain DIY Tutorial
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Pair of scissors
- Sewing pins
- Fabric measuring tape
Materials
- Light weight fabric
- Thread to match your fabric
Instructions
- Measure the window you are making the curtain for.
- Cut main piece of curtain 6 inches longer, lengthwise, than your window. Cut that same piece 2 inches shorter than the length, to allow for strap length.
- Cut fabric for straps 8 inches long by 2 inches wide. Cut enough straps to place one every 4 inches across your curtain. I used 9 straps total for my curtain.
Sewing the straps
- Fold strap in half, horizontally, wrong side out. Stitch all the way down the seam. Repeat for all straps.
- Attach a safety pin to one side of the fabric to pull it right side out. Repeat for the remaining straps to pull them right side out.
- Top stitch down each seam.
Hemming the sides of the curtain
- Fold the right and left sides of the main curtain piece over ½ inch. Press down with an iron. Fold it over another ½ inch. Press again with iron.
- Top stitch 2 lines down the length of the seam to secure the hem and make the hem aesthetically pleasing.
Attaching the straps
- Fold the strap in half horizontally and fold each raw edge up ½ inch. Place each side of the strap on either side of the main curtain piece.
- On the main piece of fabric fold in over ½ inch and press. Fold over another ½ inch and press.
- Pin or hold strap in place.
- Measure 4 inches and pin the next strap.
- Stitch all the across the top of the curtain to secure the hem and the straps. Be sure to remove the pins as you go so you do not sew over the pins.
- Sew a second line of top stitching across the top of the curtain.
Hemming the bottom of the curtain
- The last step is to hem the raw bottom edge of the curtain. Do so by folding it up ½ inch and pressing with an iron. Fold it over another ½ inch and press with iron.
- Stitch two separate lines all the way across the hem to secure it.
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