Make Homemade Bedroom Curtains
Bedroom curtains can be made simply and at half the price of purchased ones. Choose a curtain rod and fabric that matches the style and color palette of your current bedroom décor. If you prefer a heavier curtain with sheers beneath them, simply purchase a double curtain rod or a separate basic curtain rod with a short incline, for the sheers, so both curtains will fit well against the window. Sheers can certainly be made in the same fashion as the heavier curtains, but the fabric is difficult to sew. Besides, they are fairly inexpensive to purchase.
Instructions
1. Measure the window across. Then, measure from the floor up to the location you will attach the curtain rod. Add 1 foot to the length of the measurement for purchasing fabric. Generally, fabric comes in 36-, 45- and 60-inch widths. Some upholstery fabric is made wider. The type of fabric you purchase will depend on the style of your bedroom. For a formal appearance you might choose silk, a linen mix or a thicker fabric. For a country décor you might choose a floral print or lighter weight material.
In deciding the width of each of your two curtain panels, also consider the décor. For a country or informal appearance, make each panel the same width as the window. For a more formal look you would only purchase fabric that is three quarters the width of your window for each panel.
2. Wash and dry your fabric before sewing to avoid shrinkage later (if it is washable). Cut and sew your fabric to get the proper width for the style of curtains you are making. Press any seams. Fold under (wrong side to wrong side) ¼ inch along the two long sides of each panel. For an informal appearance, fold another half inch and press. For a formal look, fold an inch and press. Pin and stitch along the first fold line of all panels.
3. Cut the tops of your curtains to make a straight, even line. This can be done with a t-square or with a rotary cutter, rotary ruler and mat. Press under ¼ inch at the top of both curtain panels. Fold and press under the width of your curtain rod plus ½ inch for a formal curtain. For a country or informal bedroom curtain, with a header (ruffle at the top), fold over the width of the curtain rod plus ½ inch, and an additional 2 to 3 inches according to your header preference. Press the folds on all panels.
4. Pin and stitch along the first fold. Hang one panel on the curtain rod. Using a pin, fold the bottom of the curtain under at the length you prefer. Remove the curtains and measure the pinned panel down from the pin. For an informal curtain, allow 1 ¼ inches or more for a hem and for a formal curtain 2 ¼ inches to 3 ¼ inches is appropriate. Cut the panels straight in the manner described earlier, making allowances for the hem. Fold each panel under ¼ inch, press, and then another 1 to 3 inches and press. Pin and stitch along the first fold.
5. Press your bedroom curtains with a steam iron, unless the fabric does not permit. Hang the curtains on the curtain rod. With the informal curtains you will pull the rod through the lower tube opening, leaving the top as the header or ruffle. You may purchase decorative cord or make hemmed strips of matching fabric to use for tie-backs, if you like.
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