Anyone else making their own curtains?

[r2d2ismyidealman]

I'm doing this for the first time. I've got 12 windows. Am happy with the curtains on 2 of them, I think a third does not actually need a curtain so that leaves me with 9 - and I'm willing to live for probably quite a long time with another. So I've got 8 curtains to make. I'm really scared about getting the measurements wrong and have spent ages this morning looking on different websites.

I'm multiplying by 1.5 to allow for gather. I haven't found a way of estimating yet for side and bottom hems.

I'm looking into black out materials and whether this can be one fabric or has to be two.

I want to do the side string thing that allows you to pull them without having to pull them - what's that called?!

Are you doing this too or have you done this? would love to hear your thoughts.

Most of mine were far less ambitious -- just light cotton/linen panels in white with little clips at the top and lops that slipped over the rails..

I did make Roman shades with a blackout lining however. They were simple and also pretty cheap. Measuring was really easy, and the mechanical aspect was also very easy to accomplish. However, I have tall sash windows.

Measuring guidelines (Levelor is an American custom window treatment company).

I think the style of curtain you are talking about is traverse rod curtains. The only person I know who has this style of curtains had them made professionally (sorry).

Hi mathanxiety, I'm probably aiming too high but the current curtains have set a high standard for me that I would like to try to emulate to some extent! I do need to make one roman blind. Thanks for the link to measuring guidelines. I got pretty lost in the internet this morning and the thought of spending so much money on material and getting the amount wrong sends chills through me!

I will google traverse rod curtains - thanks so much! One set of curtains is to go behind our bed and it's a real pain to reach across each morning so fingers crossed this is something I can work out!

Good luck! There's so much satisfaction in seeing your own work adorning your home imo.

Thanks!

I think you have underestimated for the width. I would do 2.0 to 2.3 as a multiplier for the width.
The "corded' tracks are no different as far as the curtains are concerned.
Where are you buying fabric? If a shop, they will help you if you supply track length and curtain length measurements.
White coloured blackout lining will give you a good blackout.

I have made lots.

They actually are quite simple, because you are dealing with a square. It helps if you have a large space to cut out.

I would allow:
x2 for width. It is important to measure the window correctly. A good curtain rail goes past the edge of the window so that once the curtains are open they sit on the wall next to the window, not covering the edge of the window and cutting out light. So, measure the full width of the curtain pole.
x 2 for gather (unless you have very heavy fabric or very small/tight windows)

length. Look at the window, how long do you want them? Do you have rediators under the windows that shouldn't be covered? Are they bedroom windows and you are concerned about light? If you are concerned about light, they need to be a bit longer to make sure the light doesn't leak from the bottom.
I would allow a good 10 cm (4 inches) for the hem, as the weight makes them hang better.
lining - you can buy blackout lining by the metre, it is quite thick to work with. You need pretty much the same amount as the top fabric, but you don't need a big hem. The hem of the lining sits a couple of cm above the hem of the fabric, and it only needs a 1 cm hem.

Sides - the fiddly bit is the sides, you need the top fabric to come round the edge and fold over, so you make (eg) the curtain 1m 10 cm wide, and the lining 1 m wide. You sew the two sides together, and then when you put it flat the top fabric comes round onto the lining side 5 cm on each side. then you press a fold down the top fabric, and it is done.

You buy the heading tape by the metre. easy to sew on (straight and flat) Turn the top edge under so it catches under the heading tape. You can buy tape in different widths, long heavy curtains need a wider stronger tape. The tapes come with different gathers - straight gathering, or gathers into pleats.

When you have the measurements, add on 1 cm onto every edge to allow for the seams.

phew bit of an essay!

Wow! !! Thanks so much. I think i will print all of this to read properly.

one more point

pattern. Is the fabric patterned and do you want the pattern to match on the seams, and/or match in the centre when the curtains are closed.

For example, my lounge curtains have a large flower. The pattern repeat (from one flower to the next flower the same) is about 40 cms (which is big) so I wanted the seams to be invisible. They are 2 m long, and very wide, so to work out length:

2m of fabric plus 15 cm turning and hems. Then to make them wide enough I need another 2m15cm piece next to the first. The 2 pieces sewn together make one curtain. To match the pattern, I needed an extra 40 cms of fabric so I could find the matching flower, and put it next to the flower on the first piece.

Does that make sense? Small all over patterns don't need matching, nor do stripes etc. And I probably wouldn't have gone to so much trouble for bedroom curtains. (it cost me 1.20 m extra fabric) but it was worth it for the lounge.

Thanks Stepmum! I plan to start with plain curtains so won't have this issue to contend with straight away thankfully! I will re-print this thread though so I have your suggestion - thank you!

If you already have curtains you like- use those as a guide. Measure the curtain width and pole and see what kind of fullness you have. Look at the side seams and hems and see how much the seams are turned over. What kind of header tape has been used...

I've made quite a few pairs of curtains and every time I say Never Again :) I'm not a fiddly details person though and struggle getting everything straight and even and the same size. My best advice is to make sure you have a big clear space where you can lay everything out properly. A good fabric shop will give you plenty of advice. You could also try the library, I was there yesterday and saw several curtain making books in the 'hobbies' section.

Brilliant advice on this thread.

I've made curtain quite a lot and I'm a very basic seamstress! I've not used curtain tape at all, I make tab top ones.

You need another metre of fabric (ish). Measure and cut for the curtains first, then cut smaller pieces for the tabs...say 15 cm wide by 25 cm long. Put the short edges together with right sides inside, and sew. Turn inside out and press, to make each tab.

These look a bit rustic and cottagey but you can make them up as you go,along and any mistakes aren't really noticeable as it's an informal look anyway. Great in a pretty fabric for DC bedrooms, on a wooden pole.

Ooo good luck. Planning is key.
I'm half way through a set for the living room (huge bay window size - 3mx2.8m) & side window (1mx2.8) & our bedroom (same dimensions).
I'm also doing roman blinds for 10 windows.
I started with the smallest blind just to get my head into sewing mode.
The curtains are so big that space is difficult & careful planning & folding is needed. All are lined with white blackout lining which makes them heavy but they hang nicely -I bought a large roll off Amazon for a reasonable price.
Planning is your friend.