How to make curtains yourself

Curtains are easily available ready-made nowadays. They can be obtained in different designs and styles. A less expensive and more personalised way to get your curtains is to make them yourself. This article will describe how to make curtains yourself.

History

The first curtains were the skins of animals hung over openings. They were meant as a means to privacy and warmth rather than to provide a view. In ancient Egypt, linen, wool, silk and cotton replaced skins and began to be a way to demonstrate wealth and design. In the Middle Ages, curtains were again used for warmth. They were hung on the walls as well as over doors and windows. As glass started to cover windows, curtains started to become decorative again.

Preparation

Measure the window and buy the supplies The first step is to measure the window or windows for which you wish to make a curtain. Measure from the top of the casement to the floor as well as the width. A quick way to judge the amount of fabric that you need is to consider that only one of the curtains needs to be the width of the entire window. Alternatively, both curtains together, will be twice the width of the window Purchasing the supplies - Buy the fabric that you need to sew the curtains, thread, a lining fabric (if you wish to make fully lined curtains) and straight pins. - Buy curtain rods if you do not have any at home. - Cut the cloth to the dimensions that you need, if this has not already been done at the fabric store.

Construction

Curtains - Lay the fabric on the right-side down. - Hem the sides and the bottom. - Fold over the top of the fabric (about four inches) and secure it in place. - Make a second seam of an inch to two inches apart. That will serve as the channel for the curtain rod. Make sure that the second seam begins at least two more inches from the top of the curtain. - Repeat for the other curtain until you have completed the two. - Thread the curtain rod through the channels, on the back of the curtains and hang them. Liners - If you wish to have fully lined curtains, make the liners in the same fashion as you did the curtains. - When you are done, fold over the top of the liner and tuck it inside the top fold of the curtain. - Make sure that the hems of the lining are facing the back of the curtain. - Follow the rest of the steps for the curtains construction.